Historical collections of Virginia containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to its history and antiquities, together with geographical and statistical descriptions : to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia : illustrated by over 100 engravings, giving views of the principal towns, seats of eminent men, public buildings, relics of antiquity, historic localities, natural scenery, etc., etc. |
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GLOUCESTER. |
 | Historical collections of Virginia |  |
GLOUCESTER.
Gloucester was formed in 1642, from York. It lies on Chesapeake
Bay, and on the N. side of York River. Much barley was
formerly raised in the county; but, from some unknown cause, the
lands have ceased to be adapted for its cultivation. Indian corn
is the principal product. Pop., whites 4,412, slaves 5,791, free
colored 612; total 10,715.
Gloucester, the county-seat, lies immediately opposite Yorktown,
on the N. side of York River. It is a small, decayed village, containing
only a few dwellings. During the siege of York, it was
one of the outposts of Cornwallis, and the scene of some minor
military operations. There exist remains of redoubts thrown up
at that time. The earliest settlers in the co. were from Gloucestershire
in England—who not only transferred the names of places,
but the streams also; hence they have here their Severn, and other
rivers, and local denominations.
Rosewell, the seat of John Page, Esq., governor of Va. in 1802,
is on the York, nearly opposite the mouth of Queen's creek. It is
perhaps the noblest old mansion in the state, and is a most venerable
relic of antiquity. It is a cube of 90 feet, is four stories high,
and its appearance strikingly massive. The roof is flat, and leaded.
"It has been said that Mr. Jefferson and Gov. Page, in the
summer evenings, sometimes enjoyed conversation and the moonlight
scene there. From the top of Rosewell house, the view
stretches nearly ten miles up and down the river York, which is
there about three miles wide—a superb and lovely sheet of water,
as bright, as pure, and as sparkling blue as the waters of the
ocean. Before the house spreads a fair lawn—around the house
are a few trees: this enhances its simple grandeur, standing, as it
were, in the dignified solitude of some antique castle." Gov. Page
was distinguished for his talents and patriotism, and fulfilled his
numerous trusts, as governor of the state, representative in Congress,
&c., with honor. He died at Richmond, Oct. 11th, 1808, in
the 65th year of his age.
Gloucester has connected with its early history some most interesting
facts. Nathaniel Bacon, the leader of what has been denominated
"Bacon's Rebellion," died and was buried in this county.
The spot is not known, inasmuch as, in the language of a writer
(T. M.) of that day, his body "was so made away as his bones
were never found, to be exposed on a gibbet as was purposed—
stones being laid on his coffin—supposed to be done by Laurence."
In a late number of the Southern Literary Messenger, Charles
that it was in this county that Pocahontas rescued Capt. Smith.
Beneath is an extract from his communication touching this point:
Next to Jamestown, Werowocomoco is perhaps the spot most celebrated in the early
chronicles of Virginia. As Jamestown was the seat of the English settlers, so Werowocomoco
was the residence of the great Indian chief, Powhatan. It was the scene of
many interviews and rencontres between the settlers and the savages. It was at Werowocomoco
that supplies for the colony were frequently obtained; here that Smith once
saw suspended on a line between two trees, the scalps of 24 Payanketanks, recently
slain; here that Powhatan was crowned by Newport; and here that occurred the most
touching scene in the whole colonial drama—the rescue of Smith by Pocahontas. Werowocomoco
is on the York River, in the county of Gloucester. It may surprise some
readers to hear, that the rescue of Smith took place on the York, since, in the general
neglect of our early history, it seems to have been taken for granted by many that it took
place on James River. Smith and Stith, in their histories, put the matter beyond dispute.
Smith, Book II., p. 117, describes the Pamaunkee [now York] River, as follows:
"Fourteen myles northward from the river Powhatan is the river Pamaunkee, which is navigable 60
or 70 myles, but with catches and small barkes 30 or 40 myles farther. At the ordinary flowing of the
salt water, it divideth itselfe into two gallant branches. On the south side inhabit the people of Youghtanund,
who have about 60 men for warres. On the north branch Mattapament, who have 30 men.
Where this river is divided, the country is called Pamaunkee, [now West Point,] and nourisheth neare
300 able men. About 25 myles lower, on the north side of this river, is Werowocomoco, where their great
king inhabited when I was delivered him prisoner."
Again, Book II., p. 142, Smith says:
"At Werowocomoco, on the north side of the river Pamaunkee, [York,] was his [Powhatan's] residence
when I was delivered him prisoner, some 14 myles from James Towne where, for the most part,
he was resident."
