First People Of The Eastern Shore

When the English first visited the Eastern Shore in 1608, they found an area which had been inhabited for centuries by Algonquian Indian Tribes. Today archaeologists have found on or near the Arlington Plantation, shards of ceramics known as Roanoke ware and ossuaries burial bundles from the Early Archaic (8000-6500 B.C.) through the late Woodland Contact period.

Research indicates that the village of Accawmack, seat of Esmy Shichans, the Laughing King, was at the mouth of Old Plantation Creek, as was later the Custis mansion. By 1622 Thomas Savage, an interpreter and English settler, had established a home nearby on land given to him by Esmy Shichans, and their friendship made for a peaceful environment between the Indians and the English planters living in the southern part of the peninsula.

However, after the deaths of both Shichans and Savage, relationships changed as planters pushed for more and more land on which to grow corn and tobacco. By the l64O's, some Indians (now known as the Gingaskins) remained in the Old Plantation Creek area, but many moved to acreage farther north on the Shore. Relations between the two groups became increasingly strained and contacts shifted from friendly to warlike skirmishes and bitter legal battles. By 1700 the Indians on the Shore passed from a position of prominence
to one of virtual insignificance.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Cape Charles, VA  |  Northampton County  |  23310  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Mansion Site Historical
Slavery on the Eastern Shore Historical
Bacon's Rebellion Historical
The Custis Tombs Historical
Arlington Historical
Cape Charles Colored School
Cape Charles
Cape Charles to Little Creek
The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater
Rails Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.