Salt Shaker Press: Joseph Hannah and the "Old Field.

Let's talk about Joseph Hannah and the "Old Field."

He settled on a site known as the "Old Field," which is near the present William Field home.

This "Old Field" held significance as a gathering place for Native American hunting parties and was likely a temporary campsite for them during the spring and early autumn.
William Gibson cleared about two acres of the "Old Field" about seventy-five years before this source was written, suggesting the land was already established as a significant location by the time Hannah arrived.
The area had likely already been planted by the time Hannah arrived because the sources note that the "Old Field" "was the first piece of ground planted by Joseph Hannah". This apparent contradiction in the source material might be explained by the fact that the clearing of two acres by William Gibson would have been done after the initial planting by Joseph Hannah.

An interesting feature of the "Old Field" is a "Magic Circle" found in a meadow near the Gibson farm.
This circle, about 132 feet in diameter, formed by a strange grass that grows in figures not seen anywhere else.
The figures within the circle resemble rattlesnakes swallowing each other, possibly representing the succession of night and day or the cycle of life and death.

The "Old Field" played an important role in the lives of early settlers and Native Americans alike.
It was a place where hunters gathered to seek favor from a higher power before their hunts.
With the arrival of pioneers, it became a desirable location for homes due to its social and religious significance.
The presence of the "Magic Circle" adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the history of the "Old Field," making it a fascinating subject for further exploration.

This combination of historical and cultural significance makes the "Old Field" a notable landmark in the history of Pocahontas County.

Salt Shaker Press