Gloucester County, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads
metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
, third son of King Charles I
of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula
region, it borders the York River
and the lower Chesapeake Bay
. It is about 75 miles east of Virginia's capital, Richmond
. According to the 2010 Census, the population is 36,858. The county seat is Gloucester Courthouse
.
Gloucester County has much history important to the Hampton Roads
region of Virginia. It was the site of Werowocomoco
, a capital of the large and powerful Native American Powhatan Confederacy, which affiliated 30 tribes under a paramount chief
. It was home to members of early colonial First Families of Virginia
and important leaders in the period up to the American Revolutionary War
. Thomas Jefferson
wrote early work for Virginia and colonial independence at Rosewell Plantation
, then the home of John Page, his close friend and fellow student at the College of William and Mary
. As the war concluded with the British surrender at Yorktown
, directly across from Gloucester Point
, the county almost served as the escape route for the British land forces led by General Cornwallis
. A French effort kept British naval forces from assisting him.
Long the domain of Virginia watermen and the fishing industry, Gloucester County is also rich in farmland. Today it has one Starbucks cafe, a Walmart, as well as several smaller companies, and a regional, family-owned chain of supermarkets. It has a small-town, friendly, southern atmosphere, exemplified by the stores around the main street area at the county seat
, Gloucester Courthouse.
Despite the rural and small-town aspects, Gloucester County and adjacent Mathews County
are considered part of the greater Hampton Roads
metropolitan region of southeastern Virginia. They are linked by the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge
, a toll facility
across the York River carrying U.S. Route 17
to the Virginia Peninsula
area. Gloucester County is nicknamed the "Daffodil Capital of the World", and holds an annual daffodil festival, parade, and flower show.
in 1607. Prior to that time, archeologists have discovered the area was inhabited for thousands of years by varying cultures of the hunter-gatherer
groups of Native Americans during the late Woodland Period
and earlier. By the late 16th century, the historic Powhatan Confederacy had been formed in the area. Werowocomoco
, a stronghold of the Powhatan
, was located on the north side of the York River, in what is now Gloucester. This complex, stratified society depended on the cultivation of varieties of maize, beans and squash, crops that supported a dense population in numerous settlements. The Powhatan Confederacy was estimated to total 12,000 to 15,000 people in 30 tribes.
across the York River
from Gloucester. They were killed by Natives led by a supposed Christian-convert named Don Luis
, who was affiliated with a village in current York County
(on the grounds of the current Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
), known as Chiskiack.
When English settlers arrived at Jamestown
in 1607, they soon came into conflict with the Native Americans (whom they called "Indians") as the newcomers competed for land, game and other resources. In late 1607, John Smith
was captured and taken to Powhatan at Werowocomoco, his eastern capital in Gloucester County. According to legend, Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas
saved John Smith from being executed by the Indians. Some historians question the accuracy of much of Smith's account of that incident. Werowocomoco was confirmed as a capital of Chief Powhatan in a later visit when Smith was accompanied by other Englishmen.
seemed to match Smith's description of a location. From there, he noted the distance downstream to Werowocomoco. Based upon Smith's description, at one time scholars thought that the former capital was located near Wicomico
, the site of Powhatan's Chimney
, about 25 miles east of present-day West Point. Smith also noted that Jamestown was 12 miles from Werowocomoco "as the crow flies." The site near Wicomico is considerably further from Jamestown.
In 1977, the archeologist Daniel Mouer, from Virginia Commonwealth University
, identified a site on Purtan Bay as the possible location of Werowocomoco. He collected artifacts from the surface of plowed fields and along the beach. He found fragments of Indian ceramics dating from the Late Woodland
/Contact Period and determined that the area was the "possible site of Werowocomoco.
More than 20 years later, another landowner authorized archaeological excavation on the property. Between March 2002 and April 2003, the Werowocomoco Research Group conducted excavations and analysis at the Werowocomoco site. The Research Group is a collaborative effort of the College of William and Mary
, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Virginia Indian tribes descended from the Powhatan Confederacy. Initial testing included digging 603 test holes, 12 to 16 inches deep and 50 feet apart. They found thousands of artifacts, including a blue bead, which may have been made in Europe for trading. Together with the historical descriptions of Werowocomoco, researchers believe these discoveries have established the site of the capital. "We believe we have sufficient evidence to confirm that the property is indeed the village of Werowocomoco," said Randolph Turner, director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources' Portsmouth Regional Office in 2003.
