Doddrige’s history covers the early settlements of western Virginia and Pennsylvania. About one-third of the book chronicles the wars between the Indians and the settlers. In another third of the book Doddrige addresses various aspects of life at this time, including the plants and animals of the region; the settlers’ law, morality and religion; illnesses and their cures; modes of trade and hunting; and other descriptions of early life west of the Alleghenies. The last third is a biography of Doddrige himself, written by his daughter, and also includes histories of prominent settlers of the region.