The Third Lederer Expedition

In 1669 and 1670, German-born John Lederer led three expeditions to explore Virginia’s Piedmont and the Carolinas that encouraged further European exploration. The third expedition began nearby at Robert Talifer’s house near the Rappahannock River on 20 Aug. 1670, and Col. John Catlett, “nine English horse,” and five Indians accompanied Lederer. They reached the junction of the Rappahannock River and the Rapidan River two days later and followed the former inland. At the river’s headwaters they approached the Blue Ridge Mountains and reached the summit of one of its peaks on 26 Aug. From there they viewed the Shenandoah Valley, then returned the same way they had come.

Virginia · United States