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59-773: The Northern Neck encompasses the following Virginia counties: Lancaster , Northumberland , Richmond ,and Westmoreland ; it had a total population of 50,158 as of the 2020 census . Commentators vary as to whether to include King George County in the Northern Neck. Historically, Charles II's grant for the Northern Neck included all land between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, including far upstream of King George County comprising some five million acres. The boundaries of King George and Westmoreland counties have changed radically since their establishment, with significant exchanges of territory. Significant portions of

118-612: A burgess and Puritan who was preparing to leave Virginia for Maryland and eventually Massachusetts. That land grant would become the core of Carter's Corotoman plantation . In December 1643 Carter patented 300 acres in Nansemond County for transporting six indentured servants to the colony. However, the Powhatan Confederacy under Opecancanough rose up against white settlers in 1644, killing many as well as destroying farms and livestock. Major John Carter led

177-427: A burgess representing Lancaster County, as well as hold local civil and military offices. In 1642-43, three others received land grants in what eventually became Lancaster County; then six years passed before Epaphroditus Lawson received a land grant for 700 acres beginning on the eastward side of the mouth of Slaughter's Creek and adjoining John Carter's land. The Virginia General Assembly officially allowed settlement of

236-572: A business arrangement with his maternal uncle Gabriel Benion (whose son Daniel was in the Virginia colony) and his partner Richard Glover. Carter tried to return to Virginia the next year, but the Spanish plate fleet captured the ship Elizabeth and took it and its passengers to Cadiz. In 1638, Carter managed to return to London, where he testified in the High Court of Admiralty about the value of

295-755: A church, which would be completed a year after his death, but later superseded by the historic church which remains today. On March 13, 1658, fellow Burgesses elected Carter to the Governor's Council, generally a lifetime appointment, but Carter was a Royalist during this era of the English Civil War, so the Burgesses postponed his re-election on March 19, 1659 until the following year, during which interval news reached Virginia concerning Oliver Cromwell's death and his succession as Lord Protector by his son Richard Cromwell. Carter objected so strenuously that

354-653: A daughter. He was buried with four of his wives in Lancaster County in the chancel of the church he helped build, Christ Church , a rebuilt version of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Carter owned about 2600 acres in Lancaster County at his death. An inventory of his estate listed contracts for 34 named indentured servants, as well as 42 enslaved Africans or people of African descent (with only first names and no ending date listed for their labor). His will and codicil (executed

413-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.71. In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 19.60% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 28.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

472-707: A member of the Maryland Governor's Council, and after his death Captain Henry Johnson (also of Maryland). In 1655, Carter married Eleanor Eltonhead Brocas, the widow of Capt. William Brocas (who had also served on the Governor's Council, Carter billed the estate for his services as an appraiser), although no children are known of that marriage, nor of Carter's next marriage, the following year in England, to Anne Carter, daughter of Cleve Carter (she died less than 2 years later, before 1662). Carter's fourth wife

531-521: A period of residence in Maryland, where he purchased land. Fleet again returned to England from 1646 until 1648, where he married a much younger woman, then brought her to Virginia, where he patented 1,750 acres of land in what soon officially became vast Lancaster County. Fleet became one of the county's first four burgesses in 1652 but died intestate in 1660 or 1661. Meanwhile, in 1634, the Crown reserved

590-602: Is a National Park Service unit . In 2004, the Menokin Bluegrass Festival was launched in Richmond County at the ruins of Francis Lightfoot Lee's ancestral home, Menokin. The festival attracts thousands of bluegrass fans every year to celebrate the Northern Neck's musical and historical heritage. The Richmond County Fair, started in 1989, is dubbed the "biggest Little Fair in the South." It

649-652: Is held in August in Warsaw. The King George Fall Festival, founded in 1959, is held the second weekend of October in King George County. All proceeds from this event go to support the King George Fire and Rescue. The Fall Festival Committee is made up of representatives from all of the county's community organizations. The Fall Festival includes a parade through town, a carnival, a craft fair, a dance, and

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708-626: Is located at 8311 Mary Ball Road in Lancaster, Virginia. Lancaster is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican Margaret Bevans Ransone in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lancaster County is home to the historic church of St. Mary's, Whitechapel , founded in 1669. Mary Ball Washington , mother of George Washington ,

