SUSAN CONSTANT, GODSPEED and DISCOVERY

 29 Jan 23:

3 ships of the first Jamestown Expedition, SUSAN CONSTANT, GODSPEED and DISCOVERY.

Image: Travel With Annita

FMI: Jamestown Expedition

Warraskoyack Tribe

29 Jan 23:

The Warraskoyack Indians, members of the Powhatan paramount chiefdom, lived near the mouth of the Pagan River and along its tributaries. Their town of Mokote likely stood in the vicinity of present-day Rescue, while Mathomouk was probably situated along Burwell Bay. The principal settlement of Warraskoyack was located farther inland, perhaps east of modern Smithfield

The Warraskoyak were an Algonquian-speaking tribe in Tsenacommacah. The Warraskoyak werowance, Tackonekintaco, paid tribute to paramount chief Powhatan. The homeland of the Warraskoyak provided easy access to oysters and fish from the river. It had been occupied for at least 5,500 years. Sea level rise at the end of the last Ice Age drowned the mouth of the Pagan River, and the resulting wetlands were valued food sources for Native Americans long before the evolution of the Warraskoyak tribe. 

Inland, across the watershed divide separating the James and Blackwater rivers, hunting and gathering opportunities were rich in what today are labeled Pettit and Belle Meadow pocosins and Pouches, Passenger, and Rattlesnake swamps. In those swamps and woods, the Warraskoyak must have encountered Iroquoian-speaking Nottaway hunters coming up the Blackwater River. 

The Algonquian-speaking Quiyoughcohannock lived to their west, upstream on the James River beyond Hog Island. The powerful Algonquian-speaking Nansemond tribe, with 200 warriors according to John Smith, lived downstream on the Nansemond River with a "kings house" on Dumplin Island. The size of the Nansemond tribe would have deterred the Warraskoyak from conflict, if those neighbors chose to hunt near Mokete, Mathomauk, or the king's house of the Warraskoyak. From those three towns, the Warraskoyak found it easy to canoe out into the James River to trade with the English. They welcomed visitors from Jamestown, bypassing Powhatan with direct trade of food for metal tools and prestige goods. At John Smith's request, they hosted an English boy so he could learn the Algonquian language and facilitate trade and diplomacy. 

In early 1608, the Warraskoyak allowed a Paspahegh guide to lead two Jamestown colonists into their territory to search for survivors of the "lost colony" on Roanoke Island. Later that year, they assisted another searcher, Michael Sicklemore, to journey towards the Chowan River on another futile expedition. 

FMI.

Warraskoyack Tribe

Historical Marker

Smithfield Waterfront in the Days of Sail

29 Jan 23:

We purchased this watercolor that depicts the Smithfield waterfront along the Pagan River in the days of sail. The warehouses were destroyed in the 1921 fire, and taking their place now are a few townhouses, a dock and the headquarter facilities for Smithfield Foods. 

Image: Artist unknown

Permission from Smithfield Foods is required to access the public dock. The Pagan River is accessible from the James River, Clontz Park boat ramp and Jones Creek Boat Ramp.

FMI: Smithfield Waterfront

Topographic Maps and Nautical Charts

Maps are important through time, as some spots have gone by different names. For some areas we'll refer to the 1918 Smithfield US Geological Survey topographic map.

Garmin Active Captain is a good reference for the modern day waterways.

FMI: Maps

Lot 32 - 113 S. Mason Street

Lot 32 - 113 S. Mason Street

29 Jan 23:  Built 1750-1760, called the Mary Jackson House. Giles Driver, a mason, purchased the home from Mary Jackson's estate around 1765 and owned it for several years. Mason Street was formerly known as Driver's Alley, renamed Mason's Street for Freemasons who helped pave the local streets. Driver was also a mason,  

FMI: Historic District

Historic District

29 Jan 23:

The Historic District for our purposes will focus on the first 72 lots laid out in a 1750 survey, 2 years before the Town of Smithfield was incorporated. The image below is taken from a map prepared by Helen Haverty King, updated by the Isle of Wight County Museum and Isle of Wight County Historical Society. Without their dedicated and sustained efforts, none of this research would have been possible. Copies of the entire map can be purchased from the Museum. 

 FMI: 

Helen Haverty King

Historic District

Isle of Wight County Museum

Welcome to Smithfield Seaport

Hampton Roads, the James and Pagan River and numerous creeks created access to the thriving seaport of Smithfield until the mid 1900s, when roads became the preferred method of transportation. The purpose of this blog is to document the maritime history of the area through analysis of physical artifacts and recorded personal histories.

A disastrous fire in 1921 destroyed the warehouse waterfront. Driving through modern day Smithfield it may be hard to imagine the hustle and bustle of the waterfront, where large schooners brought in trade items from other Colonial and European seaports. then departed with cargo holds full of lumber, ham, peanuts, produce and other materials. Many inhabitants of the town were mariners, but very few today practice the trade or make their living from the water.