Chronicles of Border Warfare,

Or A History of the Settlement by the Whites, of North-Western Virginia:  And of the Indian Wars and Massacres in that Section of the State; with Reflections, Anecdotes, etc.

by Alexander S. Withers

Clarksburg, VA:  Joseph Israel, 1831 

Hardback is overall in GOOD condition.

• Original brown leather binding with label on spine and stamped title. 
• Boards show heavy wear, with leather worn away in patches, heavy edgewear to boards.    Corners are rounded, worn and frayed.  See photos.  
• Spine has label with stamped text, gilt effaced.  Spine is worn w/ gatherings and stitching showing at foot end.  Ends are chipped.  See photos.  
• Binding is fragile, with some loose pages, as at pg. 80.  See photos. 
• Front end papers are missing; pastedowns and feps are toned and stained, with foxing, a name in ink at rear fep.  See photos. 
• Interior is age-toned, exhibits moderate foxing and staining throughout, page corners are worn.  Title page has initials in ink.  See photos.  
  
• Text block edges are chipped and worn.  See photos. 
• PS2023.0914

319 pages. 4.25 x 7 inches

This is a first edition of one of the classic books concerning the hostile settlement of the Ohio country.  The Chronicles of Border Warfare by Alexander S. Withers (1792-1865) is considered by Western antiquarians to form the best account of frontier life and Indian warfare that has been printed.

An excellent example of the genre of frontier history, the book focuses on the American settlement throughout the northwestern portion of colonial Virginia (an area which today encompasses parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) from the French and Indian War to the Battle of Fallen Timbers, and the ensuing clashes with the indigenous population.  While the watershed events of the advancing frontier (the arrival of scouts, establishment of forts, and the ultimate triumph of the U.S. Army) give a structure to Withers' account, what the book is really about are detailed, often grisly, descriptions of contacts between the races.  While the Chronicles purport to be essentially historical in nature, genealogists will appreciate the numerous references to the intrepid scouts and settlers along the frontier furnished by the author. 

Because this book was issued in a remote corner of Northwestern Virginia, and designed for local consumption, most copies were read until scarcely legible.

AS IS! Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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