meriwether lewis survey @ cumberland gap

Meriwether Lewis Survey @

Cumberland GapSurveyors Historical Society Surveyors Historical Society

Rendezvous 2012Rendezvous 2012Council Bluffs, IowaCouncil Bluffs, IowaSeptember 13, 2012September 13, 2012

34°

45°

41° In the In the beginning, beginning, all America all America

was was Virginia.Virginia.

38°

Dividing LineDividing Line VA & VA & NCNC

1660s Charles II (Merry 1660s Charles II (Merry Monarch) created the colony Monarch) created the colony of Carolina for his eight Lords of Carolina for his eight Lords ProprietorsProprietorsGrant describes the bounds Grant describes the bounds between Virginia and Carolinabetween Virginia and Carolina

““To run from the north end of To run from the north end of Coratuck Inlet, due west to Coratuck Inlet, due west to Weyanoke creek, lying within Weyanoke creek, lying within or about the degree of thirty-or about the degree of thirty-six and thirty minutes of six and thirty minutes of northern latitude, and from northern latitude, and from thence west, in a direct line, thence west, in a direct line, as far as the South sea.”as far as the South sea.”


Beginning Point for the Beginning Point for the dividing line—uncertain dividing line—uncertain Colonists petition British Colonists petition British Crown to settle the issueCrown to settle the issue1727 George I set Point 1727 George I set Point Comfort as the Point of Comfort as the Point of Beginning for surveysBeginning for surveysLocation for Beginning Location for Beginning Point drawn from Point drawn from Virginia’s second charterVirginia’s second charter

Dividing LineDividing Line VA & VA & NCNC1728 First Survey1728 First SurveyWilliam Byrd II was one of William Byrd II was one of the Commissioner for the Commissioner for VirginiaVirginiaExtended 241 miles from the Extended 241 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to Peters Atlantic Ocean to Peters CreekCreekJournal became a book titled Journal became a book titled The History of the Dividing The History of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and Line Betwixt Virginia and North CarolinaNorth CarolinaThe Secrete HistoryThe Secrete History


1749 Second Survey1749 Second SurveyPerformed by Joshua Fry & Peter Jefferson Performed by Joshua Fry & Peter Jefferson for Virginiafor VirginiaWilliam Churton and Daniel Weldon for William Churton and Daniel Weldon for North CarolinaNorth CarolinaExtended line 88 miles to Steep Rock CreekExtended line 88 miles to Steep Rock Creek

This is a Plan of the Line between Virginia and~North Carolina which was run in the Year 1728 in the Spring and Fall from the

Sea to Peter’s Creek by the ~Honourable (sic) William Byrd William Dandridge and Richard Fitzwilliams Esquires Commissioners and Mr. Alexander Irvine and Mr. William Mayo Surveyors~and from Peter’s Creek to

Steep Rock Creek was continued in The Fall of the Year 1749 by~

Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson

University of University of VirginiaVirginia


1779 Third Survey1779 Third SurveyFraught with Fraught with difficultiesdifficulties

Location of Location of starting pointstarting pointDisagreement Disagreement between VA & between VA & NC commissionsNC commissions

Thomas Walker & Thomas Walker & Daniel SmithDaniel SmithRichard Henderson Richard Henderson & William B. Smith& William B. Smith

NC Commissioners left in protestNC Commissioners left in protest Left gaps unsurveyedLeft gaps unsurveyed Surveyed to Tennessee River—Surveyed to Tennessee River—

marked at 36º 40’—some 12 miles to marked at 36º 40’—some 12 miles to the norththe north

Thomas Walker (1715-1794) and Daniel Smith Thomas Walker (1715-1794) and Daniel Smith (1748-1818), Survey of the Virginia-North Carolina (1748-1818), Survey of the Virginia-North Carolina Boundary Line West of the Allegheny Mountains.Boundary Line West of the Allegheny Mountains.