Stith, as quoted by Burk's History of Virginia, Vol. I., p. 111, describes its position as
follows:
"Werowocomoco lay on the north side of York river, in Gloucester county, nearly opposite to the
mouth of Queen's creek, and about 25 miles below the fork of the river."
Upon a short visit made to that part of Gloucester county a year or two ago, I was
satisfied that Shelly, the seat of Mrs. Mann Page, is the famous Werowocomoco.
Shelly is on the north bank of the York River, in the county of Gloucester, said to be
about 25 miles from West Point at the head of the river, and is nearly opposite the mouth
of Queen's creek, lying somewhat above. It is true the word "nearly" is indefinite,
and it might be supposed that Werowocomoco, perhaps, lay a little below the point
opposite the mouth of Queen's creek instead of a little above. But the marshy, oozy
character of the bank of the York below Shelly, rendering it apparently uninhabitable,
seems to forbid the supposition. Werowocomoco, then, it may be taken for granted, was
either at Shelly, or at some point above Shelly. But as Shelly is nearly opposite the
mouth of Queen's creek, it is obvious that the further you proceed up the river, the less
appropriate will become the expression "nearly opposite."
Carter's creek, emptying into the York at Shelly, forms a safe harbor for canoes.
Smith, in a passage already quoted, mentions that Werowocomoco is 14 miles from
Jamestown. In Book III., p. 194, he says, that "he went over land to Werowocomoco
some 12 miles; there he passed the river of Pamaunkee in a salvage canow." Now,
as it was 14 miles from Jamestown to Werowocomoco, and 12 to the point on the south
bank of the York where Smith embarked in a canoe, it follows that Werowocomoco was
only two miles from that point; and Shelly, I take it, is just about two miles from where
it is probable Smith went into the canoe on that occasion.
Shelly adjoins Rosewell, (formerly the seat of John Page, Esq., sometime governor
of Virginia,) and was originally part of the Rosewell plantation; and I learned from
Mrs. Page, of Shelly, that Gov. Page always held Shelly to be the ancient Werowocomoco,
and accordingly he, at first, gave it that name, but afterwards, on account of the
inconvenient length of the word, dropped it, and adopted the title of Shelly, on account
of the extraordinary accumulation of shells found there. The enormous beds of oystershells
deposited there, particularly just in front of the Shelly-house, indicate it to have
been a place of great resort among the natives. The situation is highly picturesque and
beautiful; and looking, as it does, on the lovely and majestic York, it would seem, of
all others, to have been the befitting residence of the lordly Powhatan.
Charles Mynn Thruston, who was born in this county in 1738, was a descendant
of the old English cavaliers; and his ancestors were among the first settlers of
Gloucester. Mr. Thruston was educated at William and Mary. When 20 years of
age, he acted as a lieutenant of provincials, in the campaign which resulted in the
evacuation of Fort Duquesne. He afterwards studied for the ministry, and was chosen
rector of a parish in his native county. In 1769 he removed to Frederick county, where
he continued in the practice of his profession until the commencement of hostilities with
the mother country. He had been among the most prominent in repelling the attempt
to introduce the Stamp Act in Virginia, and he now embarked in the common cause
with an unconquerable zeal. He exerted himself to procure arms and ammunition, and
addressed the people at public gatherings by the most spirit-stirring and eloquent harangues.
Not content with this, parson Thruston threw aside the gown, and seizing
the sword, raised a volunteer company, composed of the élite of the young men of the
county; and he being chosen captain, they marched to join Washington in New Jersey.
He made a bold and vigorous attack on a strong Hessian picket near Amboy. In this
action his arm was shattered by a musket-ball, and he was carried, fainting with the
loss of blood, from the field. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of colonel; but
as the regiment to which he was appointed could not be raised, he became a supernumerary,
and was obliged to retire from the service. He never resumed his pastoral functions.
He held various public offices, among which was that of presiding judge of the
court of Frederick county, and member of the legislature. In 1809, the wants of a numerous
family occasioned him to remove to the west, where he died in 1812, aged 73.
The battle of New Orleans was fought upon the place of his burial. The ruthless invader
perished upon the tomb of the soldier-parson, who had employed tongue, pen, and
sword in the cause of American freedom, and perilled fortune and life under the star-spangled
banner. The venerable Judge Thruston, of Washington, over whose head the
snows of 80 winters have passed, and left an intellect unscathed and vigorous, is a son
of the warrior-parson of Gloucester.
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