GLOUCESTER
Notable Places in Gloucester
Werowocomoco— Powhatan’s village, on the banks of Purton (Poetan) Bay— is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Archaeological excavations at the site have verified the existence of an extensive Native American settlement, encompassing fifty acres, from 1200 AD to the early seventeenth century. The site also coincides with the accounts of Captain John Smith and early maps which spelled the name of the bay as “Poetan” and described the site to a tee. The presence of English items from the Jamestown settlement also helped to verify the site as being the seat of Powhatan, who was fascinated by English objects.
Powhatan’s Chimney Powhatan’s Chimney
Gloucester lore had long held that “Powhatan’s Chimney” was the site of Werowocomoco, although archaeological evidence has now proven otherwise. History records that John Smith ordered Dutch workers to build a house and chimney for Powhatan as part of an agreement between the two men, designed to quell tensions between them. As a result of information obtained from the Dutch, as well as Smith’s failure to provide the firearms Powhatan requested as part of a good faith exchange for corn (during a time of drought and famine) the trust between the men eroded. With the colonists requiring more corn and food resources and Powhatan growing weary of the “gimmy” mentality of the colonists, he quietly moved his headquarters to a more secluded location on the Chickahominy River, perhaps after the chimney had been built. He may have been influenced
to make this move by his half-brother, Openchancanough, who wanted to see more distance between them and the English.
The collapse of the great chimney in 1888 facilitated the creation of the APVA (Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities), who later rebuilt the chimney. Whatever the case may actually be and whoever the builders were— the chimney stands today as a monument to two great men, two great cultures and the clash of those cultures that later ensued.
Abingdon and Ware Churches
Two of the eight remaining colonial churches in Virginia can be found in Gloucester. Abingdon and Ware churches have truly stood the test of time. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are known to have frequented the Church at Abingdon, which was built around 1755. It is the second church on the site. The interior was restored to its original colonial appearance in the 1980s. Ware Church was built sometime in the second quarter of the 18th century and served many of Gloucester County’s most notable citizens of the day. The exterior brick is laid in Flemish bond with clear blue glazed headers and gauged brick arches. Original woodwork remains on the interior as well. A breathtaking display of daffodils blooms on the grounds draws admirers every year, from far and wide.
Tyndall’s Point and the Gloucester Point Archaeological District
Tyndall’s Point was named for John Tyndall who surveyed the Chesapeake Bay with Captain John Smith and Christopher Newport. There were three know forts to have been built here throughout the years. In 1667, fortifications and a stockade were built to protect the area from attack by Dutch forces which were at war with England. It was officially named Fort James in 1671. In 1781 fortifications were built by
Cornwallis as a fall-back point for the British if they needed them during the siege of Yorktown. The Virginia Militia and French forces of the Duke de Lauzon led the attack against Tarleton on the Gloucester side. This forced a British
Ware Church 36 Abingdon Church March/April 2011
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