Upper Road, Migration Route

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Introduction

The Upper Road, was in colonial times one of the most important north-to-south travel and trade routes. Use of this route started, around 1740 as an alternative route to the Fall Line Road. The

Upper Road was favored by Colonists as it had been preferred by their predecessors, the Algonquin and Iroquois Indians because of numerous springs along its route, milder temperatures east of the mountains and relatively safe fords across major rivers and streams. By the 1750’s the Upper Road had stretched south through North Carolina where it tracked to the west through Hillsborough, Salisbury and Charlotte. It then entered South Carolina and continued on to Greenville. This portion of road from Salisbury to Greenville most likely followed what is present day U. S. Route 29. By 1828 the road had extended to Athens, Georgia where it eventually connected with the Federal Road.

Map of the Upper Road

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

Road Trip

If you have traced your 18^th or 19^th century ancestors to any of the counties listed below it is quite possible that they traveled to that location along this migration route. Therefore you may find additional relevant information about your ancestral lineages by taking the following road trip through these localities.

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

Fredericksburg City, VA (1)

Spotsylvania Co., VA (1)

Louisa, Co., VA (1,2)

Goochland Co., VA (2)

Powhatan Co., VA (2)

Amelia Co., VA (2,3)

Nottoway Co., VA (3)

Lunenburg Co., VA (3,4)

Mecklenburg, Co., VA (4)

Person Co., NC (5)

Orange Co., NC (5)

Alamance Co., NC (6)

Guilford Co., NC (6)

Davidson Co. NC (7)

Rowan Co., NC (7)

Cabarrus Co., NC (8)

Mecklenburg Co., NC (8)

Gaston Co., SC (9)

Cherokee Co., SC (9)

Spartanburg Co., SC (10)

Greenville Co., SC (10)

Genealogy Road Trip

This “Genealogy Road Trip” is divided into segments that require between 1 and 2 hours of driving time. The entire 495 mile journey should take approximately 12.5 hours to drive at 40 miles per hour. Within each segment you will find links to resources* that will assist you in planning a successful and enjoyable experience. The following maps are designed to show a close-up view of the counties and communities along this migration route. Relevant county seats are designated with a, beginning and end points of each segment are noted with a and historical sites with a .

SEGMENT 1

From: Fredericksburg, VA

To: Cuckoo, VA

SEGMENT 2

From: Cuckoo, VA

To: Amelia Court House, VA

SEGMENT 3

From: Amelia C.H., VA

To: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

SEGMENT 4

From: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

To: VA / NC border

SEGMENT 5

From: VA / NC border

To: Efland, NC

SEGMENT 6

From: Efland, NC

To: High Point, NC

SEGMENT 7

From: High Point, NC

To: China Grove, NC

SEGMENT 8

From: China Grove, NC

To: Lake Wylie, NC

SEGMENT 9

From: Lake Wylie, NC

To: Cowpens, SC

SEGMENT 10

From: Cowpens, SC

To: Greenville, SC

Segment 1

From: Fredericksburg, VA

To: Cuckoo, VA

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Driving Distance = 52 miles; Driving Time = approximately 1.50 hours

Your trip starts at the in the historic district of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Fredericksburg is located 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 55 miles north of the state capitol at Richmond. Our first stop is at

the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, found at 1201 Caroline Street. This Library has developed a diverse and rich collection of historical material that is, housed in its Virginiana Room.

Click on Map to Enlarge

To leave the town center from here go north to Fauquier St. and turn LEFT then turn left again onto Princess Anne St(Us-1-Br S). Continue 7 blocks on Princess Anne St(Va-2 S) and turn Right on Wolfe St, then Left at Prince Edward St, and finally Turn Right On Lafayette Blvd(Us-1-Br). Take BR US1 out of Fredericksburg until it intersects with US 1 here you will continue straight ahead as the road becomes VA 208 (Courthouse Road). An Act of Congress, approved 23 April 1800, established a "post road from Fredericksburg, by Spotsylvania Courthouse and Louisa Courthouse to Columbia." This road was to connect the Rappahannock River and the James River and is roughly Route 208 of today, which reaches from Interstate 95 to Interstate 64 at Ferncliff.