Two Gloucester-based archaeologists, Thane Harpole and David Brown, were instrumental in the work at the site since 2002. They continue to be involved in the excavations. Archeologists have determined there was a dispersed village community occupying the site from A.D. 1200 through the early 17th century. They recovered artifacts including Native pottery
and stone tools, as well as floral and faunal food remains of the large residential community. The Research Group has also recovered large numbers of English trade goods, produced from glass, copper, and other metals originating in Jamestown. The colonists' accounts of interaction at Werowocomoco during the early days of Jamestown emphasized Powhatan's interests in acquiring numerous English objects, particularly copper, which the Indians used to create their own precious objects.
The recent project is notable for the researchers' consultation and collaboration with members of the local Native American tribes, the Mattaponi
and Pamunkey
. They are prominent among the descendants of the Powhatan Confederacy. Such archeological sites often contain burials and associated artifacts which are sacred to these tribes.
Gloucester County has celebrated Werowocomoco and other significant Powhatan heritage sites as part of the county's history. Both the newly identified site on Purtan Bay and Powhatan's Chimney at Wicomico
, are located within the territory which the Native Americans may have considered as Werowocomoco. In the Algonquian
language, the village of the chief was not a place name but was more correctly translated as a reference to "the lands" where he lived. The Powhatan tradition included frequent relocations of various quarters within a general area.
, although it was not yet settled. In 1634, by order of King Charles I
, the colony was divided into the Eight shires of Virginia. First named Charles River Shire
by the English, York County
was renamed in 1642 during the English Civil War
. (The Pamunkey
called the river of their territory Pamunkey; residents retained that for a portion upstream from West Point. The English first named the major river the Charles River, and then during the English Civil War, the York River).
The colonial government granted early land patents in the area 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.
in 1651, and consisted of four parishes: Abingdon, Kingston, Petsworth and Ware. It was 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.
Kingston parish became Mathews County
in 1791 and the remaining three parishes were retained in Gloucester. The county was split on what is now the eastern county line.
homes and private estates have been preserved in excellent condition. From time to time, these establishments are open to public visitation during Historic Garden Week. Fine examples of Colonial architecture are represented by the Episcopal churches
of Ware (1690) and Abingdon (1755), where both presidents Washington and Jefferson worshipped. Some early colonial buildings at the county seat on the Courthouse Green continue to be used for public purposes.
In the 17th 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
. In 1667, fortifications were built at what was then called Gloucester Point. They 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
.
One area of Gloucester County is known as Guinea, which includes the unincorporated communities of Achilles, Bena, Severn, and Big Island. Located near Gloucester Point, the area has historically been the center of the seafood industry of the county. Founding families of Gloucester, such as Shackelford
, Rowe, West, Jenkins, Green, Kellum and Belvin, were long involved in the industry. While the industry has declined over the years, it still remains the cultural core of the community. The watermen
are known locally as "Guineamen." Guineamen speak a distinct, heavily accented form of non-rhotic Southern Vernacular English.
The name "Guinea" is of uncertain origin. A commonly held but incorrect explanation is that it was named "Guinea" to deride Loyalists who quartered Hessian
mercenaries during the American Revolutionary War
, soldiers who were paid one guinea per day. The Hessians were attached to Cornwallis' army. They were believed to have occupied lower Gloucester during the closing days of the Revolutionary War or deserted their service fighting for the British. Cornwallis sent British troops and cavalry 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.
But, the area in the upper part of the neck was called "Little Guinea" prior to the Yorktown campaign. The marshy, somewhat isolated peninsula was a haven for British deserters. After the surrender of Cornwallis, British prisoners in Gloucester county were allowed to wander about without confinement or guards.
_-_25.jpg)
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.