Pencil and pen and ink. The Library Pencil and pen and ink. The Library of Virginia.of Virginia.

Walker – Smith Map of 1779 -1780Walker – Smith Map of 1779 -1780From Steep Rock Creek to the Tennessee RiverFrom Steep Rock Creek to the Tennessee River

Appalachian Appalachian MountainsMountains

Cumberland GapCumberland Gap

Tunnel Opened in Tunnel Opened in October 1996October 1996

CumberlandCumberland GapGap

State State LinesLines

17891789

17881788

17921792

1790—North 1790—North Carolina ceded Carolina ceded western land western land claim 1792—claim 1792—Virginia ceded Virginia ceded

remaining remaining western land western land

claimclaim

17961796

36º 30’36º 30’36º 40’36º 40’

CumberlaCumberland Gapnd Gap

Meriwether Meriwether LewisLewis

@ @ CumberlaCumberla

nd Gapnd Gap

Newly returned Newly returned from the from the transcontinental transcontinental expeditionexpeditionMuch publicity in Much publicity in the newspapersthe newspapersMany parties Many parties given in their given in their honorhonorTraveling with an Traveling with an entourageentourage

Lewis & Clark areLewis & Clark areCelebritiesCelebrities

Return TripReturn TripLewis and Clark Lewis and Clark

separate at Locust separate at Locust GroveGrove

Lewis and Clark arrive Lewis and Clark arrive at St. Louis Sept. 23, at St. Louis Sept. 23,

18061806

Lewis arrives at Cumberland Lewis arrives at Cumberland Gap November 20, 1806Gap November 20, 1806

Chouteau and Chouteau and Osage departOsage depart

Lewis’s ReputationLewis’s ReputationPrecedes himPrecedes himWell experienced explorerWell experienced explorerHandpicked by JeffersonHandpicked by JeffersonTrained by experts in the Trained by experts in the fields of surveying & fields of surveying & mathematicsmathematics

Andrew Andrew EllicottEllicott

In 1784 at age 30, finished surveying the Mason-Dixon Line

From 1791 to 1792 at age 38, surveyed Wash DC

In 1796 at age 42, surveyed Spanish – US boundary

In 1803 at age 49 was a mentor for Lewis

In 1813 at age 59 accepted position at West Point. Died in 1820.

Robert PattersonRobert PattersonProfessor of MathematicsMember of the American Philosophical SocietyMentor for LewisAdvise on surveying instruments

University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

November 23, November 23, 18061806

MeriwetheMeriwether Lewis r Lewis

conducted conducted a survey @ a survey @ CumberlanCumberlan

d Gapd Gap

Are you Are you acquainted acquainted

with this with this book? book? Original Original

Copyright Copyright 19471947John John

BakelessBakeless

Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Page 379Page 379

NotesNotesPage 481Page 481

Interpreted Interpreted Cryptic Cryptic Note to Note to Mean…Mean…

Calendar of Calendar of Virginia State Virginia State

PapersPapersJanuary 1, 1799 January 1, 1799 to December 31, to December 31,

18071807Volume IXVolume IX

Pages 504-506Pages 504-506Pages 504-Pages 504-

505505Pages 505-506Pages 505-506

The CertificateThe CertificateRequest for surveyRequest for surveyReason for the surveyReason for the surveyLocation of surveyLocation of surveyInstruments usedInstruments usedMethods appliedMethods appliedData findingsData findingsConclusions drawnConclusions drawnDisposition of CertificateDisposition of Certificate

Certificate ContentsCertificate Contents Walling’s, Nov. 23d, Walling’s, Nov. 23d, 18061806

This day in compliance with the request of certain gentlemen,

Request for SurveyRequest for SurveyI undertook to settle the latitude of a line usually denominated Walker’s line, formerly dividing the states of Virginia and North Carolina.

Reason for SurveyReason for Survey

The position selected for this observation was near the habitation of a Mr. E. Walling [Elisha Walling]two hundred yards south of said line, and about two miles distant from Cumberland Gap.

