History of Popes Creek (Virginia) facts for kids
Popes Creek is a small stream in Westmoreland County, Virginia, that flows into the Potomac River. It's famous because the George Washington Birthplace National Monument is right next to it. This area is where George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born!
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Other Names for Popes Creek
Over time, Popes Creek has been known by a few different names:
- Cedar Creek
- Cedar Island Creek
- Fishing Creek
- Mister Pope's Creek
- Pope Creek
- Popes Creek
A Look Back: History of Popes Creek
The land around Popes Creek has a long history. One of the first official land grants, called a "patent," was given out in 1643. This land later became part of Westmoreland County. It was described as being next to "Cedar Island Creek," which is another name for Popes Creek. The name "Cedar Island" probably came from the small islands at the mouth of the creek.
After a war with the Native American leader Opechancanough ended in 1646, people were not allowed to move north of the Rappahannock River. But this rule was lifted in 1648, and many new settlers came to Virginia from England, Maryland, and New England. Important early settlers in the Popes Creek area included Hercules Bridges, Henry Brooks, and Nathaniel Pope.
Henry Brooks received a large land grant in 1657. His land was bordered by the Potomac River and two creeks, one of which was Popes Creek. Later, Henry Brooks divided his land into smaller pieces. One piece went to Nicholas Saxton and was near land owned by the Abbington family. This area eventually became known as Duck Hall.
The Pope Family and Their Influence
Nathaniel Pope was an important early settler in Maryland before moving to Virginia. He was involved in government and business. In 1651, he received a patent for over 1,000 acres of land in Virginia, located between two large creeks. One of these creeks would later be named after him: Popes Creek.
Nathaniel Pope built homes, warehouses, and docks at Mattox Creek. He traded goods with England, shipping things like beaver furs and tobacco, and importing English products. He was a wealthy man and became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the local militia.
Nathaniel Pope and his wife, Luce, had several children. Their daughter Anne married John Washington, who was George Washington's great-grandfather. This marriage created a strong connection between the Pope and Washington families, who often worked together in business and legal matters. Nathaniel Pope passed away in 1660.
Nathaniel's son, Thomas Pope, was a planter and merchant. He died in Bristol, England. His will mentioned his wife, Joanna, and several sons. Later, Thomas Lee, a very important figure in Virginia, bought a large piece of land from the Pope family called "the Clifts." On this land, Thomas Lee built a famous brick mansion known today as Stratford Hall. Thomas Lee became a member of the Governor's Council and even served as acting governor of Virginia for a short time.
There were two men named Nathaniel Pope living in the area around 1700, both grandsons of the original Nathaniel. One was known as Nathaniel "alias Bridges" and became a lawyer. The other was a mariner (sailor). A wine bottle seal found at George Washington's birthplace, marked "N. Pope 1715," likely belonged to Nathaniel "alias Bridges."
In 1728, Augustine Washington, George Washington's father, bought a mill at the head of Popes Creek from John Pope, who was the son of Nathaniel "alias Bridges." This mill stayed in the Washington family for many years.
The Washington Family at Popes Creek
Two ancestors of future U.S. Presidents, John Washington and Andrew Monroe, lived in the Popes Creek area in the 1600s. John Washington, George Washington's great-grandfather, was a respected member of the community. In 1664, the local church parish was even renamed "Washington" in his honor.
Augustine Washington, George Washington's father, moved to Popes Creek in 1718. George Washington himself lived at Popes Creek until he was three years old. He returned to stay with his half-brother Austin in his teenage years after their father passed away. When he was only 15, George Washington even drew an early map of the area!
The Washington family's home at Popes Creek was later called "Wakefield." Sadly, the mansion burned down on Christmas Day in 1779. Family stories say that much of the furniture was saved and moved across the frozen Popes Creek on the ice! The home was never rebuilt.
Other Important Families
Spencers of Cople Parish
Colonel Nicholas Spencer was another important early settler in Westmoreland County. He was a member of the House of Burgesses (an early form of government) and even served as acting Governor of Virginia. Spencer bought the land that is now Mount Vernon with his friend, Lieutenant Colonel John Washington. The Anglican church parish in Westmoreland, called Cople Parish, was named after Spencer's birthplace in England.
Wills of Westmoreland County
Wills are legal documents that show what people owned and who they left their property to after they died. Many wills from Westmoreland County mention Popes Creek, showing how important the area was.
For example, Lawrence Pope's will from 1723 mentions land on Popes Creek that he left to his son John. John Steel's will from 1736 also mentions land on Popes Creek. Robert Vaulx, another important landowner, had a large property that included land at the head of Popes Creek, which he left to his sons. These wills help us understand who lived in the area and how land was passed down through families.
Popes Creek Today
The land that was once the Popes Creek plantation was sold by the Washington family in 1813. However, part of it returned to the family in a way when John E. Wilson, who married a granddaughter of William Augustine Washington, took possession in 1867.
In the late 1800s, people began working to create a national monument at George Washington's birthplace. In 1883, the federal government bought 21 acres of land from John E. Wilson. This was the start of the effort to create the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, which you can visit today!
There was also an Episcopal Church called Popes Creek Episcopal Church, built around 1744 on land given by the McCarty family. The Lee and Washington families worshipped there. It fell into disuse around 1826 and was later burned down because it was unsafe.
Images for kids
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A scene along Popes Creek, about 200 feet from the birthplace of George Washington.
See also
- List of Virginia rivers
