1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts" and to the use of our report dated August 23, 1999 (except Note 12,
as to which the date is October 13, 1999) with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Eastern Oil & Gas, Inc.; our report dated August 23,
1999 with respect to the consolidated income statement and cash flows of the
domestic operations of Blazer Energy Corp. and subsidiary (formerly Ashland
Exploration, Inc.); our report dated August 23, 1999 (except Note 2, as to
which the date is October 13, 1999) with respect to the statement of assets
and trust corpus of the Appalachian Natural Gas Trust (formerly Appalachian
Basin Royalty Trust); and our report dated October 6, 1999 (except Note 5, as
to which the date is October 13, 1999) with respect to the statements of
revenues and direct operating expenses of the Underlying Properties of Eastern
States Oil & Gas, Inc. included in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of the Appalachian Natural Gas
Trust and Eastern States Oil & Gas, Inc. for the registration of beneficial
interest in the Appalachian Natural Gas Trust.


                                         /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Vienna, Virginia
October 13, 1999