Rediscovering Christanna: Native Worlds and Governor Spotswood's Fort

The broad intent of Rediscovering Christanna is to document in a balanced way the important but largely overlooked history of Alexander Spotswood's Fort Christanna (1714-1718). In his book the author weaves together Colonial and Native narratives to give an expanded and culturally balanced account of what transpired in and around this colonial Virginia fort. The book provides an accessible overview of the Virginia governor's motivations and actions related to the creation of his fur trading fort, emphasizing its intended defensive, entrepreneurial, and educational functions. Beyond that, the book breaks new ground by focusing on the Native contexts for their interactions at Christanna -- their intentions as Indian people, the cultural meanings of indigenous actions, their educational experiences, and tribal strategies related to the fort. Drawing on ethnology, new archaeology, and a fresh look at primary historical documents, this book presents a multi-faceted and original account of a place where, in a perilous time, numerous American Indian tribes engaged the English to acquire European trade goods, to make war, or to make treaties. The author documents the reasons for and physical characteristics of the Governor's fort, emphasizing the importance of Indian labor and agency in all aspects of the fort's operations. The narrative also traces the complex English and intertribal conflicts that led to the fort's eventual demise. A related concern in the book is the historical and archaeological importance of the as yet undiscovered town, Chunkete Posse, that was built close to the fort by Saponie Indians. Significant features of the book are its emphasis on how tribal identities of the Christanna Indians persisted following the English abandonment of Fort Christanna, and on the importance of women's roles and stories in the historical account. Rediscovering Christanna is particularly valuable as it shows how the strategies of a small group of remnant Eastern Siouan tribes were successful against their powerful enemies - both English and Indian. It shows how what happened at Fort Christanna, situated in a cultural crossroads between the English and many Native peoples, was important in the formation of the colonies and the development of American Indian policy.