(VIMS) is the professional graduate school in marine science for the College of William and Mary
, the country's second-oldest university which is headquartered in nearby Williamsburg
. It is located at Gloucester Point along what would be the county's beach, taking samples and measurements for the Chesapeake Bay, and putting specimens on display. Many people flock to VIMS from the surrounding counties during the Marine Science Day each year.
is the Virginia public school division
serving the county. It has nine total public schools: six elementary (grades K
-5), two intermediate (grades 6–8), and one high school (grades 9–12). Some residents have suggested that the school system switch to a year-round schedule like a few neighboring counties, but the board has rejected each proposal. The high school offers advanced courses in mathematics and language.
Classes of about twenty students are assigned to a teacher for a whole school year.
Page Middle School was heavily damaged by a Tornado on April 16, 2011 that destroyed most of the 8th grade wing of the school.
(GHS) has been recently renovated, but it is overcrowded because of an increase in population. The school mascot is the former Duke of Gloucester.
Gloucester County Courthouse has a traditional main street. There are three courthouses, with one listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Main Street includes a barber
shop and retail shops. The county is renovating the sidewalk system. The annual daffodil parade proceeds along main street, bordered by vendors' stalls.
, the county has a total area of 288 square miles (745.9 km²), of which 217 square miles (562 km²) is land and 71 square miles (183.9 km²) (24.79%) is water.
, 8.7% Black
or African American
, 0.4% Native American
, 0.8% Asian
, 0.0% Pacific Islander
, 0.6% from other races
, and 2.3% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 13,127 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,421, and the median income for a family was $48,760. Males had a median income of $35,838 versus $24,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,990. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
Henry Stuart, 1st Duke of Gloucester was the third adult son of Charles I and his queen, Henrietta Maria of France...
, third son of King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula
Middle Peninsula
The Middle Peninsula is the second of three large peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, in the United States. It lies between the Northern Neck and the Virginia Peninsula. This peninsula is bounded by the Rappahannock River on the north and the York River on the south...
region, it borders the York River
York River (Virginia)
The York River is a navigable estuary, approximately long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. It ranges in width from at its head to near its mouth on the west side of Chesapeake Bay. Its watershed drains an area including portions of 17 counties of the coastal plain of Virginia north...
and the lower Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. It is about 75 miles east of Virginia's capital, Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. According to the 2010 Census, the population is 36,858. The county seat is Gloucester Courthouse
Gloucester Courthouse, Virginia
Gloucester Courthouse is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,269 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gloucester Courthouse is located at ....
.
Gloucester County has much history important to the Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
region of Virginia. It was the site of Werowocomoco
Werowocomoco
Werowocomoco was a village that served as the political center of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom, a grouping of about 30 Virginia Indian tribes speaking an Algonquian language...
, a capital of the large and powerful Native American Powhatan Confederacy, which affiliated 30 tribes under a paramount chief
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
. It was home to members of early colonial First Families of Virginia
First Families of Virginia
First Families of Virginia were those families in Colonial Virginia who were socially prominent and wealthy, but not necessarily the earliest settlers. They originated with colonists from England who primarily settled at Jamestown, Williamsburg, and along the James River and other navigable waters...
and important leaders in the period up to the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
wrote early work for Virginia and colonial independence at Rosewell Plantation
Rosewell Plantation
Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County, Virginia, was for more than 100 years the home of a branch of the Page family, one of the First Families of Virginia. Begun in 1725, the Flemish bond brick Rosewell mansion overlooking the York River was one of the most elaborate homes in the American...
, then the home of John Page, his close friend and fellow student at the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
. As the war concluded with the British surrender at Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
, directly across from Gloucester Point
Gloucester Point, Virginia
Gloucester Point is a census-designated place in Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,429 at the 2000 census. It is also home to The College of William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a graduate school for the study of oceanography.-Geography:Gloucester...
, the county almost served as the escape route for the British land forces led by General Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
. A French effort kept British naval forces from assisting him.
Long the domain of Virginia watermen and the fishing industry, Gloucester County is also rich in farmland. Today it has one Starbucks cafe, a Walmart, as well as several smaller companies, and a regional, family-owned chain of supermarkets. It has a small-town, friendly, southern atmosphere, exemplified by the stores around the main street area at the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
, Gloucester Courthouse.
