The

A NewsletterTraveller of the Bartram Conference Spring, 2017

Dorinda Dallmeyer and Philip Juras visited the new Bartram Trail marker located in the Plains section of Zachary, Louisiana.

featured the unveiling of a brand-new Members of the Baton Rouge organizing committee with the new Bartram Trail marker at Magnolia Bartram Trail marker. Mound Plantation. L to r: Terry Tuminello, Pam Sulzer, Michéle Deshotels, Cheryl Stromeyer, Peggy Coates, Randy Harelson. The Saturday program, at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, um. There were tours of the homes and included a Silent Auction of donated, T.R. Henderson grounds of Magnolia Mound Planta- interesting items and a number of President, Bartram Trail Conference tion and LeJeune House. For the artist, very well presented talks which took he Bartram Trail Conference a Friday afternoon tour of The Special attendees into the Mississippi River 2017 took place in the beautiful Collections at LSU Hill Memorial world as seen by ; EastT Baton Rouge Parish Main Li- Library featured works by John and Taylor McGaughy: Peregrinations to brary on March 24 through the 26. William Bartram, Mark Catesby, John Pontchartrain: William Bartram’s West- The building, facilities and grounds James Audubon, and several original erly Wanderings—an explanation and were well suited for the conference. water colors by Margaret Stones, from overview of Bartram’s visit to the area. There is even a newly installed Bar- her Flora of Louisiana project. Taylor is a Fothergill grant recipient. tram Marker on the grounds. A Friday afternoon meeting be- Dennis Jones: Sweet Home Alabama: Baton Rouge was found to be a tween representatives of the National Evidence for an 18th Century Native wonderful location for lovers of colo- Park Service and BTC officers and American Occupation at the Chatsworth nial history, archaeology, gardens, art, board members was very promising Plantation Site (16EBR192) in East good food and gracious people—all concerning the potential for NPS rec- Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana—The things Bartram. ognition of a national Bartram trail Native American group called the Speaking of gardens, tours for the corridor—something we should all be Talapoosa of the Alabama Tribe left long weekend included Hilltop Ar- excited about. the Tallapoosa River area of the future boretum, Burden Gardens, Windrush A Friday evening reception at the State of Alabama approximately 1772 Gardens, and LSU Rural Life Muse- beautiful Magnolia Mound Plantation to settle on the Mississippi River at

