This is the definitive history of Southwest Virginia, the area originally comprising Botetourt, Fincastle, and Washington counties and now embracing nineteen present-day counties of Virginia and seventeen of West Virginia, as well. parts of other counties in these states. It contains an impressive amount of historical and genealogical data, which traces the Southwest Virginia counties from their formation down to the end of the 19th century. The author's coverage of new settlements, the opening of roads, conflicts with the Indians, and various colonial wars in Southwest Virginia is particularly strong. Numerous lists of genealogical importance (e.g., colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War militia, surveyors' lists, civil servants, and elected officials) are scattered throughout the text and especially the appendixes, where researchers will discover several thousand ancestors linked to Washington County during the 100 years commencing with the American Revolution. In addition, a separate section is devoted to biographical sketches of more than 100 prominent citizens and includes inset portrait illustrations. A table of contents has been added to this reprint, and the index has been re-arranged to conform to genealogical standards.