Turn left at BRVA 208 and continue to Spotsylvania Courthouse the county seat of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, located ten miles southwest of Fredericksburg.

Pass the Spotsylvania National Military Park on you right just before you enter the town on Courthouse Road (VA 208). Records of all deeds, wills and other legal papers on file in the County are at the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court located at 9113 Courthouse Road. Contiune on BRVA 208 and see the Spotsylvania County Museum which contains a research library is on your right.

Spotsylvania County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1795 , Land Records from 1720 , Probate Records from 1722 and Court Records from 1724 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 96, 9115 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553-0096; 540/507-7600 .

Spotsylvania County Museum, 8956 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553, 540-582-7167

Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-3701, Phone: 540/372-1144, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties partner with Fredericksburg to fund the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 42013, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. 540-371-3906, tripwig@cox.net .

Follow the signs for VA 208 West when leaving

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

Spotsylvania. Cross the Po River and come to Snell where you must turn right in order to continue on VA 208/606. At Post Oak turn left to continue on VA 208 West. On this stretch of road you will pass Lawyer’s Road, on your right, the entrance to Lake Anna State Park. Just beyond is an historical marker noting the establishment around 1727 of Fredericksville an iron making community. Soon you will cross the North Anna River, now Lake Anna, and enter Louisa County.

At the intersection with US 522 South turn left and take VA 208 West south to Mineral. In Mineral turn right onto Piedmont Ave. (VA 22/208). The Louisa county Library is located about 1 mile on the Davis Highway (VA 22/208). After you leave the library proceed west about 5 miles to the county seat at Louisa. As you enter the town on Main Street, (US 33, VA 22) The County Courthouse is located at 100 W. Main Street. The County Administration Building is located one block southwest at 101 Woolfolk Ave.

Louisa County Library, 881 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117, 540.894.5853. The Genealogy Room contains all issues of the Louisa County Historical Society publication, as well as several special collections about local area history.

Louisa County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1763 , Land Records from 1742 , Probate Records from 1742 and Court Records from 1742 and is located at the County Courthouse on Box 37, 100 W. Main Street, Louisa, VA 23093-0037; 540/967-5312 . Louisa County Administration Building 101 Woolfolk Ave., Louisa, VA 23093, 540-967-0401

To return to your original route take US 33 East back the way you came and south out of Louisa. At the intersection with continue on US 33/522 until you arrive at Cuckoo. Here you will take the right fork and continue on US 522 through South Anna.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

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Segment 2

From: Cuckoo, VA

To: Amelia Court House, VA

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Driving Distance = 50 miles; Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

Cross the South Anna river and continue through Shelfar right for and on US 522. This part of the road intersects with I 64 just before Gum Spring. Continue on US 522 into Goochland County and on into the town of Goochland the county seat.

Continue on US 522/VA 6 as you enter the town of Goochland the road will be called River Road West. The Goochland branch of the Paumunkey Regional Library is located, on your right, at 3075 River Road West. The County courthouse is on your left at 2938 River Road West, and the Goochland County Historic Center at 2875 River Road West.

Pamunkey Regional Library -Goochland Branch 3075 River Road West, Goochland, Virginia 23063, Phone: (804) 556-4774 . Does not maintain a collection of genelogical materials. Housed in a new building erected in 2003, the new library colorful murals painted by local artist Patti Rosner, and much more as it expands its collections and services.

Goochland County historical Society The Society maintains a well organized library with various types of reference materials. Their Historic Center is located at 2875 River Road West (Route 6). P.O. Box 602, Goochland, VA 23063 Telephone: 1-804-556-3966.

Goochland County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1730 , Land Records from 1728 , Probate Records from 1728 and Court Records from 1728 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 196, 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063; 804/556-5353 .

As you leave Goochland turn right to follow US 522 across the bridge over the James River and on into Powhatan County. Continue south on US 522 to where it ends at the intersection of US 60 (Anderson Hwy.). Go straight onto VA 13 and turn left at VA 1002 (Old Buckingham Road) and proceed 1.5 miles into the county seat at Powhatan. On the way into town turn right at Mann Road where the County Library is located at 2270.