1 land Seen and Unseen by William Bar- tram—a glimpse into the cultural and economic scene in the Baton Rouge region of the late eighteenth century. Sunday morning was a tree stroll and brunch at LSU Hilltop Arbore- tum, where the food was of local in- spiration and most excellent. The stroll was packed with information about local flora and was a very pleasant way to spend the morning. Afterwards was a short road trip up the river to Point Coupee Parish for a visit at the beau- tiful home and garden of Le Jeune House and nearby St. Francis Chapel. The Bartram Trail Conference and the LSU Hilltop Arboretum spon- During Friday of the conference, participants were treated to a free tour of Magnolia Mound Plantation and gardens. sored the 2017 conference with the cooperation of the following partners: present day Baton Rouge, and were at very effective use of drawing to repre- East Baton Rouge Parish Main Li- this location at the time of Bartram’s sent his experiences in the field. brary, Magnolia Mound Plantation, visit. Randy Harelson: Native Flora of Recreation and Park Commission for Dorinda Dallmeyer: White Cliffs, Louisiana: the Watercolor Drawings of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Bo- Deep Time: William Bartram and Ge- Margaret Stones—an engaging exami- tanic Garden at Independence Park, ology—an excellent explanation of the nation of some of the work of Stones LSU Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium, white cliffs and the historic curiosity and discussion of favorite plants repre- LSU Libraries Special Collections, about the origin. sented in Stones’ work. Burden Museum and Gardens, Visit Peggy Davis Coates: Louisiana’s Thomas Hallock: Remembering John Baton Rouge, and a special grant from Bartram Trail Revisited—the revival of Hall: The Work of the BTC and the Good -Pacific. interest in Bartram in the area and the Nature of Environmental Education— Thank you to those who spent the six recently installed Bartram markers. A remembrance of Bartram’s signifi- last eighteen months working out Sam Carr: Regional and National cance to us all, how we connect to the the program, plan and logistics, and Bartram Trail Efforts—success on the natural world, and how John Hall re- then making it happen: Peggy Davis St. Johns River of Florida, and efforts minded us of that significance. Coates, Kathryn Braund, Brad Sand- to play off what was learned there to Forty Years on: The History of the Bar- ers, Dorinda Dallmeyer, Diane Sand- establish a national trail or heritage tram Trail Conference—a roundtable ers, Anna Humphries, Randy Haral- corridor. discussion featuring charter mem- son, Michéle Deshotels, and Sam Carr. Andy Ross: Within a Few Inches of bers of the Bartram Trail Conference Your Eye: Visual and Narrative Medita- from Louisiana—Charles Fryling, Bartram Trail Conference Board tion in Bartram’s Travels—the recipient Sally Daigle, and Polly Williams— 2016–2018 of a Fothergill grant, discussed Bar- discussed their early adventures and President, T. R. Henderson tram’s artistic rendition of his observa- their hopes for the future of the Bar- Vice President, Sam Carr tions and how his work draws readers tram Trail Conference. Moderated by Treasurer, Anna Humphries into being observers and participants Chuck Spornick. Interim Secretary, Chuck Spornick in his experiences. The keynote speaker for the banquet Board Members: Elizabeth Athens: A Lively Ani- on Saturday night at the East Baton Brad Sanders (Membership Chair), mated Picture: William Bartram and Rouge Parish Main Library was Dan- Dorinda Dallmeyer (Newsletter Drawing Ad vivum—the recipient of iel H. Usner: “A prospect of the grand Editor), Joel Fry, Kathryn Braund a Fothergill grant, discussed Bartram’s sublime:” The Louisiana-Florida Border-

2 Jean Louis du Mesnil de St. Pierre

Downtown Willington,

Pierre, a French gentleman, who by Brad Sanders received and entertained us with n Chapter V of Travels, William Bar- great politeness and hospitality. The tram writes of commencing his trip mansion-house is situated on the top toI Mobile in the company of a group of a very high hill near the banks of of traders, the river Savanna, which overlooks his very extensive and well cultivated BEING returned from the Cherokee plantations of Indian Corn (Zea) country to Dartmouth, I understood Rice, Wheat, Oats, Indigo, Convol- that the company of adventurers for vulus Batata, &c. these are rich low West Florida were very forward in lands, lying very level betwixt these their preparations, and would be ready natural heights and the river; his gar- to set off in a few weeks, so that I had dens occupy the gentle descent on one but a little time allowed me to make side of the mount, and a very thriving provision and equip myself for the vineyard consisting of about five acres prosecution of so long and hazardous a on the other side. journey. Bartram’s host was Jean Louis du OUR place of rendezvous was Mesnil de St. Pierre, a prominent citi- Sara Juengst at the Willington History Center at fort Charlotte, on the opposite side zen of New Bordeaux, South Carolina. of the river Savanna, and about a His plantation was successful and his They were given land in the Huguenot mile from fort James. Having a desire house was well known in the area for community of New Bordeaux, in Hills­ to make little botanical excursions it was painted during a period when borough Township ninety miles north towards the head of Broad river, in most houses were not. St. Pierre was of Augusta, and £1,197 for their sup- order to collect some curiosities which I a native of Normandy and leader of a port. The Bounty Act of 1761 provided had observed thereabouts, which being group of French Protestants that sailed a cash payment for anyone who estab- accomplished, from England in 1768, bound for Nova lished settlers in the Upcountry where JUNE 22d (1775) set out from Scotia, but forced to land in Charles- they could serve as a barrier between fort Charlotte in company with Mr. ton because of bad weather. St. Pierre the populous coast and the Cherokee Whitfield, who was chief of our cara- and his fellow passengers resolved to Nation. van. We travelled about twenty miles stay in South Carolina and petitioned The community of New Bordeaux and lodged at the farm of Mons. St. the government for a grant of land. was established in 1764 at the forks of

