Kecoughtan, Elizabeth City, Hampton

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Kecoughtan (aka Kikotan, Kiccowtan, Kikowtan), one of Virginia’s earliest settlements, holds a unique place in the state’s colonial history. Named after the Algonquian-speaking Native American tribe that originally inhabited the area, Kecoughtan was established in 1607, shortly after Jamestown. The English displaced the Kecoughtan tribe, took control of the land, and renamed the settlement Elizabeth City in honor of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James I.

Elizabeth City eventually became a cornerstone for regional growth and development. Situated at the confluence of the James and Hampton Rivers at "Old Point Comfort", its location proved vital for trade, defense, and survival in the early days of English colonization. The area is now known as Hampton. The photograph show here is Old Point Comfort in 1900.

From the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research:

"By 1616, there were about 20 English inhabitants at Kecoughtan, and most were engaged in farming. In 1619, Kecoughtan's first two representatives in the House of Burgesses were Captain William Tucker and William Capps. Tucker was the military commander of Kecoughtan and Capps an early landowner on the west side of the Hampton River. At the first session of the legislature, the two men petitioned the Assembly 'to change the savage name of Kicowtan, and to give that Incorporation a new name.' In 1620, the name 'Elizabeth City' was adopted, and it served as the county's name until 1952."

The White Lion
NOTE: The point of land where the ships initially landed in 1607 was named Cape Comfort, now known as "Old Point Comfort". In 1619, a little more than a decade after the English arrived and created the fort at Jamestown, the ship The White Lion, under the orders of Captain John Colyn Jope, carried "twenty or so" Africans who were traded for supplies at Point Comfort. Learn more at The 1619 Landing. "...the enslaved Africans who arrived at Point Comfort in 1619 were the beginning of race-based slavery in America and are the 'founders' of today's African American population."

It is agreed that this ship landed closer to Kecoughtan than to Jamestown. More information located at African American Registry. From this ship's passengers came the first registered Black African born on colonial shores, William Tucker. He was named for his parent's master, Captain William Tucker (noted above as one of the two first representatives in the House of Burgesses), and baptized in Jamestown, Virginia, on January 3, 1624.

NOTE: Most individuals in this blog are linked to their profiles at Wikitree, a genealogical site.

Key Details About Kecoughtan / Elizabeth City

Who Was in Charge, and Who Lived There Before the Settlers?

  • Leadership: Captain John Smith was instrumental in early exploration and negotiations in the Kecoughtan area. After the initial conflicts, the English seized control of the land under Sir Thomas Gates and later Sir Thomas Dale.
  • Native Residents: The Kecoughtan tribe, part of the Powhatan Confederacy, resided in the area. They were led by their weroance (chief), who was subordinate to Powhatan, the paramount chief of the confederacy.
  • Settlers: The settlers who arrived were English, primarily composed of men from the Virginia Company of London.

Where Was Kecoughtan Originally Located?

  • Location: Kecoughtan was situated at what is now modern-day Hampton, Virginia, near the mouths of the James River and Hampton Roads.
  • Relative Size: The initial settlement was modest, consisting of a small fort and farmland. Over time, it expanded into Elizabeth City, encompassing present-day Hampton and parts of surrounding areas.

Why Kecoughtan?

  • Strategic Importance: Kecoughtan was chosen for its proximity to navigable waterways and fertile land. Its location near the mouth of the James River offered easy access for trade and defense.
  • Natural Resources: The area’s abundance of fish, shellfish, and fertile land made it appealing for farming and sustaining the settlers.

What Was the Plan of the Settlers?

  • Intentions: The settlers aimed to establish a permanent English presence and secure the area for agricultural and economic pursuits. They intended to farm, trade with the Native Americans, and expand the colonial frontier.
  • Economic Activities: Tobacco cultivation became a primary focus, alongside fishing, hunting, and trade. Industries like shipbuilding also took root as the settlement grew.

How Did the Settlers Manage to Survive?

  • Challenges:
    • Weather: The settlement faced extreme summers and winters, which posed challenges for agriculture and health.
    • Disease: Like Jamestown, Kecoughtan suffered from diseases such as malaria and dysentery, exacerbated by the swampy environment.
    • Conflict: Early relations with the Kecoughtan tribe were fraught with tension, leading to skirmishes and the eventual forced removal of the tribe by the English in 1610.
  • Positive Impacts:
    • Alliances: Some initial trade and peace agreements with Native tribes helped provide food and knowledge of local resources.
    • Abundant Resources: The area’s rivers and fertile land supported fishing, farming, and trade.
    • Military Security: The location’s strategic importance ensured support and reinforcements from England, aiding its survival and growth.
Kecoughtan, later known as Elizabeth City, then Hampton, serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Virginia’s early settlers. While their arrival marked the displacement of the native Kecoughtan people and the arrival of enslaved individuals, the settlement laid the foundation for one of Virginia’s oldest and most enduring communities. Its strategic location, abundant resources, and eventual integration into the growing colony of Virginia made it a vital part of the state’s and of America's colonial history.

Illustrations:
Links for further research and information:

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