Powhatan County Public Library, 2270 Mann Rd. Powhatan, VA 23139, Phone: (804) 598-5670

Powhatan County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1777 , Land Records from 1777 , Probate Records from 1777 and Court Records from 1777 and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 37, 3880 Old Buckingham Road, Suite C, Powhatan, VA 23139-0037; 804/598-5660, Fax: 804/598-5608 .

Powhatan County Historical Society, PO Box 562 Powhatan VA 23139, Phone: (804) 598-1139, Email: powhatanhistoricalsociety@richmondnetwork.com

Retrace your route back to VA 13 and turn left to continue south. At Macon stay left onto VA 609 (Giles

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Bridge Road). Just before Giles Mill you will cross The Appomattox River and enter Amelia County. At Genito Road turn left the right to continue on VA 609. Along this part of your route you will pass the Grub Hill Church although the current building dates from 1852 the church was originally established around 1754 and tends to validate the early existence of this road. At the intersection of VA 609 and US 360 you will be just outside of Amelia Court house the seat of Amelia County. Here you will turn left and then right onto BRUS360 in order to proceed into the center of town. The County offices are located at 16360 Dunn Street. Amelia County has two libraries located in the Court House vicinity. The James L. Hamner Public Library at 16351 Dunn Street and the Amelia County Historical Society. The Historical Society, located in the Jackson Building at 16501 Church Street, maintains a genealogical library and a small museum.

Amelia County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1735 , Land Records from 1734 , Probate Records from 1734 and Court Records from 1734 and is located at the County Courthouse on P.O. Box 237, Amelia, VA 23002-0237 ; 804/561-2128, Fax: 804/561-6364 .

James L. Hamner Public Library, 16351 Dunn Street, Amelia, VA 23002, (804) 561-4559

Amelia County Historical Society, 16501 Church Street, P.O. Box 113, Amelia, VA 23002, 804-561-3180. Historical Society is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

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Segment 3

From: Amelia C.H., VA

To: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co, VA.

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Driving Distance = 50 miles; Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

From the Courthouse follow signs for Fort Pickett to leave Amelia via VA 38 East (Five Forks Road). South of the town at Otterburn Road leave VA 38 and continue straight onto VA 614 (Dennisville Road) towards Ponton Store. Past Denaro you will enter Nottoway County where your route is named Cellar Creek Road. Just before the intersection with VA 606 turn right onto E. Courthouse Road at Piney Green Road turn left go to the intersection with BR US 460 (Old Nottoway Road) turn right and proceed into Nottoway C.H. To get to the County Administration building turn left on to West Courthouse Road. For the County Library continue on through Nottoway Courthouse and take US 460 into Crewe where you will turn right onto Tyler Street and proceed four blocks where the library will be on your right.

Nottoway County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1784 , Land Records from 1789 , Probate Records from 1789 and Court Records from 1789. Many county court records were destroyed or heavily mutilated in 1865. and is located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 25, Nottoway, VA 23955-0025; 434/645-9043, Fax: 434/645-2201.

Nottoway County Administration, 344 West Courthouse Road, P.O. Box 92, Nottoway, VA 23955, (434) 645-8696, nottoway@nottoway.org

The Nottoway County Historical Association, P.O. Box 156, Nottoway, VA 23955.

Nottoway County Library offices at 414 Tyler Street, Crewe, Virginia 23930 (434) 645-9310, http://www.nottlib.org.

To leave Crewe go back to US 460 turn left and go two blocks where you will turn right onto VA 49, (Earl Davis Gregory Highway). Continue south on this road through Winnie and enter Lunenburg County near Plymouth. Soon you will enter the town of Victoria. One of the two public libraries in Nottoway County is found in Victoria at 1417 7^th Street. At Washington Ave. turn left and go 3 blocks and turn right on 7^th Street. The Library is in a one-story building on your left. To leave Victoria turn right on Main Street, one

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

block turn left onto VA 49/40 (Court St.). Continue on this route into the county seat, Lunenberg where the County Registrar’s office is located at 160 Courthouse Square.

