Hi Don,
.................. my Virginia geography is not too brilliant!! But I started becoming interested to find out more about the early Virginia settlements, since I studied the Captain John Smith history, a while back. Just looked at the map & thinking now that New England is in West Virginia (WV) and Northumberland is in what they call the "northern neck", I think(?) in northern part of Virginia (VA). So WV & VA - 2 separate States - am I right?

Thanks again Don, talk later.

Carole

Carole,

Not quite right.

You have Northern Neck right; it is part of Virginia. New England is 500 miles north of Virginia. It is comprised of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Virginia is in the Mid-Atlantic States.

West Virginia was part of Virginia until the American Civil War (1861-65). It became a separate state when it supported the north (anti slavery) in that war.

Virginia and New England were colonized by English settlers but with different backgrounds. As you will recall from the Beagle Log, New Englanders were closely associated with the “roundheads” whereas Virginians sided with the “Cavaliers” in the English Civil War.

I believe there was minimal traffic between the two colonies in the 1600’s, most traffic was between England and each colony.

Wikipedia has a map for quick reference. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Map_of_USA_with_state_names.svg

Hope this is useful

Thanks Don, yes very useful indeed !!
Feel such a fool now!! asking if New England is in West Virginia !!! Oh what must our American members think of me! I don't know why I've always thought that New England was just a small area - such as a "county". But NOW it all makes more sense - New England in fact being a very large area covering several states. (You'd think I would have known that especially as I have distant Smith cousins in Masachusetts & Connecticut :ck-shocked: ).

The States Map at the wikipaedia link is great & I see that the page also includes a full list of the states - each hyperlinked to more information.

Wishing you and all our American members a Very Happy Day.

from Carole :cheers:
______________________________

PS; And many thanks Don for keeping we Brits informed about the current American Political elections. It's been really interesting to follow .........
>> The Beagle Log - American Politics >>
______________________________