History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786 Washington County 1777-1870

Referred to as "probably the best book ever written about this area", the material covered in this volume includes early Southwest Virginia in general and (after its formation) Washington County in particular. In its earliest period, Southwest Virginia embraced nineteen present-day counties of Virginia and seventeen of West Virginia. It also includes sections of other counties within these states.

The well-written and extremely interesting history is followed by more than one hundred biographical sketches, and there are several pages titled Journal of Doctor Thomas Walker -- 1749-'50. The extensive Appendix includes numerous names and pertinent information about land surveyed, early court meetings, representatives, senators, justices, sheriffs, attorneys, superintendents, constables, road overseers, ministers, census information, militia officers, Revolutionary soldiers, the "Mountain Boys", and more.

An index of more than 6000 entries gives added value to this important work.

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Exploring Southwest Virginia and, after its formation, Washington County in particular, this volume traces the history of the region from its earliest period, when it embraced 19 present-day counties of Virginia and 17 of West Virginia. It also includes sections of other counties within these states.

Lewis Preston Summers was the Abingdon Post Master from 1890 to 1894. He began his legal practice in 1895, and was appointed U.S. district attorney by President Harding in 1922. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar Association and the chairman of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association in Washington County, Virginia.