Location of SurveyLocation of Survey The instruments used in this observation were a Sextant on the most approved plan, with a reversing Telescope for an eye piece, and a good micrometer, and artificial horizon, in which water was used as the reflecting surface.

Instruments UsedInstruments Used

With these instruments, I took the meridian altitude of the sun’s lower limb, and calculated the latitude;

Methods AppliedMethods Appliedfrom which it appeared that the place of observation was in North latitude 36° 38’ 12 1-10;

Data FindingsData Findings if, therefore, the charters of the states of North Carolina and Virginia call for a parallel of latitude at 36° 30’ N. as a boundary between them, the line of Walker is nine miles and 1,077 yards North of its proper position.

Conclusions DrawnConclusions DrawnThis statement, I have given to Colonel Arthur Campbell, at his request, to be presented to the public view, in any manner he may think proper.

Disposition of CertificateDisposition of Certificate MERIWETHER LEWIS, Captain

1st U. S. Regt. Inft.

Probably one of the “certain gentlemen”Probably one of the “certain gentlemen”Fought in F&I—served in Virginia militiaFought in F&I—served in Virginia militiaFarmer & Grist Mill Owner Farmer & Grist Mill Owner Revolutionary War soldier; 2Revolutionary War soldier; 2ndnd Cont Cong Cont CongLegislator, Justice of Peace, StatesmanLegislator, Justice of Peace, StatesmanPolitician in Virginia state and local govtPolitician in Virginia state and local govtStrongly supported State of FranklinStrongly supported State of Franklin

Arthur CampbellArthur Campbell

Corresponded with Jefferson (1797)Corresponded with Jefferson (1797) Settled in today’s Middlesboro, KYSettled in today’s Middlesboro, KY Died 1811 & buried at Cumberland GapDied 1811 & buried at Cumberland Gap

History of the Lost State of FranklinHistory of the Lost State of Franklin Samuel Cole WilliamsSamuel Cole Williams

State of Franklin (aka Frankland ala Arthur State of Franklin (aka Frankland ala Arthur Campbell)Campbell)

Existed from c.1785-1789 Statehood failed by 2 Existed from c.1785-1789 Statehood failed by 2 votesvotes

Kentucky State Kentucky State LineLine

36º 30’36º 30’Walker’Walker’s Lines Line

No Man’s Land•Property ownership•Law Enforcement•Citizenship•Taxes

What did What did Sheheke think?Sheheke think?

The CertificateThe CertificateCalendar of Virginia State PapersCalendar of Virginia State Papers

Copy sent by Arthur Campbell to Virginia Copy sent by Arthur Campbell to Virginia Governor William G. Cabell in Dec. 1806Governor William G. Cabell in Dec. 1806Second copy sent February 23, 1807, Second copy sent February 23, 1807, Campbell also shows original to General Campbell also shows original to General Clarke (possibly Jonathan Clark) and Clarke (possibly Jonathan Clark) and retains original for the use of the retains original for the use of the Executive of the state of KentuckyExecutive of the state of Kentucky

What became of the What became of the certificatecertificate

Meriwether LewisMeriwether Lewisprepared onprepared on

November 23, 1806?November 23, 1806?

Library of VirginiaLibrary of Virginia

RichmonRichmond d VirginiaVirginia

Archives contain original Archives contain original letter sent by Arthur letter sent by Arthur Campbell to Virginia Campbell to Virginia Governor Cabell on Governor Cabell on February 23, 1807February 23, 1807

Library of VirginiaLibrary of Virginia

Kentucky Department Kentucky Department for Libraries and for Libraries and ArchivesArchives

Frankfort, Frankfort, KentuckyKentucky

Journal of Journal of Kentucky House Kentucky House

of of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Beginning Beginning December 4, December 4,