Despite the rural and small-town aspects, Gloucester County and adjacent Mathews County
Mathews County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
are considered part of the greater Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
metropolitan region of southeastern Virginia. They are linked by the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge
George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge
The George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge is a double swing bridge that spans the York River between Yorktown and Gloucester Point, in the U.S. state of Virginia...
, a toll facility
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
across the York River carrying U.S. Route 17
U.S. Route 17
U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 is a north–south United States highway. The highway spans the southeastern United States and is close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length. The highway's southern terminus is at Punta Gorda, Florida, at an intersection with U.S. Route 41...
to the Virginia Peninsula
Virginia Peninsula
The Virginia Peninsula is a peninsula in southeast Virginia, USA, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay.Hampton Roads is the common name for the metropolitan area that surrounds the body of water of the same name...
area. Gloucester County is nicknamed the "Daffodil Capital of the World", and holds an annual daffodil festival, parade, and flower show.
Native Americans
The recorded history of Gloucester County, located in the first district of the United States, began soon after the settlement of JamestownJamestown, Virginia
Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of Virginia. Established by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 14, 1607 , it was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States, following several earlier failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke...
in 1607. Prior to that time, archeologists have discovered the area was inhabited for thousands of years by varying cultures of the hunter-gatherer
Hunter-gatherer
A hunter-gatherer or forage society is one in which most or all food is obtained from wild plants and animals, in contrast to agricultural societies which rely mainly on domesticated species. Hunting and gathering was the ancestral subsistence mode of Homo, and all modern humans were...
groups of Native Americans during the late Woodland Period
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
and earlier. By the late 16th century, the historic Powhatan Confederacy had been formed in the area. Werowocomoco
Werowocomoco
Werowocomoco was a village that served as the political center of the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom, a grouping of about 30 Virginia Indian tribes speaking an Algonquian language...
, a stronghold of the Powhatan
Powhatan
The Powhatan is the name of a Virginia Indian confederation of tribes. It is estimated that there were about 14,000–21,000 of these native Powhatan people in eastern Virginia when the English settled Jamestown in 1607...
, was located on the north side of the York River, in what is now Gloucester. This complex, stratified society depended on the cultivation of varieties of maize, beans and squash, crops that supported a dense population in numerous settlements. The Powhatan Confederacy was estimated to total 12,000 to 15,000 people in 30 tribes.
Arrival of Europeans
Around 1570, Spanish Jesuits priests attempted to establish what was called the Ajacan MissionAjacàn Mission
The Ajacán Mission was a failed attempt in 1570 to establish a Jesuit mission on the Virginia Peninsula. They intended to bring Christianity to the Virginia Indians. The effort to found what was to be called St...
across the York River
York River (Virginia)
The York River is a navigable estuary, approximately long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. It ranges in width from at its head to near its mouth on the west side of Chesapeake Bay. Its watershed drains an area including portions of 17 counties of the coastal plain of Virginia north...
from Gloucester. They were killed by Natives led by a supposed Christian-convert named Don Luis
Don Luis
Don Luís , also known as Paquiquino, was a Native American from Tidewater Virginia who in 1561 traveled to Spain, was baptized in Mexico, and in 1571 returned as a missionary to Virginia, where he apparently participated in the killing of the Jesuits who had accompanied him.Some historians, among...
, who was affiliated with a village in current York County
York County, Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
(on the grounds of the current Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is a United States Navy base in York County, James City County, and Newport News in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia...
), known as Chiskiack.
When English settlers arrived at Jamestown
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of Virginia. Established by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 14, 1607 , it was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States, following several earlier failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke...
in 1607, they soon came into conflict with the Native Americans (whom they called "Indians") as the newcomers competed for land, game and other resources. In late 1607, John Smith
John Smith of Jamestown
Captain John Smith Admiral of New England was an English soldier, explorer, and author. He was knighted for his services to Sigismund Bathory, Prince of Transylvania and friend Mózes Székely...
was captured and taken to Powhatan at Werowocomoco, his eastern capital in Gloucester County. According to legend, Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas
Pocahontas
Pocahontas was a Virginia Indian notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of Chief Powhatan, the head of a network of tributary tribal nations in Tidewater Virginia...
saved John Smith from being executed by the Indians. Some historians question the accuracy of much of Smith's account of that incident. Werowocomoco was confirmed as a capital of Chief Powhatan in a later visit when Smith was accompanied by other Englishmen.