767-597: Is now in Westmoreland County. Mixed vegetable and grain farming were adopted by the later colonial period. Later, the area developed a strong seafood industry. Reedville was once the wealthiest town in the United States, due to its menhaden fishing industry. Before the era of modern highways, many passenger and freight steamer routes linked the Chesapeake Bay region and connected with

826-650: The American Civil War , Northern Neck and particularly, King George County were on the frontier between the Union and Confederate armies. As such, King George was an operating base for spies on both sides. The Union forces controlled the Potomac River and the north shore of the Rappahannock River farther upstream for much of the war. While trying to elude Union cavalry, on April 21, 1865,

885-601: The French and Indian War . Meanwhile, in 1663 Carter acquired another 2,160 acres in Lancaster County. In October 1665, Carter received his largest land grant, for 4,000 acres because Captain Samuel Mathews (the Cromwellian governor) had died and abandoned his claim, as well as based on Carter's paying for eighty people to emigrate to Virginia, including 21 of African origin or descent. Carter settled on

944-526: The Governor's Council of the Virginia Colony and briefly acting Governor of Virginia (1726-1727) following the death in office of Governor Hugh Drysdale . His sons John Carter married Elizabeth Hill of Shirley Plantation and Landon Carter married Maria Byrd, daughter of Col. William Byrd II and resided at Sabine Hall , his grandson Robert Carter III inherited Nonomy Hall – purchased from

1003-625: The Village of Morattico Historic District . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 231 square miles (600 km ), of which 133 square miles (340 km ) is land and 98 square miles (250 km ) (42.4%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile (34 people/km ). There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 units per square mile (19 units/km ). The racial makeup of

1062-702: The Virginia General Assembly . He founded the more famous branch of the Carter family of Virginia . The immigrant ancestor of the other branch, Thomas Carter of Barford plantation (d. 1700) may have been related since both came from the same English village, and while Thomas Carter initially settled in Northumberland County, both men eventually settled in Lancaster County . Born probably in 1613 to Bridget Benion Carter,

1121-623: The railroads developed after 1830. Many important historical figures were born on the Northern Neck, including U.S. presidents George Washington (Westmoreland), James Madison ( Port Conway in King George), and James Monroe (Westmoreland), as well as signers of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee , and the Confederate Civil War general Robert E. Lee . Richard Henry Lee

1180-709: The Corotoman land by 1652, farmed it using indentured and enslaved labor, and made it his home. Carter served many terms in the House of Burgesses : representing Upper Norfolk County beginning in 1642 and Lancaster County beginning in 1652, as well as held local offices. By 1652, Carter was colonel of the Lancaster County militia. The following year Carter was one of the Justices of the Peace for neighboring Northumberland County , together with Richard Lee and Toby Fleet, and

1239-478: The Cromwellian Governor, Samuel Mathews , issued an arrest warrant for him. When King Charles II was restored to his throne the following year, he confirmed the reappointment of William Berkeley as Virginia's Governor, and Berkeley and Carter also received reparations for their tobacco and trade losses under the Cromwellian regime. Carter won reappointment to the Governor's Council and probably served

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1298-579: The Fall Festival Queen Pageant. Stratford Hall hosts an annual Historical Haunts program. Activities include ghost tours of the Great House, pumpkin painting, various Halloween crafts, picture-taking with Frankenstein and a witch, and an eighteenth-century fortune teller. Tourism is a significant source of economic activity in the Northern Neck region. Visitors are attracted to the natural resources, and history and heritage of

1357-476: The General Assembly also named Carter Commander-in-Chief of the militias of Northumberland, Lancaster and Rappahannock Counties -- all of which continued to face native American raids. In 1654 Carter was among Lancaster County's 117 enumerated households and paid taxes on 33 tithables (indentured and enslaved workers); in 1663 the number of his tithables had increased to 45, but a year later the county

1416-529: The Lancaster County militia on a retaliatory expedition against the Rappahannock tribe the next year, which led Governor William Berkeley to make a treaty restricting White settlers to lands south of the York River, although Carter's land was considerably north. By 1649 Governor Berkeley withdrew from that provision and again allowed settlements north of the York and even Rappahannock River, which eventually led to

1475-610: The National Heritage Area Act in 2022. The National Heritage Area will help preserve historic and cultural sites in the five counties. Lancaster County, Virginia Lancaster County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia . As of the 2020 census , the population sits at 10,919. Its county seat is Lancaster . Located on the Northern Neck near

