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THE WILLIAM BARTRAM TRAIL: COMMEMORATION OF AN UNSUNG HERO OF AMERICA'S PAST
In a land of pioneers, William Bartram exemplifies the pioneering spirit. His four years of wilderness exploration; his descriptions of previously unknown plants, birds, fish and shells; his sensitive observations of Indian customs; his personal stand on human rights; his theories of bird migrations and animal habits; his early drawings of natural history subjects; his realistic but
was primarily responsible for gathering specime native flora and fauna in the southeastern part c United States. He also is responsible for the bea drawings that were made of the various species of a: life and plants. In 1773, at the behest of his patror John Fothergill of England, William set out to res Florida and nearby lying regions. His adventure: botanical discoveries on this trip are described i book, TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AND SC CAROLINA, GEORGIA, EAST AND WEST FLOP THE CHEROKEE COUNTRY, THE EXTENSIVE RITORIES OF THE MUSCOGULGES OR CREEK C FEDERACY, AND THE COUNTRY OF THE Cl TAWS, published in Philadelphia by James and Job in 1791. The book is illustrated lavishly with Barb own drawings, which greatly enhanced its value sc fically and esthetically. Examples of these drawing on this brochure. This publication can be viewed c Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Lil Division. This book was the "Best Seller" in the e world for more than twenty five years at that time ai library was complete without it.
The William Bartram Trail In Mississip
Bartram's travels carried him not only to the named in the title of his book, but also across the s< ern part of the state of Mississippi and Louisiana. It following his travels in this area that the William Bai Trail in Mississippi is created. Excerpts fron TRAVELS described graphically his passage acros Mississippi Gulf Coast, pointing out areas that he f< of particular interest.
The William Bartram Trail in Mississippi follows courses: (1) historical points of note along our Missis Gulf Coast; (2) a waterway route touching those specifically mentioned in Bartram's TRAVELS; and I inland route for hikers, canoers and horsebacl thusiasts. The trail will thus allow tourists of every to partake of the pleasures of scenic South Mississ which is what William Bartram would have wante This world, as a glorious apartment of the boundlt palace of the sovereign Creator, is furnished with infinite variety of animated scenes, inexpressibly beat ful and pleasing, equally free to the inspection and ? joyment of all his creatures.
?William Bartram, TRAVELS, p.
Mississippi At The Time of William Bartra Travels
In 1777, the southern one-half of what is now the! of Mississippi lay within the boundaries of British Florida, which had been established by King George proclamation of October 7, 1763, following the coi sion of the French and Indian War. The French contr the area around Mobile and the present Mississippi Coast. The segment of Mississippi which was sitx within the boundaries of British West Florida had, tl fore, previously been part of the province of Louis with the first French settlement having been mac what is now Ocean Springs (Old Biloxi) in 1699.
The British found Biloxi populated by only a families, who were the descendants of the orij
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