Lost site of Werowocomoco
After the chief moved his capital to a safer, inland location and abandoned the village around 1609, knowledge of the site was lost. Researchers tried to identify it by Smith's historic writings. The current site of West PointWest Point, Virginia
West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,867 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Point is located at...
seemed to match Smith's description of a location. From there, he noted the distance downstream to Werowocomoco. Based upon Smith's description, at one time scholars thought that the former capital was located near Wicomico
Wicomico, Virginia
Wicomico is an unincorporated community in Gloucester County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:...
, the site of Powhatan's Chimney
Powhatan's Chimney
Powhatan's Chimney is located at present day Wicomico, in Gloucester County, Virginia, USA.Powhatan's Chimney was long considered clue to the site of Werowocomoco, a capital village of Chief Powhatan in what is now Virginia...
, about 25 miles east of present-day West Point. Smith also noted that Jamestown was 12 miles from Werowocomoco "as the crow flies." The site near Wicomico is considerably further from Jamestown.
In 1977, the archeologist Daniel Mouer, from Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
, identified a site on Purtan Bay as the possible location of Werowocomoco. He collected artifacts from the surface of plowed fields and along the beach. He found fragments of Indian ceramics dating from the Late Woodland
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
/Contact Period and determined that the area was the "possible site of Werowocomoco.
More than 20 years later, another landowner authorized archaeological excavation on the property. Between March 2002 and April 2003, the Werowocomoco Research Group conducted excavations and analysis at the Werowocomoco site. The Research Group is a collaborative effort of the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Virginia Indian tribes descended from the Powhatan Confederacy. Initial testing included digging 603 test holes, 12 to 16 inches deep and 50 feet apart. They found thousands of artifacts, including a blue bead, which may have been made in Europe for trading. Together with the historical descriptions of Werowocomoco, researchers believe these discoveries have established the site of the capital. "We believe we have sufficient evidence to confirm that the property is indeed the village of Werowocomoco," said Randolph Turner, director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources' Portsmouth Regional Office in 2003.
Two Gloucester-based archaeologists, Thane Harpole and David Brown, were instrumental in the work at the site since 2002. They continue to be involved in the excavations. Archeologists have determined there was a dispersed village community occupying the site from A.D. 1200 through the early 17th century. They recovered artifacts including Native pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
and stone tools, as well as floral and faunal food remains of the large residential community. The Research Group has also recovered large numbers of English trade goods, produced from glass, copper, and other metals originating in Jamestown. The colonists' accounts of interaction at Werowocomoco during the early days of Jamestown emphasized Powhatan's interests in acquiring numerous English objects, particularly copper, which the Indians used to create their own precious objects.
The recent project is notable for the researchers' consultation and collaboration with members of the local Native American tribes, the Mattaponi
Mattaponi
The Mattaponi tribe is one of only two Virginia Indian tribes in the Commonwealth of Virginia that owns reservation land. The larger Mattaponi Indian Tribe lives in King William County on reservation lands that stretch along the borders of the Mattaponi River, near West Point, Virginia.The...
and Pamunkey
Pamunkey
The Pamunkey nation are one of eleven Virginia Indian tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The historical tribe was part of the Powhatan paramountcy, made up of Algonquian-speaking tribes. The Powhatan paramount chiefdom was made up over 30 tribes, estimated to total about...
. They are prominent among the descendants of the Powhatan Confederacy. Such archeological sites often contain burials and associated artifacts which are sacred to these tribes.
- "When I step on this site folks...I just feel different. The spirituality just touches me and I feel it." Stephen R. Adkins, chief of the Chickahominy Tribe and a member of the Virginia Indian advisory board
Gloucester County has celebrated Werowocomoco and other significant Powhatan heritage sites as part of the county's history. Both the newly identified site on Purtan Bay and Powhatan's Chimney at Wicomico
Wicomico, Virginia
Wicomico is an unincorporated community in Gloucester County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:...