1534-451: The Neck and in the regions farther south. In 1687, a widespread slave conspiracy was crushed in the Northern Neck. During a mass funeral, slaves in the area planned to kill all whites and escape. The plot was discovered, and its leaders executed. When authorities learned that they had plotted the uprising at gatherings for slave funerals, they prohibited such events. The next year, in 1688,

1593-427: The Northern Neck created strong antipathies between the Northern Neck and other regions of Virginia. Later as tobacco cultivation and erosion wore out the soil, and the remainder of the mid-Atlantic states became developed, the Northern Neck's importance declined. It was relatively isolated from main trade routes and cities. This isolation may be a product of the earlier antipathies related to the differences in society in

1652-400: The Northern Neck on October 12, 1648, by creating then-vast Northumberland County as the neck of land between those rivers. The Northumberland County Court was first held on August 24, 1650, and set up a government, only to be divided at the next General Assembly session, whereby the part west of the ridge became then-vast Rappahannock County . The original Northern Neck land grant in 1661

1711-440: The Northern Neck was the site of another attempted uprising, this one led by "Sam, a Negro Servt to Richard Metcalfe." A repeat offender, he had "several times endeavored to promote a Negro Insurreccon in this Colony." "To deter him & others from the like evil practice for time to come," the court ordered the sheriff of James City County to whip him severely and return him to the Westmoreland County sheriff to be whipped again. Sam

1770-732: The Potomac River to ensure they were inside Maryland, as the state border runs along the southern low tide line of the Potomac River. With the end of gambling, and improved access to competing beaches in Maryland and Delaware , Colonial Beach declined in popularity as a tourist destination. It and the rest of the Northern Neck still continue to attract dedicated outdoor enthusiasts for fishing and boating. The region has 1100 miles of shoreline, containing beaches, marinas, old steamship wharfs, and small towns that date to colonial times. Today small farms , vineyards , and wineries are interspersed with retirement communities and rural businesses that share

1829-717: The aforementioned Nicholas Spencer . Finally, the Tayloe Family established their family seat Mount Airy , on the southern shore of the neck, across from Tappahannock on a high perch overlooking the Rappahannock River. John Tayloe I , John Tayloe II who built Mount Airy and after Menokin for his son-in-law Francis Lightfoot Lee , John Tayloe III who later built the Octagon House and his sons John Tayloe IV, Benjamin Ogle Tayloe , William Henry Tayloe and George Plater Tayloe were all born here. During

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1888-520: The boy Henry Fleet was among the passengers on a ship taking new governor Francis Wyatt to Virginia, and shortly after his arrival he accompanied Captain Henry Spelman on a trading trip up the Potomac River that included founding a trading post in Georgetown , later incorporated into Washington, D.C. However, on March 22, 1622, Spelman and 19 crewmen were killed in a native village during

1947-470: The co-conspirators John Wilkes Booth and David Herold crossed by rowboat into the Northern Neck in King George County from Maryland after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln . Booth and Herold landed at the mouth of Gambo Creek before meeting with Confederate agents who guided their passage to Port Conway . There, they crossed the Rappahannock River to Port Royal in Caroline County . Booth

2006-498: The county was $ 24,663. Approximately 9.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over. Lancaster County is governed by a five-member board of supervisors. The board meets in the Lancaster County Administration Building at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month. The Administration building

2065-419: The county was 69.95% White , 28.88% Black or African American , 0.14% Native American , 0.34% Asian , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 0.10% from other races , and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 5,004 households, out of which 21.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 11.10% had

2124-877: The early King George County lie in present-day Westmoreland County. In the winter of 1607–08, Captain John Smith traveled up the Rappahannock River as a prisoner of the Powhatans . He was the first European known to have visited the Northern Neck. Undaunted, he repeated the voyage in June 1608, with 14 companions in an open barge, reaching the Potomac River by June 16. He visited Native American villages, including one near present-day Nomini , which he described and named in later accounts, but found no treasure, only an abundance of fur-bearing animals. In 1621,

2183-599: The excellent natural resources allowed rich planters to arise who established tobacco plantations in the Northern Neck. During the Colonial period, some considered the Northern Neck as the " Athens of the New World" because it had many wealthy landowners who were dedicated to learning, gentlemanly society, and civic duty. However, this elite society and economy was based on the exploitation of enslaved Africans and black Americans . The aristocratic society and autonomy of