18151815Pages 88-112Pages 88-112

Report by Report by Secretary of State Secretary of State

Martin Davis Martin Davis Hardin Hardin

Dated January 3, Dated January 3, 18161816

The CertificateThe CertificateJournal of Kentucky House of Journal of Kentucky House of Representatives—TranscriptsRepresentatives—Transcripts

November 24, 1806November 24, 1806—copy of certificate —copy of certificate sent by Arthur Campbell to Kentucky sent by Arthur Campbell to Kentucky Governor Christopher GreenupGovernor Christopher GreenupDecember 3, 1806December 3, 1806—Campbell —Campbell references Lewis’s observations in letter references Lewis’s observations in letter to John Rowan, Kentucky Secretary of to John Rowan, Kentucky Secretary of StateStateApril 7, 1807April 7, 1807 Campbell sent original Campbell sent original certificate to Greenupcertificate to Greenup

The CertificateThe CertificateNovember 30, 1807November 30, 1807—Campbell again —Campbell again wrote to Greenup regarding Lewis’s wrote to Greenup regarding Lewis’s discoverydiscoveryJanuary 31, 1810January 31, 1810—Campbell wrote to —Campbell wrote to Kentucky Governor Charles Scott Kentucky Governor Charles Scott (Greenup’s successor) (Greenup’s successor) Lewis @ CG 2 Lewis @ CG 2 days days (date unknown)(date unknown)—Campbell sent copy —Campbell sent copy of certificate to Bishop James Madison of certificate to Bishop James Madison of Williamsburg (cousin to President of Williamsburg (cousin to President Madison) for use in preparing an 1807 Madison) for use in preparing an 1807 Map of Virginia Map of Virginia

The CertificateThe CertificateSummary of Actions:Summary of Actions:

Arthur Campbell sent out at least 4 copies of Arthur Campbell sent out at least 4 copies of Lewis’s certificate Lewis’s certificate Talked about, referenced or described Lewis’s Talked about, referenced or described Lewis’s findings in at least 3 lettersfindings in at least 3 lettersShowed original to Clarke [sic?] (February 1807)Showed original to Clarke [sic?] (February 1807)Sent original to Governor Christopher Greenup Sent original to Governor Christopher Greenup of Kentucky on April 7, 1807of Kentucky on April 7, 1807

Where is the Original?Where is the Original?

So What is Campbell So What is Campbell doing?doing?

Tennessee State Tennessee State Library and ArchivesLibrary and Archives

NashvillNashvilleeTennessTennesseeee

Located Located deeds for deeds for lands owned lands owned by Elisha by Elisha WallingWalling

1832 Map of 1832 Map of TennesseeTennesseeCumberlaCumberland Gapnd Gap

Boundary Line KY & Boundary Line KY & TNTN

Cox and Peebles Survey Cox and Peebles Survey Finally Settled Boundary Finally Settled Boundary

in 1859in 1859

36º 30’36º 30’

KentuckyKentuckyBubbleBubble

LatitudeLatitude 36º 36’ 36º 36’

11.92578” N11.92578” NLongitude Longitude

8383º 36’ º 36’ 08.16887” W08.16887” W

ElevationElevation 1261.648’1261.648’

Vaughn & Melton Vaughn & Melton Consulting Consulting EngineersEngineers

Dempsey Miracle, Jr. Dempsey Miracle, Jr. Professional Professional Land SurveyorLand Surveyor

Enduring Enduring ValuesValuesLasting Lasting LegaciesLegacies

Some surveying Some surveying equipment was retainedequipment was retainedVerified error in Verified error in Walker’s LineWalker’s LineRecords exact time and Records exact time and date Lewis was just east date Lewis was just east of Cumberland Gapof Cumberland GapWillingness to perform Willingness to perform an valuable service for an valuable service for an important political an important political personagepersonage

Lewis’s survey @ Cumberland Gap

Lewis and ClarkLewis and ClarkNational Historic National Historic

TrailTrail

The The EndEnd

Any Questions?Any Questions?

meriwether lewis survey @ cumberland gap

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