, are located within the territory which the Native Americans may have considered as Werowocomoco. In the Algonquian
Algonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
language, the village of the chief was not a place name but was more correctly translated as a reference to "the lands" where he lived. The Powhatan tradition included frequent relocations of various quarters within a general area.
English developments
In 1619, the Virginia Company divided its developed areas into four incorporations, also called "citties" (sic). At that time, most of the area which became Gloucester County would have been considered part of "James Cittie"James City (Virginia Company)
James City was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor, the Virginia Company. The plantations and developments were divided into four "incorporations" or " ", as they were called...
, although it was not yet settled. In 1634, by order of King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, the colony was divided into the Eight shires of Virginia. First named Charles River Shire
Charles River Shire
Charles River Shire was one of eight shires of Virginia created in the Virginia Colony in 1634.During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, English settlers and explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads...
by the English, York County
York County, Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
was renamed in 1642 during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. (The Pamunkey
Pamunkey
The Pamunkey nation are one of eleven Virginia Indian tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The historical tribe was part of the Powhatan paramountcy, made up of Algonquian-speaking tribes. The Powhatan paramount chiefdom was made up over 30 tribes, estimated to total about...
called the river of their territory Pamunkey; residents retained that for a portion upstream from West Point. The English first named the major river the Charles River, and then during the English Civil War, the York River).
The colonial government granted early land patents in the area in 1639, but it was not until after 1644 that Gloucester was considered safe for settlement. George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's great-grandfather received a Gloucester County land patent in 1650.
County divisions
By order of the Virginia General Assembly, Gloucester County was formed from York CountyYorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
in 1651, and consisted of four parishes: Abingdon, Kingston, Petsworth and Ware. It was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
Henry Stuart, 1st Duke of Gloucester was the third adult son of Charles I and his queen, Henrietta Maria of France...
, third son of Charles I. Gloucester County figured prominently in the history of the colony and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Kingston parish became Mathews County
Mathews County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
in 1791 and the remaining three parishes were retained in Gloucester. The county was split on what is now the eastern county line.
Plantations and historic sites
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Gloucester was a major tobacco-producing area. Many of the old plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
homes and private estates have been preserved in excellent condition. From time to time, these establishments are open to public visitation during Historic Garden Week. Fine examples of Colonial architecture are represented by the Episcopal churches
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
of Ware (1690) and Abingdon (1755), where both presidents Washington and Jefferson worshipped. Some early colonial buildings at the county seat on the Courthouse Green continue to be used for public purposes.
In the 17th century, the tip of land protruding into the York River
York River (Virginia)
The York River is a navigable estuary, approximately long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. It ranges in width from at its head to near its mouth on the west side of Chesapeake Bay. Its watershed drains an area including portions of 17 counties of the coastal plain of Virginia north...
, across from Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
, was named Tyndall's Point by Robert Tyndall
Robert Tyndall
Robert Henry Tyndall was an United States artillery officer in World War I, a Major General, and mayor of Indianapolis during World War II.-Early career:Robert Tyndall was born in Indianapolis, the son of William Eddy and Alice Tyndall....
, mapmaker for Captain John Smith
John Smith of Jamestown
Captain John Smith Admiral of New England was an English soldier, explorer, and author. He was knighted for his services to Sigismund Bathory, Prince of Transylvania and friend Mózes Székely...
. In 1667, fortifications were built at what was then called Gloucester Point. They were rebuilt and strengthened many times from colonial days through the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. This site is also known as the "Second Surrender" by General Charles Lord Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
to General George Washington at Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
.
Notable residents
Many colonial leaders lived in Gloucester County .- Warner Hall, George Washington's maternal grandmother's home, which is now a B&BBed and breakfastA bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
; - RosewellRosewell PlantationRosewell Plantation in Gloucester County, Virginia, was for more than 100 years the home of a branch of the Page family, one of the First Families of Virginia. Begun in 1725, the Flemish bond brick Rosewell mansion overlooking the York River was one of the most elaborate homes in the American...
, home of Thomas JeffersonThomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
's friend John PageJohn Page (Virginia)John Page was a figure in early United States history. He served in the U.S. Congress and as the 13th Governor of Virginia.Page was born and lived at Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County...