2242-673: The exodus to the Virginia shore. In 1639, the Proprietors of the Island of Bermuda petitioned leave to have settlers occupy that land between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers. Although that petition disappeared and presumably was not granted, in 1641 the Virginia General Assembly granted the right to do so "provided that the number that seat there bee not under twoe hundred persons, and not less than six able tithable persons in everye familye that there sitt [sic]" and

2301-516: The following year also gave permission for prospective settlement north of the Rappahannock River while also denying "for divers reasons" the right to occupy the land. John Carter Sr. received the first specific land grant north of the Rappahannock River on August 15, 1642, for 1300 acres on Cossotomen Creak (which became Carters Creek). Carter settled on the land several years later, farmed it using enslaved labor and made it his home, creating Corotoman Plantation . Carter also would serve many terms as

2360-545: The goods he was taking to Virginia (which were lost; and records of the claim's payment are likewise lost), and married Jane Glyn. By 1640 John Carter and his wife had returned to the Virginia colony as emigrants, and soon settled in Upper Norfolk County (which is now Nansemond County ). In August 1642 Carter bought 1300 acres on Cossotomen Creak (which became Carters Creek) north of the Rappahannock River in what became Lancaster County from Daniel Gookin ,

2419-811: The land between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers for native Americans, calling it the "Chicacoan Indian District." Nonetheless, many of the original English settlers were Marylanders, who had settled on Kent Island but were caught in a long running controversy between Virginia trader (and burgess) William Claiborne and Lord Baltimore over the island's ownership. Claiborne aligned with the Parliamentary party during England's Civil War, and Lord Baltimore had been King Charles' Secretary of State before his death in 1632, shortly before King Charles formally affirmed Calvert's claim as superior. In late 1637 or early 1638, Lord Baltimore's son and heir Cecil Calvert sent his brother Leonard to occupy Kent Island by force, hence

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2478-886: The land. Since the 1970s, winemaking has increased in importance in the Northern Neck. The federal government has recognized the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area as a sanctioned wine appellation for wines grown in the five counties. Significant portions of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge lie in the Northern Neck. It also is home to five state parks and natural areas, including Caledon Natural Area, Bush Mill Stream Natural Area Preserve, Dameron Marsh Natural area, and Westmoreland and Belle Isle state parks. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument

2537-710: The local Virginia agent for the England-based proprietor, but also a powerful politician and landowner in his own right. The relation between proprietary lands and non-proprietary lands created considerable confusion and some degree of semi-autonomy relative to the colonial government until the American Revolution . Most early development occurred on the peninsula's eastern end, because both the Potomac and Rappahannock river were navigable waters, and roads were limited and/or in poor condition. The autonomy and

2596-561: The mouth of the Rappahannock River , Lancaster County is part of the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace wine-growing region recognized by the United States as an American Viticultural Area . Lancaster County is the most densely populated county in the Northern Neck. The largest town in Lancaster County is Kilmarnock, Virginia . The county's area code is 804. Lancaster County

2655-413: The peninsula. Natural attractions include national parks, state parks, and agri-tourism, while a number of historic sites related to the nation's founders are open to the public. Colonial Beach, Westmoreland State Park, Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge, and many other locations provide water access for fishing, boating, and yachting. The region has twenty-seven marinas. There are nine wineries in

2714-634: The region that may be found on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. Other popular Northern Neck attractions include Stratford Hall , the birthplace of Robert E. Lee and an example of a Virginia plantation, George Washington Birthplace National Monument , the Westmoreland Berry Farm , and the Westmoreland State Park with Horsehead Cliffs. The Northern Neck National Heritage Area was established in

2773-440: The rest of his life, although many of those records were lost or destroyed. Carter married five times. He married his first wife, Jane Glynn, in England, and she bore two sons (George and John Jr.) and a daughter (Elizabeth) before she died. While George died at age 18 (before reaching legal adulthood), John Carter Jr. (d. 1690) would also serve in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Their daughter Elizabeth married Nathaniel Utie,

2832-680: The second wife of the London merchant and vintner John Carter, he was christened on December 18, 1614 at Christ Church Parish of Newgate Street in London, near St. Paul's cathedral. He (and his 2-year older brother Thomas), had kinship ties to members of the Virginia Company of London , which financed the first expeditions to Virginia, but whose charter was revoked in 1624. Although some histories portray Carter as an unhappy supporter of King Charles I who fled England after that royal execution, one biographer speculates Carter may have been learning