Lunenburg County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1746 , Land Records from 1743 , Probate Records from 1743 and Court Records from 1743 and is located at the County Courthouse on 11435 Courthouse Road, Lunenburg, VA 23952; 434/696-2132, Fax: 434/696-3931.

County Registrar’s Office, 160 Courthouse Square, Lunenburg, VA 23952, Phone: 434-696-3071.

Victoria Public Library: 434-696-3416, 1417 7th St, Victoria, VA 23974, (434) 696-3416.

Ripberger Public Library: 117 South Broad Street, Kenbridge, VA 23944-0845 434-676-3456

Southside Virginia Genealogical Society, 984 Camp Road, South Hill, VA 23970, Phone: 434 - 447 - 7308

Leave Lunenberg on VA 49 and proceed through Rehoboth to where VA 49 intersects with the intersection of Ontario and Rehoboth Roads.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

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Segment 4

FROM: Ontario & Rehoboth Rds., Lunenburg Co., VA

TO: VA / NC border

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Driving Distance = 47 miles; Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

Continue straight on VA 49 (Courthouse Road) and enter Mecklenburg County. At Chase City stop and visit the Butler Memorial Library located at 515 Marshall Street. To get there turn left at E. 4^th Street go one block then right on Marshall. To leave Chase City retrace your route to VA 49 (Main St.). At the intersection with 2^nd street continue straight onto VA 92 (S. Main St.) and follow this out of town to Boydton, the county seat. You will enter the center of Boydton after you pass the intersection with US 58. To get to the Mecklenburg County Court House turn right at Jefferson Street. The office of the clerk of the Court is located on the 1^st floor.

Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Circuit Court has Marriage and Land Records from 1765, Probate and Court Records date from 1764. located at the County Courthouse on P. O. Box 530, Boydton, VA 23917-0530; 434/738-6191 Ext. 4222, Fax: 434/738-6861.

Mecklenburg County Court House, 1294 Jefferson Street, Boydton, Virginia 23917, 434/738-6191 Ext. 4222 http://www.myvirginiagenealogy.com/va_county/mec.htm

Butler Memorial Library, 515 Marshall St. Chase City, VA 23924. A branch of the Southside Regional Library which maintains genealogical information for both Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties. In addition the library provides access to several on-line genealogical collections.

Southside Virginia Genealogical Society, 984 Camp Road, South Hill, VA 23970, Phone: 434 - 447 – 7308.

The Boyd Tavern Foundation, P. O. Box 183, Boydton, Virginia 23917, Phone: 434-738-9800, email: info@boydtavern.net

Leave Boydton on Jefferson Street to where it intersects with US 58 West. At Jefferson you will see

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

the entrance road to Occoneechee State Park on your right. At the Roanoke River take BR US 58 (Virginia Ave.) across the bridge into Clarksville proceed through the center of town to Puryear Corner and US 58 West. After about a mile on US 58 turn left onto VA 49 South (Earl Davis Gregory Hwy.). Continue on VA 49 through Nelson and into the town of Virgilina located on the border with North Carolina. In Virgilina turn left at Florence Street and take VA 96 into, North Carolina.

Use the following LINKS to find information about the counties and localities found along this segment of the Route.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

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Segment 5

From: VA / NC border

To: Efland, NC

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Driving Distance = 51 miles; Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

At the fork go right on NC 49 South toward Roxboro. From the VA/NC state line it is approximately 16 miles to Roxboro the seat of Person County, North Carolina. Enter Roxboro on NC 49 (N. Madison Blvd.) and turn left at Reams St. go two blocks then right on S. Main street to the County Records Office at 105 S. Main Street and to the Person County Library at 319 S. Main Street. To visit the Historical Society from the library turn left at the corner of S. Main and Gordon Streets, and take Gordon St. four blocks to S. Morgan St. where you will turn left the Society is located at 304 S Morgan St Ste 2.

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