3 young men of the community. Waddel, being a fluent speaker of French, be- came the minister to the nearby French congregation in New Bordeaux. In 1804 Waddel moved his academy six miles to the town of Willington. This is meant in the literal sense as the physical building was rolled to the new location, which was chosen for its freedom from ma- laria. The Willington Academy became prominent for educating the sons of prestigious families from Georgia and South Carolina. Waddel purchased St. Pierre’s house, known as Orange Hill, for his family’s residence. The house burned sometime in the early twenti- eth century and the land is now prop- erty of the Army Corps of Engineers. Waddel left Willington for ten years, 1819–1829, to help revive the founder- ing Franklin College in Athens, Geor- gia (later the University of Georgia). Savannah Valley Railroad Trail trailhead, located at the intersection of SC-7 and Huguenot Park- The town of Willington enjoyed its way. It is a five mile hike to downtown Willington from here. days of prosperity in the late 1800s and early twentieth century as a railroad de- Long Cane Creek and Little River in ent when Whitefield surrendered Fort pot and cotton boom town. Arrival of present day McCormick County. Prior Charlotte, the artillery, and powder the boll weevil and the Great Depres- to the Revolution New Bordeaux pro- to the Patriot militia. Whitefield was sion forced many residents to leave town duced silk and small quantities of wine, probably a patriot sympathizer and it and seek employment elsewhere. By the but the community consisted mostly of seems that St. Pierre shared his senti- late twentieth century Willington had subsistence farms rather than the large ments. become a near ghost town, prompting plantations like that of St. Pierre. Much There are a couple of references to St. local citizens to form “Willington on of the area of New Bordeaux is now Pierre’s death in a skirmish with Chero- the Way,” which revitalized and rebuilt included in Savannah Lakes Village, kees near Clemson in 1776. Because the the town’s commercial buildings. Will- Hickory Knob State Park, and Baker Cherokees were allied with the British, ington is part of the South Carolina Na- Creek State Park. The oldest remain- this means that St. Pierre was working tional Heritage Corridor and is known ing structure from New Bordeaux is the with the Patriots. There was a skirmish today as the “Book Town” because of its Andre Guillebeau House, built about with Cherokees on June 26, 1776 when popular bookstore whose profits sup- 1764, which has been moved to Hicko- South Carolina Rangers under Captain port restoration of the buildings. Sara ry Knob State Park and restored. James McCall were ambushed near Juengst operates the history museum, St. Pierre quickly rose to prominence Seneca town (Clemson University cam- open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 in the New Bordeaux community. He pus) and four of his party were killed. a.m. to 3 p.m. For fans of William Bar- travelled to Europe in the winter of There was another skirmish near Seneca tram the few pieces that remain of the 1771–1772 and returned with more set- on August 1 where only one was killed. Bartram exhibit from the Clarks Hill tlers and vine cuttings. He wrote a book, The identity of the casualties is not re- Dam Visitor Center are on display in The Art of Planting and Cultivating the corded for either of these conflicts. The Willington. The northern trailhead for Vine, and by one account the first wine location of his grave is unknown, but it the Savannah Valley Railroad Trail is shipped from the British colonies came seems probable that he is buried some- located in the center of town. from St. Pierre’s vineyards. He was lieu- where on or near Clemson University. For more information about visiting tenant of the Fort Charlotte garrison, About 1800 Moses Waddel moved Willington, email willington@wctel. serving under Captain George White- from Columbia County, Georgia, to Vi- net or you may call Sara Juengst at 864- field (also Whitfield). Three weeks af- enna in Abbeville County, South Caro- 391-2218. ter Bartram’s visit St. Pierre was pres- lina where he preached and taught the

