I've always wondered about how SE Michigan was explored in the 1700s. Much has been written about Detroit and its ribbon farms along the river. Less seems to have been written about early exploration of areas that are now Macomb and Oakland Counties.

I do know that Moravian Road was one of the first inland roads in the area. It linked up with the Moravian settlement on the Clinton River. We had a quick thread about Moravian Road in 2006:

http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/62684/89245.html?1166650284

So did the French or British explore the area inland? I read somewhere that a British party "discovered" Royal Oak, but can't recall where I read that. I also know that parties were sent north to the Pine River by Port Huron for a certain kind of lumber. I am talking pre 1800s....was much known about the region and its geography outside of the river settlements? Perhaps Burton covered this in his many books?