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, &c

Clarksburg, VA: Joseph Israel, 1831. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. First Edition. Alexander Scott Withers (1792 - 1865) was a lawyer, Virginia slave owner, magistrate, and teacher. This book describes events spanning from the French and Indian War (1754) through the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794). Withers prided himself on researching this book, which included reading historical source material and personally interviewing several pioneers. It includes many graphic accounts of massacres. Withers fathered several children with one of his mulatto slaves - and later sold both the slave and his own children, which spurred an article in Harper's Weekly on the question of white slaves. During his teaching career, Withers taught future General "Stonewall Jackson" for at least one year (Wikipedia).

Bound in full dark brown leather with gilt title label to spine. Rubbing and wear to leather along hinges and edges of boards. Dampstaining to boards and interior, heaviest on first and last few pages. Red numeric stamp to bottom of title page. Ownership signature dated 1835 to rear endpapers. Pencil calculations to rear endpaper. Foxing, staining, and occasional soiling throughout, but a good reading copy. Interior front hinge is a little loose, but boards remain firmly attached. Chipping to edges of some pages. Front free endpaper is present, but detached with a loss. 319 pages plus 4 pages of Contents and 1 page of advertisements. (Howes W601) AMER/011921.