“John Fontaine (1693-1766) was the fifth child of James Fontaine, a French Huguenot minister, trader and schoolmaster who migrated from Santonge in France to north Devonshire and from there to Ireland. John Fontaine was born in Devonshire, but he drew to young manhood in Ireland. He was a soldier in Spain, an advance man seeking land for his family in Virginia, a watchmaker in London, and a county gentleman near Carmarthen in Wales where he died. Between 1710 and 1713, while serving in Spain, and during his trip to and stay in the New World, between 1714 and 1719, Fontaine periodically kept a journal.” (1)

They began their journey on 28th of August...

At five in the afternoon, the Governor gave orders to encamp near a small river, three miles from Germanna, which we called Expedition Run, and here we lay all night. This first encampment was called Camp Beverly in honor of one of the gentlemen of our party."

They reached Mine River on August 30th, following the river to a stream called Mountain Run, "three miles further at the foot of a small mountain," which we can assume to be Clark's Mountain, just southeast of Somerville Ford on the Rapidan River. They named their camp, Todd’s Camp. They had traveled six miles on this day.

On August 31st,... “At eight in the morning, we set out from Mountain Run, and after going five miles we came upon the upper part of

Rappahannock River…About five miles further we crossed the same river again, and two miles…and about two miles..., we encamped upon Rappahannoc River. From our encampment we could see the Appalachian Hills very plain...We called this Smith’s Camp. Made this day fourteen miles…” After this point, the expedition becomes more difficult to follow because of the complicated network of rivers and streams that accompany the transition from the piedmont to the Appalachian Mountains.

On September 1st, the expedition “ made the first five miles of our way through a very pleasant plain, which lies where Rappanhannoc River forks….About five of the clock, we came to a run of water at the foot of a hill...We called the encampment Dr. Robinson’s Camps, and the river, Blind Run...On this day we made 13 miles. ” (30)

On September 2nd, Fontaine writes, "after riding about fives miles we crossed Rappahannoc [Rappanhanock] Rivr, almost at the head...We had a rugged way; we passed over a great many small runs of water….We camped at five by a small river we called White Oak River, and called our camp Taylor’s Camp." It can be assumed that the river that they crossed was the Rapidan headwaters rather than the Rappanhanock, northeast of Standardsville.

On September 3rd, "At five of the clock we encamped almost at the head of James River,

just below the great mountains. We called this camp Colonel Robertson’s Camp.

We made all this day but eight miles..."

On September 4th, they left their horses as they prepared to scale the Appalachian mountains. Fontaine complained that, "The sides of the mountains were so full of vines and briers, that we were forced to clear most of the way before us.." They crossed through the mountains at Swift Run Gap, looking out

"from the top of it we had a fine view of the plains below. We were obliged to walk up the most of the way, there being abundance of loose stones on the side of the hill….We made about four miles, and so came to the side of James River,…this camp was called Rattlesnake Camp, but it was otherwise called Brooks’ Camp."

On September 5th, they passed through Swift Run Gap, as Fontaine described, "About one of the clock we got to the top of the mountain; about four miles and a half, and we came to the very head spring of James River, where it runs no bigger than a man’s arm, from under a large stone. We drank King George’s health, and all the Royal Family’s, at the very top of the Appalachian mountains."

"We found some trees which had been formerly marked, I suppose, by the Northern Indians, and following these trees, we found a good, safe descent. Several of the company were for returning,; but the Governor persuaded them to continue on....

....About five, we were down the other side, and continued our way for about seven miles further, until we came to a large river, by the side of which we encamped. We made this day fourteen miles. I being somewhat more curious than the rest, went on a high rock on the top of the mountain, to see fine prospects, and I lost my gun…. We called this place Spotswood Camp, after our Governor."

On September 6th, "We crossed the river, which we called the Euphrates..," which we now know to be the Shenandoah River.

"We called the highest mountain Mount George, and the one we crossed over Mount Spotswood."

On September 7th, they turned to the east, "we repassed the mountains, and at five in the afternoon we came to Hospital Camp,...We encamped here, and called it Captain Clouder’s Camp.."

On September 8th, they, "encamped on the side of a run, and called the place Mason’s Camp," they had travelled twenty miles by Fontaine's measure.

Finally, on September 10th, they arrived "at a large spring, where we dined and drank a bowl of punch. We called this Fontaine’s Spring. About two we got on horseback, and at four we reached Germanna.

The Governor thanked the gentlemen for their assistance in the expedition."