Dave Taylor's Great Adventure

[L Verge]

Mr. Farrell - Please tell me your source for referring to the King's Highway in Maryland. During the colonial era, nearly every colony had a King's Highway for some reason, but I have never found reference to the one in Virginia extending into Maryland nor of Maryland having created one of her own. This is the second time I have seen you refer to this, and I am really curious.

I also thought that most states dropped that name after the Revolutionary War, with some bringing the term back in the 1900s as our interstate highway system grew and we also recognized historical factors. The true King's Highway of the colonial era began as the Boston Post Road, I believe, and supposedly ran from Boston to Charleston. From what I have read, however, it was not much of a road in most areas -- just a maze of wheel tracks and ruts. Many people depended on river travel instead.

I am happy to see that you have noted Rick Smith's research concerning Newport, James Owens, and the mysterious men on horseback led by a young boy (Samuel Cox, Jr., perhaps?). Mr. Hall commented on Owens in his notes many long years ago, but Rick is the only one that I know of who has picked up and run with the research. He contributed a very interesting article to the Surratt Courier several years back on the subject and has recently discussed it on this forum. To me, it is a very credible lead to follow.