Publications of the Southern History Association (Volume 6) (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: DISCOVERY OF LAKE SUPPERNONG (PHELPS), NORTH CAROLINA. With Notes By Maj. George P. Collins. The following account of the discovery of Lake Scuppernong, formerly known as Lake Phelps, in Tyrrell and Washington counties. N. C., was prepared about a century ago for Dr. Hugh Williamson's History of North Carolina (Philadelphia, 1812, 2 vols.) by an author whose name has been forgotten. The name Phelps still appears on most of the State maps, although Mr. Josiah Collins (3rd) rebaptized it by its Indian name, Scuppernong, and by which name it should be known. The following note found among the papers of Josiah Collins (1st) in a handwriting which appears in many of his papers and accounts, although it is not known for whom the initials L. S. stand, gives a more definite account in names and dates than the contributor to Williamson, and one which has been more generally accepted as the notes of Major Collins show.?Eds. "Lake Phelps was first discovered, Aug. 23d, 1755, by Josiah Phelps, James Phelps, Edward Phelps. Edward Massell, John Tarkinton and Benjamin Tarkinton. Benjamin Tarkinton claims the discovery of the Lake by climbing a tree and seeing the water first?and Josiah Phelps claims the discovery by getting into the water first." The contributor to Williamson says: In giving a geographical account of the State, perhaps the following account of Lake Phelps may be worthy of a place in your History of North Carolina. In the County of Tyrrell, which borders on Albemarle Sound, there is one of those large Swamps or pocosens, so often to be met with in the Southern parts of America.?The one I am now speaking of, from its immense extent and impervious nature, has acquired the appellation of The Great Dismal, and until a few years past, this large Tract of Country w...