4 William Bartram Heritage Corridor Project

Map by Brad Sanders

by Sam Carr of the pioneering Philadelphia naturalist but did recommend action to form a na- Vice President, Bartram Trail Conference William Bartram (1739–1823) through tional Bartram Heritage Project using the eight southern states: , following framework: n March 24, 2017 at the Bartram South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennes- 1. Establishment of a Bartram Heritage Trail Conference (BTC) in Baton see, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.” Advisory Council including federal ORouge, Louisiana a National Bartram And, “The Conference works to promote leadership (Dept. of the Interior), state Trail Workshop took place. The purpose interest in developing public access recre- representation and private (Bartram of the workshop was to consider reviving ational (hiking, canoeing, biking and Trail Conference) representation. the effort to establish William Bartram’s horseback riding) and botanical gardens travels as a national historic corridor of the within the corridor of Bartram’s route 2. Establishment of a Bartram Heritage Lewis and Clark National Trail pattern. through the individual states and to co- Project Office and staff to coordinate Members of the BTC board conduct- ordinate a regionally unified effort toward the effort. ed the meeting, including President TR that end.” The original group produced the 3. Development of a Detailed Master Henderson, Vice President Sam Carr, and Bartram Heritage Report in 1978 (http:// Plan within 2 years. Brad Sanders. Two representatives from bit.ly/2qnXdoE). 4. Establishment of a $300,000 budget. the Southeast Regional Office of the Na- In February, 1982 a Bartram Trail Na- 5. The Project would have included the tional Park Service joined the workshop. tional Scenic/Historic Trail Study (https:// following: Jaime Doubek-Racine, Florida Projects www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/­ Director, attended the workshop in per- trails/bartram_trail.pdf ) was published by • Designation of a Bartram Heritage son and Ben West, Chief of Planning and the National Park Service using the BTC’s Corridor Compliance, was on teleconference. There Bartram Heritage Report as the primary re- • Designation and development of were a total of twelve others in the meet- source. The report stated “Bartram’s trav- Bartram National Scenic Trail seg- ing. els, writings and illustrations were signifi- ments The workshop reviewed the original cant contributions to the natural science • Designation of Bartram National purpose of the Bartram Trail Conference and literature of his era and are of signifi- Recreation Trails (there are 6 al- which includes the following: “The Bar- cance to a present day understanding of ready) tram Trail Conference was established in the southeastern part of the nation during • Designation of Bartram Scenic Wa- 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial the 18th century.” Their conclusions did terways observance to locate and mark the route not recommend a National Historic Trail

5 • Designation of Bartram Memorial 120 dedicated sites—many of which are 6. Gather a portfolio of Bartram articles, Highways already on federal, state or other public videos, publications, recognitions. • Development and designation of lands. The following actions were sug- The Bartram Heritage Corridor map Bartram Heritage Centers gested to the BTC Board of Directors by has been updated by Brad Sanders. A the Workshop: • Designation of Bartram Heritage press release has been written to assist us Cities 1. Begin re-writing the Bartram Heritage in initial contacts with our collaborating Report considering past concerns and congressional officers and groups. Initial This all sounds great, but nothing hap- adding new information (cultural con- contacts have been very promising. Docu- pened. As one of our original Bartram siderations, scholarship updates, and ments are on our web site at http://bit. Trail Conference members said, “it died additional trail segments). We have a ly/2pT5jSN. because of politics.” There were no con- story to tell! So what can you do? Please connect gressional or state champions to carry the with us to offer assistance with any of the effort forward. It literally sits in the ar- 2. Create a data base to organize and above actions. You may contact Sam Carr, chives of the Department of the Interior coordinate the effort. [email protected], or Brad Sanders, like Indiana Jones’ Ark of the Covenant. 3. Begin to gather state by state collab- [email protected]. We need to The conclusion of the workshop was orative support—Garden club federa- establish state coordinators and congres- that at the time of the 1982 report, state tions, historical societies, Audubon sional contacts. We have tools you may and federal support died. We also con- societies, Indian tribes, state parks, and use. Can you imagine celebrating a 2,000 cluded that due to changes in the Na- other national and regional groups. mile Bartram Historic Corridor on the tional Trails Act and the National Parks th 4. Connect with the National Lands 250 anniversary of William’s journey Service designations our trail qualifies sub-Committee congressional rep- through the Southeast? It may happen— for designation. The National Parks Ser- resentatives and other congressional get in the ‘bark’—we are paddling down- vice representatives provided invaluable representative state-by-state. stream with the wind at our back. insight as to where we should go from here. We have a current inventory of eight 5. Gather by state an inventory of sites, For more information contactSam Carr, National Recreation Trails; 32 other es- trails, parks, cultural sites linked to [email protected], 386-937-3901 tablished trails; 17 Bartram routes and Bartram’s Travels. St. Johns River Bartram Frolic Join us as we celebrate the St. Johns River and the 243rd Anniversary of William Bartram’s Travels through Putnam County. Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2017 Downtown Palatka Riverfront • Historic Seminole, Trader & European Reenactors • Pride of Palatka Riverboat Tours • Hiking, Biking & Kayaking • Art Exhibits • Artisan Vendors • Live Music

