The extent of the territory Virginia gave to the Union was:

The State of Ohio (excepting the Western Reserve and Fire-lands claimed by the State of Connecticut and lands now in Michigan)

The State of Indiana....

The State of Illinois..

.39,364 sq. miles

33,809 sq. miles

55,414 sq. miles

She also ceded lands claimed by the State of Connecticut and Massachusetts under their crown charters, as well as by the United States under the definite treaty of peace with Great Britain of 1783:

Total (disputed and undisputed) cession by
Virginia, including Kentucky..

.305,362 sq. miles

The last slice of territory taken from Old Virginia was 23,000 square miles, which went to form the State of West Virginia, by an Act of Congress, December 31, 1862, which took effect June 9, 1863.

CHAPTER II

The Peninsulas of Tidewater Virginia

The region which the colonists first selected for settlement is known as "Tidewater Virginia." "Tidewater Virginia." It was there that the first great struggle of the white race was begun with the aboriginal inhabitants for the purpose of establishing a permanent abiding home in a new world, many years before the "Pilgrim Fathers" first sighted Plymouth Rock. The howling of the wild beasts of the forest, the war whoop of the equally wild man and the solemn hoot of the midnight owl were the only sounds to greet the ears of the first settler in all the vast territory which now comprises this "Glorious Union of States." The settlement of this region was begun more than two hundred years before the first railroad was built upon this planet. There were then no public highways, but only here and there an Indian trail to point the new comer through the wide wilderness of America.

This region of America is full of the romances and the realities of the experiences of the early years of the first permanent settlement of the English speaking people on this Continent. Here it was for the first time that the stroke of the axe of the English laid prostrate the standing giants of the forests of the new world, and thereby awakened nature from its slumbers and sounded new and alarming echoes throughout the lands christened "Virginia" by a Virgin Queen of the Old World. It was here that the beasts of the wild woods, and the fowls of the air first were shocked to death by the burst of the rifle's discharge, and the superstitious

natives thus forced to believe that the new comers were born not of woman but sent armed from the skies with a demon of destruction which no other earthly power possessed. It was there the first thoughts of human freedom were given birth and voice to cheer mankind. The "cradle of liberty for this Continent was first tenanted and rocked there to lull the cries of the "child of freedom." It was there the first truly representative legislative body of the people assembled on this continent. The first sound of praise and thanksgiving ever uttered in the language of this nation from a house of worship dedicated to God, in the new found world, vibrated the air of Tidewater Virginia, and wafted its way to the throne of Grace, bespeaking the coming of a new race. It was at Jamestown that the first church was built within the territory which later comprised the thirteen original States. It was in that section that Pocahontas, the untutored daughter of a savage chief, though born in the primeval forest, first taught the world that "pity and mercy" are the inherent qualities of womankind, and are not confined to the cultured princesses of the stately palaces of civilization.

It was here that the first slave set foot upon the mainland of this continent. Here it was that the white man first exercised the right of suffrage, and that trial by jury was first granted. The first free school on this continent was started in this section. The first manufactures of this continent were begun here, and were the first of such products sent from the newly found continent to the Old World.

Tidewater Virginia has produced more eminent and illustrious men of America than any other section of the same extent within the boundaries of this nation. Its history has inspired the orator, enthused the soldier, and awakened in the statesman suggestions of wisdom, the benefits of which this nation is now the recipient.

Its soil is sprinkled with the blood of the patriots of the

Revolution in their successful battling at Yorktown, which cheered a weak people in their mighty struggle for final freedom. The marks of many heroic battles for the perpetuation of the "Old Union of States," or a disunited nation and a "New Confederacy," are yet in plain view in many parts of this section of Virginia, bearing evidence of the willing sacrifices which all Americans will make in defense of a principle.

Tidewater Virginia begins at a gap in the Atlantic Ocean. shores of Virginia, known as the "Capes of the Chesapeake." This gap forms an entrance more than twelve miles in width, and within a short distance inland from its mouth it broadens into a magnificent stream, in some places nearly forty miles wide, and is known as the Chesapeake Bay. The salt waters which flow from the Atlantic Ocean into this big bay, through its capacious mouth, spread out and form long rivers, such as the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac, and shorter streams aз the York, Piankatank, Yeocomico, Coan, Wicomico, Nomini and others too numerous to mention, and inlets, creeks, and coves innumerable. The Chesapeake Bay also sends its flood of waters to the shores of Maryland, where they form innumerable streams throughout that State.

Tidewater Virginia is divided into nine natural subdivisions, or large (primary) peninsulas, each of which contains many small (subordinate) peninsulas, no part of which is elevated more than 150 feet above sea level. The large peninsulas are grouped as follows:

1. "The Eastern Shore Peninsula," consisting of two counties:

Northampton and Accomac. The first was named in honor of the Earl of Northampton; the latter was named after an Indian tribe inhabiting that section. Northampton and Accomac were twice named. The territory composing the Eastern Shore of Virginia was first named Accawmake. Under this name it was made one of the eight original shires

into which Virginia was divided in 1634, and continued under the name of Accawmake until 1642, when it was changed to Northampton. In 1672 Accomac was formed from its upper part, and the lower part retained the name of Northampton. This peninsula begins on the Atlantic coast at Cape Charles, and extends along the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay to the Maryland line. It includes the land across to the Atlantic

coast.

2. The "Norfolk Peninsula" consisting of two counties: Princess Anne, formed in 1691, from Lower Norfolk, named in honor of Queen Anne.

Norfolk, formed in 1691, from part of Lower Norfolk, named in honor of Duke of Norfolk.

This peninsula begins on the Atlantic coast at the North Carolina line, extending inland around Cape Henry to the mouth of James River.

3. The "Southside Peninsula " containing seven counties: Nansemond was formed in 1639 from Upper Norfolk, and named Nansimun after an Indian tribe. In 1645 it was changed to Nansemond.

Isle of Wight, one of the original eight shires formed in 1634, and known originally as Warrasquake. In 1637 it was named in honor of a place in England.

Southampton, formed in 1784, from Isle of Wight, named in honor of Earl of Southampton.

Sussex, formed in 1753 from Surrey County, named in honor of Lord Sussex.

Surrey, formed in 1652 from James City County, named in honor of Lord Surrey.

Prince George, formed in 1702 from Charles City County, named in honor of Prince George, afterwards King George II. Chesterfield, formed in 1748, from Henrico, named in honor of P. D. Stanhope, Lord Chesterfield.

This peninsula is situated on the south side of the James