History of the Backwoods: Or the Region of the Ohio

. The Allegheny-Ohio River cuts a fertile history through Western Pennsylvania into the Ohio country, setting the stage for a host of colorful characters to come to life to help shape the course of early American history. From the earliest accounts, this region of the Western Pennsylvania/Ohio Valley area and the history of the Westward movement into it were home to many eventful, exciting yet bloody incidents. The early discovery and settlement of this country by the French, and their subsequent struggle to retain occupancy of it, set the stage for the most unsettled period of Eastern Frontier history.

Written in the first half of the 19th century, History of the Backwoods is the earliest meaning history written of the Ohio Valley where Pennsylvania, 18th century Virginia and Ohio come together. As author Patterson states, “Our endeavor has been to present these events, imbodied and arranged, in the order they occur. The motive to the undertaking has been a desire to supply a vacancy in the general history of the country, which may not have failed to be very generally remarked. Much of our western history, it is known, has never been written, while the published portions, to a great degree, have not been collected.”

First hand accounts of these bold and colorful men, who penetrated the valley of the Ohio Valley march continually through this book. Gist and Girty, Braddock and Washington, Forbes and Armstrong, Pontiac and Cornstalk, Generals Lewis and Wayne, Colonels Crawford and Bouquet, Sam Brady and Bald Eagle, Moravian Missionaries and French explorers, all leap from these pages, leaving their footprints on its vibrant history. Every man was a hero, every man a legend to be. Witness information about Western Pennsylvania/Ohio Valley history never before seen.

History of the Backwoods is another in a series of extremely hard to find books on Eastern Frontier history. 163 years after its original printing in 1843, it is now back into print for all enthusiasts of Eastern Frontier history to enjoy.

319 pp., hardback, including 1764 map of the Backwoods Country, limited to 1,000 copies. $44.95.