Abstract:
An early account of wild western North Carolina before the 19th century was captured by Pennsylvania native John Brown. He traveled through an area now known as Salisbury, Statesville, Wilkesboro, Morganton, and Asheville for six months in 1795 looking to purchase land in the region. During his travels he commented on social and economic conditions, as well as the general topography of the area in a journal which is reprinted here.