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©electing a lord called for some thought. Usually it was where a stream widened so the water became shallow and moved relatively slowly. You did not want to be swept away by a rushing freshet of water after a rainfall or snowmelt. It helped to have the stream run in a straight line for considerable distance so water would not shift banks on curves. A hard, flat bottom, relatively free of rocks also was required so wagons would not sink into mud or have a wheel broken. A good ford often was used later as a bridge site.
Along the Rapidan River in Orange County there were quite a few fords. Patricia J. Hurst, a meticulous writer of history in Rapidan, VA, notes many, such as Wilhoite's, White s, Willis, Liberty Mills, Cave's, Walker's, Barnett's (Madison Mills), Peyton's, etc. Traders crossed fords to get goods to and from markets. Travelers crossed to go about their business or pleasure.
At times, fords became impassible and travel came to a halt. People, animals, and wagons of goods would have to wait next to fords for water levels to subside. They became a captive crowd for mills that
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