2891-754: The tobacco trade, and may have been a relation of Edward Carter (d. 1682) who served with him in the House of Burgesses as well as the Virginia Governor's Council. John Carter, age 22, sailed to the Virginia Colony from England in 1635 aboard the ship Safety with his elder brother Thomas, but returned to England the same year to court Jane Glyn (whose father owned land in Middlesex, England and Llanidloes and Montgomershire in Wales), and also made

2950-594: The widespread massacres on that day, but Fleet was allowed to live as a prisoner until ransomed five years later. He soon sailed to England and formed a business relationship with William Cloberry, who funded a trading voyage from Virginia to New England. By 1628 Fleet had accumulated enough money to buy a plantation in Accomac County on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and he continued to support his family by trading as well as acting as an interpreter with native tribes, including for Maryland Governor Leonard Calvert during

3009-438: Was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.50 males. Type of workers for this country are: Private wage or salary (72%); Government (15%); and Self-employed (12%). The median income for a household in the county was $ 33,239, and the median income for a family was $ 42,957. Males had a median income of $ 30,592 versus $ 23,039 for females. The per capita income for

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3068-589: Was Sarah Ludlow, who bore a daughter (Sarah, who died as an infant) and son ( Robert Carter I (1664-1672)). Robert would become known as "King Carter" for his wealth and prominence in Virginia society and politics. On October 24, 1668, Carter signed a marriage contract with Elizabeth Sherley, who survived him. However, as contemplated in his will, she returned to England with their son Charles (b. 1669), who probably died shortly before reaching legal age in 1690. Carter died on January 10, 1670 (affected by subsequent calendar changes), survived by his widow, three sons and

3127-410: Was a land grant first issued by the exiled English King Charles II in 1649. It encompassed all the unsettled lands bounded by the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and, later, by a straight line (the " Fairfax Line ") connecting their sources. This grant was significantly larger than the area currently known as the Northern Neck. John Carter's descendant received the nickname King Carter and was not only

3186-615: Was born in the parish of St. Mary's. Rappahannock General Hospital is in Kilmarnock, it is the only hospital on the Northern Neck. Other attractions are: 37°43′N 76°25′W  /  37.71°N 76.41°W  / 37.71; -76.41 John Carter Sr. John Carter (1613–January 10, 1670) was an English merchant who emigrated to the Virginia colony , where he speculated in land, established plantations using indentured and enslaved labor, and served in both houses of

3245-465: Was elected as the sixth president under the Articles of Confederation . Also residing in Westmoreland was Colonel Nicholas Spencer , member of the House of Burgesses , secretary and president of the Governor's Council , and on the departure of his cousin Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper (aka Lord Culpeper), acting governor. Robert Carter I , agent for Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron , born at Corotoman Plantation , became President of

3304-402: Was established in 1651 from Northumberland and York counties. It was home to Robert King Carter in the 18th century, and remaining buildings from that time include Christ Church and St. Mary's, Whitechapel . Other historic attractions open to the public include the Lancaster Courthouse Historic District including the Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library , Belle Isle State Park , and

3363-411: Was killed and Herold captured a short distance away at Garrett's Farm . Colonial Beach , a small incorporated town in Westmoreland County located on the Potomac River waterfront, developed as a popular tourist spot for the people of the Washington, D.C. area in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It offered a beach, swimming, and gambling. The gambling facilities were built on piers extending into

3422-451: Was physically reduced to the land which became present day Lancaster and Middlesex Counties . By his death, Carter had 58 tithables. In 1655 Carter also became the tax collector for all major ships entering the Rappahannock River, for which he was paid 4% of the tax levied. In 1655/56, Carter also built the lower courthouse for the county, but ran overbudget. A decade later, when Carter was warden of Christ Church , he began construction of

3481-417: Was sentenced to forever wear "a strong Iron collar affixed about his neck with four sprigs." Should he leave his master's plantation or remove the collar, he would be hanged. In February 1766, 115 Northern Neck prominent citizens signed the Leedstown Resolutions, named after Leedstown , an active port in (then) King George County . This was the first recorded act of resistance against the Stamp Act. Leedstown

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