Page:History of Cumberland, Maryland 2.djvu/27

1728.] Oldtown, Allegany county, Maryland. A century ago the settlement at that point was called '^Shawanese Oldtown, " but of late years the explanatory prefix has been entirely dropped, and the place is now known simply as Oldtown. Other villages were scattered about between the Virginia and Pennsylvania lines, two of which were not far distant from Caiuctucuc. One of these was located in the narrow valley, three miles westward, on the banks of Braddock's Run, on what is now known as the Eckles' place, and within a few yards of the line of the present National Road, just where it is crossed by the Eckhart Railroad. Within the memory of men now living there were many relics of this village in existence. The ground was heavily timbered throughout that valley, and a clearing of several acres had been made there^ in which were still to be seen the remnants of the small huts used by the natives. Just across the ridge, in Cash Valley, was another village of the same character; and still another, of greater dimensions, was situated near the spot on which Cresaptown stands, probably a little nearer the river.

The inhabitants of this region were a portion of the Shawanese tribe, a sub-division of the Algonquin group, one of the most warlike combinations of that period. The warriors engaged in hunting and fishing, and game was sufficiently abundant both in wood and water to supply them with all that was needed of food and furs. While the men engaged in the pursuits of the chase, or went upon the war path, their families were left at home to till the soil,