User talk:James D. Knight/sandbox

Regarding sources for Early History paragraph: Is there author/date info for the archaeology report? The website for Campbell County History is archived. Is there a live page with this information? Do these sources identify where the information was originally obtained? dddonald (talk) 13:25, 22 February 2018 (UTC)

Hello, here is the letter to George Washington. https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw4.108_0732_0736/?sp=1 Mlemon1 (talk) 17:14, 22 February 2018 (UTC)

Great content and good use of sources. You may want to consider simplifying the first paragraph. Do we have sources that can affirm Callaway's intentions and his disappointment? In any case, give a specific date for the founding of the town (following the conventional use in the sources). If you wish to include part about Callaway's initial plan, you'll want to clarify it.

I believe the courthouse was accompanied by a jail (not a prison). And I think you want "frontier" instead of "forefront" for New London's place in colonial Virginia.

Can we include something about what the town was like during this period? I believe some of the sources describe it. Also consider adding something about its significance during the Revolutionary War.

An excellent start! dddonald (talk) 15:23, 27 February 2018 (UTC)

No changes. See my suggestions above and make adjustments where needed. dddonald (talk) 14:04, 6 March 2018 (UTC)

Abigail's Peer Review
Would also put more of an emphasis on the fact that New London was located on the edge of the frontier. Mentioning the importance of the Proclamation of 1763 would also help add historical context, and help add to the frontier aspect.

Briefly mention the importance the Revolutionary War had on the town.

Reword the description of the Prison and Courthouse. Amoore97 (talk) 17:14, 6 March 2018 (UTC)

Adding a picture of the courthouse would work for this section. Amoore97 (talk) 15:09, 8 March 2018 (UTC)

Peer Review
First major criticism: Remove the list format under "Early History" and convert content into proper paragraphs. Second major criticism: Remove redundant language and points of content. This includes phrases such as "recently-founded County of Bedford" as such statements have already been made in the introduction. Third major criticism: Polish the grammar some more.

My recommendation (recommended removal will be italicized and recommended additions will be bolded) (it is not completely marked up):

In 1753, the Assembly of the recently-founded County of Bedford Bedford County received a proposition by from an influential Virginian plantation owner named by the name of William Callaway to build a new town for the county on his land. While this the initial plan did not come to the eventual desired fruition, in 1754, Callaway donated one hundred acres of his local rural properties for the new town to be erected upon in 1754.[1] He himself Callaway would not own the town and its lands as he desired, but should the new settlement grow and prosper, his other local properties would rise in value; this benefitted both Callaway himself and however, he would still prosper due to the business of other locals who would engage in business in the new township.[1] Callaway had a wooden prison and courthouse built on the site over the following few months.[1] In November, upon the building's completion, New London's plan was laid down. At the time, Bedford county was the western forefront of Virginia, and it had no major settlements or townships to center itself upon, economically or governmentally.[1] After being laid out, it was established as the county seat for the County of Bedford.[2] Three years later, in 1757, Callaway finally transffered the deed of the town's land to the township.[1] Only four years later, in 1761, the township of New London was finally made official.[1] — Preceding unsigned comment added by John McGrath (talk • contribs) 17:14, 6 March 2018 (UTC)

Maria's Picture Suggestion
I would suggest maybe a picture of an old New London map or a picture of what New London looked like.

Maria Long — Preceding unsigned comment added by MLong12 (talk • contribs) 04:27, 8 March 2018 (UTC)

Mlemon1 Peer Review
The founding of the town is well covered in this section but you have barely covered any social or cultural events of the 18th century. I would recommend mentioning the Hook-Henry court case and the founding of New London Academy. Also, I would change your main heading to say History with a subheading for Founding and Early History so that it flows better with the other history sections. You also should look at adding more sources to your section to bolster its credibility. Also, I noticed that you put markers at the beginning of to every paragraph, is that really a necessary feature keep? For photos, I would suggest the drawing of the original courthouse and maybe a map of the town from the 1700s. Mlemon1 (talk) 07:56, 8 March 2018 (UTC)