Editing Clifton, Virginia (section)

===Colonial era===
Before the arrival of European settlers, the present-day Clifton area was part of the hunting grounds used by [[Algonquin language|Algonquin]]-speaking members of the [[Doeg tribe|Dogue tribe]]. The Dogue lived in villages and towns along the [[Potomac River]] and nearby Occoquan River. They carved bowls out of [[soapstone]] found in the area.<ref>Michael F. Johnson, ''American Indian Life in Fairfax County 10,000 B.B. to A.D. 1650'', Heritage Resources Information Series: Number 3, Office of Comprehensive Planning, Fairfax County, Virginia</ref>

European settlers composed of [[Scottish Americans|Scots]] merchants created the first nearby [[port]] settlement in the mid-1710s on the [[Potomac River]] near the present-day [[Dumfries, Virginia|Dumfries]]-[[Triangle, Virginia|Triangle]] area.<ref>Fairfax Harrison, ''Landmarks of Old Prince William,'' Volumes I & II, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, 1987, pp. 371-396.</ref> Land in the Clifton area began to be settled in the early 18th century.<ref>Beth Mitchell, ''Beginning at a White Oak...Patents and Northern Neck Grants of Fairfax County,'' County of Fairfax, 1977.</ref>