Elizabeth City (Virginia Company) facts for kids

Elizabeth City was an important early settlement in the Virginia Colony. It was one of four main areas, called "incorporations" or "cities," set up in 1619. The Virginia Company of London, a powerful group, created these settlements following orders from Sir George Yeardley, the Governor. This helped England's king or queen benefit from the new land's natural resources and new places to sell English goods. It also gave England an advantage against Spain.

The four original "cities" were James City, Charles City, Henrico City, and Kecoughtan (which later became Elizabeth City). Each of these areas stretched across the James River, which was the main way to travel back then.

Elizabeth City was located right where the James River meets Chesapeake Bay. This spot was very important! It meant the settlement could control who traveled on the James River. New settlers arriving by ship often stopped at Elizabeth City first before moving on to the larger settlement of Jamestown.

How Elizabeth City Changed Over Time

The land where Elizabeth City was built was originally home to the Powhatan people. They had recently moved another Native American group out of the area before the English arrived. English settlers first came to this area in 1607. Their ships, like the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, stopped nearby at Portcomfort.

Kecoughtan was a Native American village on the land the settlers wanted. The English took over this village while the Powhatan men were away hunting. The first few years in Elizabeth City were very tough. People faced starvation, sickness, and fights with local Native American groups. The settlement was almost completely abandoned. However, it survived thanks to John Rolfe's success in growing tobacco in Elizabeth City and the surrounding areas.

In 1619, the General Assembly decided to rename Kecoughtan to Elizabeth City. This was done to honor the daughter of King James I, who became the Queen of Bohemia. In 1634, King Charles I of England divided Virginia into eight counties, or shires. One of these was Elizabeth City Shire, which later became Elizabeth City County.

At first, the Shire included land on both sides of the James River. But in 1636, a new county called New Norfolk County was created. This meant Elizabeth City lost its land south of the James River. In 1908, the size of Elizabeth County was reduced again when Hampton became its own independent city. Elizabeth City County was the first of the original shires to disappear. In 1952, the county and the town officially became the city of Hampton.

Elizabeth City and Native Americans

Life Before English Settlers Arrived

Native American peoples had lived in Virginia for over 12,000 years. The Powhatan Chiefdom lived on the land of Elizabeth City before 1607. This chiefdom was made up of over 30 tribes, all led by the powerful Powhatan Chief. These tribes joined together through marriages and by working against common enemies. The Powhatan Chiefdom controlled a large area, about 100 miles by 100 miles. Before the English arrived, about 25,000 people lived there.

Interactions After English Settlers Arrived

After the English settlers arrived, the Powhatan population sadly decreased. This was because the English brought diseases that the Native Americans had never been exposed to. They had no natural protection against them.

In the winter of 1607, the Powhatan chief sent gifts to settlements near Elizabeth City, like Jamestown. This was a sign of peace. His daughter, Pocahontas, often came with these gifts. In 1614, Pocahontas married the settler John Rolfe. This marriage helped keep peace between the Powhatans and the settlers for several years.

However, relations became very difficult during the conflict of 1622. About 350-400 settlers were killed in this conflict. This was a large percentage of Virginia's population at the time. Even though Elizabeth City itself was not attacked, its closeness to the affected settlements meant its population grew quickly as people moved there for safety. More conflicts happened after 1622 and continued for the next ten years. By 1630, Colonel William Claiborne set up a store to trade with Native Americans.

Growing the Population of Elizabeth City

Captain William Neuce moved to Elizabeth City in 1620. By 1625, he had brought 1,000 settlers to Virginia. This greatly increased the population of the settlements. In return, he received a special title and a large plantation. Elizabeth City and the surrounding area needed more people, so deals like this were common.

For example, Daniel Gookin Sr. arrived from Ireland in 1621 with 30 passengers. This created an Irish community in Elizabeth City. Another way to increase the population was the "Maids to Make Wives" program. This program started in England. It understood how important it was for Virginia to have more people so it could grow on its own. Young women from England, often from lower-class families, were brought to the colonies to marry settlers. In return, they received a fresh start and security.

Because of these efforts to increase the population, Elizabeth City grew quickly. By 1624, it had 349 people. By 1629, it had become a large and important settlement.

Elizabeth City was strongly Anglican. From the very beginning, it always had both a church and religious leaders. This was unusual for the area. A third church was added in 1667 to keep up with the growing population. Also, "Welcome buildings" for new immigrants opened in the 1620s.

Another reason people were attracted to Elizabeth City was farming. In 1617, French colonists tried growing grape vines. Later, in 1620, people experimented with growing silk. Both of these attempts had little success. However, other crops did very well, especially tobacco. By 1628, Elizabeth City and the surrounding area were full of peach farms. Another draw to the area was the cheap farmland. In 1626, a 150-acre farm was sold for 100 pounds of English money. Renting land was also an option for those who wanted something cheaper.