Thanks to Stran Trout, who has been studying the Washington-Rochambeau
route, the folks in New Kent County have been discussing this mystery ever
since Dr. Maas brought it up on the LVA forum. Here's the latest and best
proposal so far:
In 1781 Lafayette went from New Castle, on the south side of the river in
Hanover County along the Pamunkey River and crossed the river at Ruffin's
Ferry, spending the next few weeks in King William County at the Forks of
the York River, where he sent more messages.
The presumption was that he crossed the Pamunkey before sending the message
from "New Kent Mountain" But, it makes sense that he sent the message from
the South side of the Pamunkey before crossing. Communications would have
been easier, since the river would not have to be re-crossed, or a different
route used.
That would place him in the vicinity of "Mount Prospect", a home at a high
point near "Old River Road", a main route at the time. (This was the same
route used by the Washington Rochambeau wagon train in September 1781.)
So, this scenario would make "Mount Prospect" the location of "New Kent
Mountain".
For more, contact Stran at [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maass, John R Dr CMH" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:54 AM
Subject: New Kent Mountain-1781
I am trying to determine the location of a place called New Kent
Mountain, which Lafayette mentions in his correspondence of 1781. I
have not been able to locate it in New Kent Co. If anyone can tell me
where this is, I will be most grateful.
John R. Maass, Ph.D.
US Army Center of Military History
103 Third Ave.
Ft. McNair, D.C. 20319
202-685-2337
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