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Gloucester County is an historical Chesapeake county located on the Middle Peninsula of the U.S. state — officially, "Commonwealth" — of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 34,780.
History
The history of Gloucester County, located in the first district of the United States, began soon after the settlement of Jamestown in 1607. Named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of Charles I, Gloucester County figured prominently in the history of the colony and the Commonwealth of Virginia. When English settlers arrived at Jamestown in 1607, the Indian stronghold of Chief Powhatan was located on the north side of the York River, in what is now Gloucester. It was here that Powhatan built his home, Werowocomoco. According to legend, his daughter, the Princess Pocahontas saved the gallant Captain John Smith from death at the hands of the Indians, and thus, entered the pages of Virginia's history. Early land patents were granted in 1639, but it was not until after 1644 that Gloucester was considered safe for settlement. George Washington's great grandfather received a Gloucester County land patent in 1650. Gloucester County was formed from York County in 1651, and consisted of four parishes: Abingdon, Kingston, Petsworth and Ware. Kingston parish became Mathews County in 1791 and the remaining three parishes stayed Gloucester, as the county was split on what is now the Eastern county line. In the 1600s and 1700s, Gloucester was a tobacco producing area, and many old plantation homes and magnificent private estates remain today in perfect condition. From time to time, these establishments are open to public visitation during Historic Garden Week. In addition, there are fine examples of Colonial architecture in the churches of Ware (1690) and Abingdon (1755), and some early buildings remain at the county seat on the Courthouse Green actively serving the public. In the seventeenth century, the tip of land protruding into the York River, across from Yorktown, was named Tyndall's Point by Robert Tyndall, mapmaker for Captain John Smith. Later named Gloucester Point, fortifications were built here in 1667, and were rebuilt and strengthened many times from colonial days through the American Civil War. This site is also known as the "Second Surrender" by General Charles Lord Cornwallis to General George Washington at Yorktown. Following English settlement, Gloucester became home to many colonial leaders. Several other points of interest include Warner Hall, George Washington's maternal grandmother's home, which is now a B&B; Rosewell, where Thomas Jefferson spent many nights with his friend John Page; and both presidents Washington and Jefferson worshiped (often spotted together at the same service) at Abingdon Episcopal Church. Other notable Gloucestonians include John Buckner, who in 1680 brought the colony its first printing press; John Clayton, world renowned botanist; Dr. Walter Reed, born in the Clay Bank area of Gloucester, conqueror of yellow fever during the building of the Panama Canal; Lawyer and civil rights activist T. C. Walker, though born in slavery, broke those chains and became one of Gloucester's first and most respected, successful African-American businessman; and Robert R. Moton, who successfully fought and lobbied for a Black man to be appointed as an assistant to the Secretary of War. The history of the daffodil in Gloucester County, Virginia, is almost as old as the county itself. When Gloucester was formed in 1651 from part of York County the early settlers brought these soft reminders of English springs as they established themselves in the area. The soil and weather conditions were ideal for daffodils. The bulbs were passed from neighbor to neighbor and spread from the orderly beds and burying grounds of the great houses to the fields. Some, such as the hardy Trumpet Major variety, seemed to thrive on neglect. By the beginning of the 20th century daffodils grew wild in the untended fields of Gloucester. It is from this abundance of natural beauty that grew the extensive daffodil industry which earned the county the title "Daffodil Capital of America" in the 1930s and 40s. They also hold an annual Daffodil Festival to commemorate this stapled flower. One interesting area of Gloucester County is known as Guinea, containing Bena, Severn, and Big Island. Located near Gloucester Point, the area has historically been the center of the seafood industry of the county, being led by some of the founding families of Gloucester, such as Shackleford, Rowe, and Belvin. While the number of participants in this industry has declined over the years, it still remains the industrious and cultural core of the community. These watermen are known locally as "Guineamen." This term is not inherently derisive, but is often used as such by residents residing in other parts of Gloucester County. Guineamen speak a distinct, heavily-accented form of non-rhotic Southern Vernecular English, but not necessarily a distinct dialect. The name "Guinea" is of uncertain origin; however, a commonly held explanation is that this area of Gloucester County was named "Guinea" in an effort to deride the Tories (Loyalists) who quartered Hessian mercenaries in service of the British Crown during the Revolutionary War - soldiers who were paid one Guinea per day. It is believed the Hessians were attached to General Charles Lord Cornwallis' (of Yorktown fame) army and either occupied lower Gloucester during the closing days of the Revolutionary War or deserted their service fighting for the British. What is known is Cornwallis sent British troops and cavalry (under the command of Colonel Banastre Tarleton) to occupy Gloucester in October 1781, and Hessians may have been a part of that contingency and were sent to secure lower Gloucester due to its strategic importance at the mouth of the York River. Timeline
Population History
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