Find us on For more information visit bartram.putnam-fl .com Facebook Email: [email protected] • 386-326-2704

6 2017 St. Johns River Frolic

Palatka Riverfront

he Bartram Trail of Putnam County wares and civic clubs will offer food and tram lectures will take place in the Lar- and the City of Palatka are planning services on the riverfront. There will be imer Arts Center with a previewing of toT establish an annual fall festival—The art shows including 25 life-sized Bar- the film Cultivating the Wild—William St. Johns River Bartram Frolic. They be- tram drawings from the Natural History Bartram’s Travels produced by Dorinda lieve the historic St. Johns River should Museum of London sketched during his Dallmeyer and Eric Breitenbach. be celebrated for its beauty and heritage Florida visit. The local art league will have For more information visit the website, by recognizing William Bartram’s visits in a show featuring local art inspired by na- http://bartram.putnam-fl.com/. If you 1765 and 1774. The 2017 festival will be ture. Saturday evening will feature a wine would like to participate in the festival, September 29, 30 and October 1, 2017. stroll/frolic through downtown Palatka. please contact Ken Mahaffey @ some- This will actually be the fourth Frolic in Sunday will include a Bartram prayer [email protected] and 386-916-9160 Palatka—the first documented in Travels stroll on the riverfront and more touring or Sam Carr @ [email protected] in July of 1774 at the Lower Store, the and paddling opportunities. Later, Bar- and 386–937–3901. second in October of 2015 during the Bartram Trail Conference, and the third in September of 2016 during the celebra- tion of the designation of the Bartram National Recreation Trail. The festival will be based at the St. Johns River Cen- ter—the Trail headquarters. The festival will feature historically themed reenactors—Seminoles, Euro- pean traders, Indian maids, British gov- ernors, troops and of course William Bar- tram and his bark. The Putnam Blueways & Trails CSO will organize paddling tours, biking tours and guided hikes. Tours of Palatka’s historic districts will be offered. The Pride of Palatka excursion boat will offer river tours including a sun- set wine cruise to Rollestown and Dunn’s Little Island. There will be music on the riverfront. Bartram Trail Conference members visit the site of Spalding’s Lower Store, William Bartram’s Nature-based vendors will offer their headquarters in 1775.

7 Bartram Trail Conference Membership Form Annual Member Dues Name: ______Phone: ( )______Please check one. Address: ______Individual $25 ______Family $30 E-Mail address: ______Student $10 Contributor $50 Primary Areas of Interest in the Bartram Trail:(try to be specific about Sustainer $100 geographic locations and activities, i.e., specific Bartram sites, and whether or not you Sponsor $250 like to hike, read, garden, etc.) Patron $500 ______Please check one of the choices: ______I am a new member. Your dues support our newsletter, web site, Fothergill Fellowship Awards and other Bartram I am renewing my membership. Trail Conference projects. Please send payment to: Bartram Trail Conference You may also join online at: c/o Anna Humphries https://bartramtrailconference.wildapricot.org/page-1655351 168 N Crest Road,

All you need is a PayPal account! Chattanooga, TN 37404

Athens, GA 30605 GA Athens,

189 Hidden Hills Lane Hills Hidden 189

c/o Brad Sanders Brad c/o The Traveller The