Beginning' a classic North Carolina book . . .
LAWSON
S HISTORY I
Mop shoos route Looson took through North Corolino to golhcr motcriol lor his "History." He
entered the stole ol obout Chorlotte, rode north to the vicinity ol Salisbury, crossed the Yodkin. ond
then crossed Abbott's Creek in Do.idson County, went oround south ol present-doy Burlington, touched
the site ol Hillsboro, crossed the Foils ol the Ncuse, then lolloucd thot river olmost to the coast, turn-
ing north and crossing Contcntnea Creek near Grilton, and the Tar at Greenville, proceeding to "the
English settlements," probobly Both.
Being excerpts from the
famous travel diary of
John Lawson, gentleman
and surveyor, martyr of
the Tusearora Wars.
The Indians of these Paris use
Sweating very much. If any Pain seize
their Limbs or Body, immediately they
take Reeds or small Wands and bend
them Umbrella-Fashion, covering them
with Skins and Matchcoats. They have
a large Fire not far off, wherein they
heat Stones, or (where they arc want¬
ing), Bark; putting it into this Stove,
which casts an extraordinary Heat,
There is a Pot of Water in the Bagnio,
in which is put a Bunch of an Herb,
bearing a Silver Tassel, not much un¬
like the A urea Virga. With this Vege¬
table they rube the Head. Temples and
other Parts, which is reckoned a Pre¬
server of the Sight and Strengthcncr
of the Brain. We went this day about
twelve Miles, one of our Company be¬
ing lame of his Knee.
We passed over an exceeding rich
Tract of Land, affording Plenty of
great free Stones, marble Rocks and
abounding in many pleasant and de¬
lightful Rivulets.
At noon we stayed and refreshed
ourselves at a Cabin, where we met
with one of their War-Captains, a Man
of great Esteem among them. At his
Departure from the Cabin, the Man
of the House scratched this War-
Captain on the Shoulder, which is
looked upon as a very great Compli¬
ment among them.
The Captain went two or three Miles
on our way with us to direct us in our
Path. One of our Company gave him a
Belt, which he took very kindly, bid¬
ding us call at his House, (which was
in our Road,) and stay till the lame
Traveler was well, and speaking to the
Indian to order his Servant to make
us welcome. Thus we parted, he being
on his Journey to the Congcrces and
Savannas, a famous, warlike, friendly
Nation of Indians, living to the South-
End of Ashley River. He had a Man-
10
Slave with him who was loaded with
European Goods, his Wife and Daugh¬
ter being in Company. He told us, at
his Departure, that James had sent
Knots to all the Indians thereabouts,
for every Town to send in ten Skins,
meaning Captain Moor, then Governor
of South Carolina.
The Towns being very thick herea¬
bouts, at Night we took up our Quar¬
ters at one of the chief Men’s Houses,
which was one of the Theatres I spoke
of before. There ran, hard by this
Town, a pleasant River, not very large,
but, as the Indians told us, well stored
with Fish. We being now among the
powerful Nation of Esaws, our Land¬
lord entertained us very’ courteously,
showing us, that Night, a pair of
Leather-Gloves which he had made;
and comparing them with ours, they
proved to be very ingeniously done,
considering it was the first Tryal.
In the Morning, he desired to sec the
lame Man’s affected Part, to the end
he might do something which (he be¬
lieved) would give him case. After he
had viewed it accordingly, he pulled
out an Instrument, somewhat like a
Comb, which was made of a split Reed
with fifteen Teeth of Rattle-Snakes, set
at much the same distance as in a large
Horn-Comb. With these he scratched
the place where the Lameness chiefly
lay till the Blood came, bathing it both
before and after Incision, with warm
Water, spurted out of his Mouth. This
done, he ran into his Plantation and
got some Sassafras Root, (which grows
here in great plenty), dried it in the
Embers, scraped off the outward Rind,
and having beat it betwixt two Stones,
applied it to the Part afflicted, binding
it up well. Thus, in a day or two, the
Patient became sound.
This day we passed through a great
many Towns and Settlements that be¬
long to the Sugcrce Indians, no barren
Land being found amongst them, but
great plenty of Free-Stone and good
Timber.
About three in the Afternoon we
reached the Kadapau King’s House,
where we met with one John Stewart,
a Scot, then an Inhabitant of James-
Rivcr, in Virginia, who had traded
there for many Years. Being alone, and
hearing that the Sinnagcrs (Indians
from Canada) were abroad in that
Country, he durst not venture home¬
wards till he saw us. having heard that
we were coming above twenty days be¬
fore. It is very odd that News should
fly so swiftly among these People. Mr.
Stewart had left Virginia ever since the
October before, and had lost a day of
the Week, of which we informed him.
He had brought seven Horses along
with him, loaded with English Goods
for the Indians, and having sold most
of his Cargo, told us if we would stay
two Nights he would go along with us.
Company being very acceptable, we
accepted the Proposal.
THE STATE. FEBRUARY 20. 1960