There is a charming, quaint, coastal community in Mathews County, Virginia, often overlooked for its simplicity, elegance, and timelessness. Located at the mouth of the Piankatank River on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and stretching a meager three to four miles long and two miles wide, Gwynn’s Island remains one of the state’s most impressive hidden gems.
The island boasts a grand total of around 800 full-time residents, living the good life in a close-knit community that relies on just a few mainstay commodities. It can even be said that a visit to Gwynn’s Island is on par with traveling back in time to a small town of long ago. What a remarkable feat, given how often time-tested traditions and community living get lost in the shuffle of modern-day hustle and bustle. But that isn’t the case on Gwynn’s Island. From its versatile past establishment to its preservation as a perpetual historic marvel even in the present times, for this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m reviewing Gwynn’s Island for the hidden historic gem that it is.
Precolonial Origins
As is the case with most of the land across the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, these parts were previously inhabited by indigenous people, dating as far back as 10,000 BC. Archeological evidence and uncovered artifacts confirm this.
As for the earliest European inhabitants, credit goes to Englishman and Jamestown Colonist Hugh Gwynn (sometimes referred to as Sir Hugh Gwynn or Colonel Hugh Gwynn). He and his family arrived on the island sometime around 1611, having discovered the small stretch of land while exploring the greater Chesapeake Bay and its connective waterways.
According to popular legend, it was while he was out exploring that Gwynn heard the cries of a young Native American girl drowning. Announcing herself to be Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, Gwynn was informally gifted the land as an expression of gratitude.
Gwynn established his land ownership officially in 1635 when he made claims on the land to King Charles I of England for the island. The request was granted five years later with a patent of 1,000 acres. It is believed that Gwynn remained on the island until he died in 1654.
Early Settlement
While living on the coast, Gwynn Island’s earliest settlers didn’t rely solely on fishing. Several set up small farming operations, planting crops and raising livestock, such as sheep, cattle, and even hogs.
During the earlier years, the territory comprising Gwynn’s Island was still a part of York County. It was in 1651 that Gloucester County broke away from York and became its own jurisdiction. Mathews County formed over a century later from Gloucester in 1790.
Revolutionary War
Gwynn’s Island even had a role to play during the American Revolutionary War. It was on January 1, 1776, that tensions grew hotter in nearby Norfolk, Virginia. The fateful event came to be known as the “Burning of Norfolk.” It led to Lord John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore and the last Colonial Governor of Virginia, leaving Norfolk and sailing up the Chesapeake Bay to Gwynn’s Island in 1776 with 82 ships in his command. It was here that he and 100 soldiers of the 14th Regiment, along with 100 marines, 150 volunteers from Norfolk, 50 seamen, and 300 African-Americans, entrenched themselves on Gwynn’s Island.
General Andrew Lewis was tasked with dislodging him. He set up fortifications on the mainland, and fighting ensued on July 9, 1776. The fateful event has come to be known as the Battle of Cricket Hill.
Timeless Charm
Life continued on the Island with very few changes for well over a century and a half. During that time, through the late 1930s, access to the Island was primarily dependent on ferry operations.
August 1933 presented challenges to the normally docile island life. It came in the form of a ghastly hurricane that caused massive damage and destruction throughout the Chesapeake Bay. The storm passed 15 miles west of the Island, sweeping away boats, buildings, and more. Fortunately, no residents lost their lives.
The now-iconic Gwynn’s Island Bridge wasn’t built until 1939. Since its construction, island life is more connected than it once was, though still arguably isolated.
Gwynn’s Island remains a charming, seemingly idyllic place to come to, as much today as it ever was long ago. Discover it for yourself on your own ventures here. You can also learn more at the resident Gwynn’s Island Museum. Visit the website for all additional information.