; and - John Buckner, who in 1680 brought the colony its first printing pressPrinting pressA printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
; - John ClaytonJohn Clayton (botanist)John Clayton was a Colonial plant collector in Virginia.Clayton was born in England, and moved to Virginia with his father in 1715, where he lived in Gloucester County, near the Chesapeake Bay, exploring the region botanically. Clayton sent many specimens, as well as manuscript descriptions, to...
, world renowned botanist; - Dr. Walter ReedWalter ReedMajor Walter Reed, M.D., was a U.S. Army physician who in 1900 led the team that postulated and confirmed the theory that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito species, rather than by direct contact...
, born in the Clay Bank area of Gloucester, discovered origin and cure for yellow feverYellow feverYellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
during the building of the Panama CanalPanama CanalThe Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
; - T. C. Walker, lawyer and civil rights activist after becoming a freedman;
- Robert R. MotonRobert Russa MotonRobert Russa Moton was an African American educator and author. He served as an administrator at Hampton Institute and was named principal of Tuskegee Institute in 1915 after the death of Dr. Booker T. Washington, a position he held for 20 years until retirement in 1935.-Youth, education,...
, lobbied for a Black man to be appointed as an assistant to the Secretary of WarUnited States Secretary of WarThe Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
.
Guinea
Shacklefords, Virginia
Shacklefords is an unincorporated community in King and Queen County, Virginia, United States. It derives its name from the Shackleford family, of whom the earliest American ancestor was Roger Shackelford, who was born in Old Alresford in the English county of Hampshire in 1629...
, Rowe, West, Jenkins, Green, Kellum and Belvin, were long involved in the industry. While the industry has declined over the years, it still remains the cultural core of the community. The watermen
Watermen
Watermen are river workers who transfer passengers across and along city centre rivers and estuaries in Britain and its colonies. Most notable are those on the River Thames and River Medway, but other rivers such as the River Tyne and River Dee, Wales also had their watermen who formed guilds in...
are known locally as "Guineamen." Guineamen speak a distinct, heavily accented form of non-rhotic Southern Vernacular English.
The name "Guinea" is of uncertain origin. A commonly held but incorrect explanation is that it was named "Guinea" to deride Loyalists who quartered Hessian
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
mercenaries during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, soldiers who were paid one guinea per day. The Hessians were attached to Cornwallis' army. They were believed to have occupied lower Gloucester during the closing days of the Revolutionary War or deserted their service fighting for the British. Cornwallis sent British troops and cavalry to occupy
Military occupation
Military occupation occurs when the control and authority over a territory passes to a hostile army. The territory then becomes occupied territory.-Military occupation and the laws of war:...
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.
But, the area in the upper part of the neck was called "Little Guinea" prior to the Yorktown campaign. The marshy, somewhat isolated peninsula was a haven for British deserters. After the surrender of Cornwallis, British prisoners in Gloucester county were allowed to wander about without confinement or guards.
Daffodils
Trumpet Major
Trumpet Major is an appointment in British Army cavalry regiments or the Royal Horse Artillery, held by a Sergeant or a more senior non-commissioned officer or Warrant Officer. His job is to supervise the training and deployment of trumpeters who blow daily duty and ceremonial calls...
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.
Battle of the Hook reenactment
On October 17–19, 2008, some 2,000 Revolutionary War reenactors ( www.battleofthehook.com ) will converge on Warner Hall in Gloucester County to commemorate the defeat of Banastre Tarleton and his British Legion by the colorful hussars of the Duc de Lauzun's Legion and Mercer's Select Battalian of Virginia Militia Grenadiers. A key battle in American independence, the "Battle of the Hook" cut off Cornwallis's supplies and his escape route, forcing his surrender on October 19, 1781. An hour after the surrender at Yorktown, the British and Hessian forces in Gloucester surrendered, marking the final significant battle of the American War of Independence.Daffodil Festival
The annual spring Daffodil Festival brings many tourists to the area and generates business. The 24th annual Daffodil Festival was held March 27 and 28, 2010.Black Powder and Paint Festival
Gloucester also has a historic court circle, which is also where the annual Black Powder and Paint Festival is held, at which you can view live music and high-quality handmade crafts like powder horns, and sea shell jewelry, or even purchase items.Beaverdam Park
Beaverdam park is based on a reservoir. Visitors can hike, as well as boat, fish, and picnic. The park is very large, and has many trails. Visitors may see wildlife. Amenities include parking and the Whitcomb Lodge, which may be leased for special events such as birthdays and weddings. The park is home to a rather large collection of geocaches hidden close to the trails that surrond the reservoir. Small boats are available for rental. Non-gasoline powered boats may be used for a nominal launch fee.VIMS
The Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceVirginia Institute of Marine Science
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is one of the oldest and largest schools of oceanographyfocused on coastal ocean and estuarine science in the United States....
