Knowledge of colonial roads can help with understanding Skaggs family migrations prior to 1800. Below is a map of the system of roads in colonial America.
If you are interested in how Maryland Skaggs might have ended up in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina just check out the analysis below the fold.
The Long Hunters
James and Rachel Skaggs, parents of the famous Long Hunter Skaggs, most likely migrated from the Virginia Northern Neck (Fredericksburg) to the New River Valley prior to 1746. The would have likely hooked up with the Great Valley Road (green line) at either Winchester or Staunton and traveled south to the New River Valley just beyond Roanoke.
Charles and John (Gourdhead) Skaggs were listed in the Pittsylvania County, Virginia tax list of 1767. Pittsylvania was newly formed from Halifax County. They could easily travel to the New River Valley by picking up the southern branch of the Great Valley Road (dashed green line) at Martinsville.
Archibald Skaggs, son of Charles the Long Hunter, attested in his military pension application that he was born in South Carolina in 1759. As a child, Archibald likely traveled the Upper Road (brown line) from Greenville, South Carolina to Salisbury, North Carolina, then the southern branch of the Great Valley Road (dashed green line) to Roanoke and the New River Valley.
Aaron Skaggs
In 1755 Aaron Skaggs was in the Orange County, North Carolina tax list. Aaron likely descended from the Prince George's County, Maryland Skaggs family and was likely the father of Aaron Skaggs Jr. of Virginia and later Kentucky. He likely traveled down the King's Highway (blue line) from Georgetown, Maryland to Fredericksburg, Virginia then the Upper Road (brown line) to Hillsborough, North Carolina in Orange County.
"Hunting" Henry Skaggs, son of Aaron, attested in his military pension application that he was born in South Carolina in 1759 and knew his cousin Archibald Skaggs all his life. Henry's father Aaron likely traveled from Hillsborough, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina using the Upper Road (brown line).
Catawba Trail |
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