New River

New River is a Virginia historical marker in Giles County, dedicated 2000.

Giles County · dedicated 2000 · Rte. 460, in Rich Creek, at State Boat Ramp

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The New River is estimated to be more than 100 million years old, making it one of the oldest rivers in the world. It is a remnant of the prehistoric Teays River. The first written documentation of the New River was by explorers Thomas Batte and Robert Hallom. A Totera Indian guide led them there on 13 Sept. 1671. First called Wood's River, most likely for Abraham Wood, who launched the expedition, it became known as the New River by the middle of the 18th century. The New River is known for its treacherous current and stretches more than 300 miles through Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

TodayHistorical map

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USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

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under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

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New River

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