(VIMS) is the professional graduate school in marine science for the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, the country's second-oldest university which is headquartered in nearby Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
. It is located at Gloucester Point along what would be the county's beach, taking samples and measurements for the Chesapeake Bay, and putting specimens on display. Many people flock to VIMS from the surrounding counties during the Marine Science Day each year.
Schools
Gloucester County Public SchoolsGloucester County Public Schools
Gloucester County Public Schools is a Virginia public school division which serves Gloucester County, Virginia.The school division operates nine schools, of which, six elementary , two intermediate , and one high school...
is the Virginia public school division
School division
-Canada:In Canada the term is used to the area controlled by a school board and is used interchangeably with school district, including in the formal name of the board. For example, see List of Alberta school boards.-United States:...
serving the county. It has nine total public schools: six elementary (grades K
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
-5), two intermediate (grades 6–8), and one high school (grades 9–12). Some residents have suggested that the school system switch to a year-round schedule like a few neighboring counties, but the board has rejected each proposal. The high school offers advanced courses in mathematics and language.
Elementary schools
The six schools are as follows:Abingdon, Achilles, Bethel, Botetourt, Petsworth, and T.C. Walker.
Classes of about twenty students are assigned to a teacher for a whole school year.
Middle schools
The schools have block scheduling, and teams (basically a complete division of the grade). The schools' names are Peasley and Page.Page Middle School was heavily damaged by a Tornado on April 16, 2011 that destroyed most of the 8th grade wing of the school.
High school
Gloucester High SchoolGloucester High School (Virginia)
Gloucester High School is a fully accredited public high school located four miles from Gloucester Courthouse in Gloucester County, Virginia, USA. It is operated by Gloucester County Public Schools, a Virginia public school division....
(GHS) has been recently renovated, but it is overcrowded because of an increase in population. The school mascot is the former Duke of Gloucester.
Gloucester County Courthouse
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Main Street includes a barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
shop and retail shops. The county is renovating the sidewalk system. The annual daffodil parade proceeds along main street, bordered by vendors' stalls.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 288 square miles (745.9 km²), of which 217 square miles (562 km²) is land and 71 square miles (183.9 km²) (24.79%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
- Middlesex CountyMiddlesex County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 9,932 people, 4,253 households, and 2,913 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 6,362 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...
– north - Matthews CountyMathews County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
– east - York CountyYork County, VirginiaYork County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
– south - James City CountyJames City County, VirginiaJames City County is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Its population was 67,009 , and it is often associated with Williamsburg, an independent city, and Jamestown which is within the...
– southwest - King and Queen CountyKing and Queen County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 6,630 people, 2,673 households, and 1,897 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 3,010 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
– west
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 36,858 people, 15,663 households, and 9,884 families residing in the county. The population density was 161 people per square mile (62/km²). There were 14,494 housing units at an average density of 67 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.2% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 8.7% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.4% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.8% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.0% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.6% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.3% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 13,127 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,421, and the median income for a family was $48,760. Males had a median income of $35,838 versus $24,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,990. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated places
- Gloucester CourthouseGloucester Courthouse, VirginiaGloucester Courthouse is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,269 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gloucester Courthouse is located at ....
- Gloucester PointGloucester Point, VirginiaGloucester Point is a census-designated place in Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,429 at the 2000 census. It is also home to The College of William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a graduate school for the study of oceanography.-Geography:Gloucester...