Old Plantation Neck and the Big Pond, Now Cape Charles Harbor, Part 1
This locality [Cape Charles Harbor]is suggestive of many reminiscences of "ye flush old times" in this section of Virginia, and, at a later date, some of historic interest as well.
The three plantations (Old Plantation, New Quarter and King's Creek) composing this neck, in early times belonged to the Niversons, later becoming the property of Hon. Littleton Waller Tazewell, at one time governor of Virginia, than whom there was no more eminent lawyer in the State. He had a wealth of intellect, and all the earthly possessions one could wish whose heart was not altogether set on money. He never deserted a friend.
In his younger days it was said he was fond of shooting and owned some of the finest setters and pointers in his section. On one occasion while driving to Yorktown, one of his favorite pointers being along, scented a covey of birds from the vehicle, leaped out and nosed around for a short time then made a firm stand. Having no gun along with him, with confidence in his dog, he went back home got his gun, upon returning found his dog still standing firm, flushed the birds, fired, killed one and proceeded on his journey.
Once when on a visit to Old Plantation, one bitter cold day, he went with a friend to the big pond to shoot black ducks and wild geese. The pond was frozen solid, except a few air holes, which were full of ducks and geese. The pond being surrounded by woods he got close enough for a fair shot and killed a bunch, when his companion ran out on the ice to pick them up, but sat down, feeling sleepy. Mr. T hastened to him and had to pull and shake him to wake him up from what might have been a fatal sleep from excessive cold.
While a member of the Constitutional Convention, one of the members from the Valley of Virginia (a distinguished judge) referred to the gentlemen from the east as fishermen, whereupon Mr. Tazewell retorted politely enough to impress the judge, that bear meat and coon was altogether a different diet from the products of salt water, and under the laws of nature could not have other than natural effects.
Around this pond the foxes had holes, the birds of the air (eagles and fish hawks) had nests, and "ye old time fox hunters" had no little fun, for wherever started the fox, after a long run out of the neck, would eventually return and make for his hole, when the overseer would be called upon for hands to dig him out. This was cheerfully done for they were always well paid.
The elderly black people used to say that there was an oak so big near this pond, in the middle woods, that took three leading lines to go around it.
This was a pretty shore for driving when the tide was at its ebb, smooth and firm. From the sand here was gotten nice white, plump conkles, now erroneously called clams, if there is anything in the derivation of the name. Belonging to this testaceous family is one of softer shell which were called mannose, which when properly cooked, is equal, if not superior to the hard shell.
Just across the water from this shore is Sandy Point, which used to extend out from the land and was not then an island. Here quantities of gull eggs were gotten in season.
In the channel opposite the finest kind of fish were caught, hog fish, on the Eastern Shore are considered the best that swim in these waters.
Sometimes gentlemen would go out to the fishing ground for the sport of the thing. Most all of them had their regular fisherman to supply them. On one occasion neighbors sailed out of King's Creek and anchored the canoe for business. The rolling of the boat at anchor disturbed the stomachic equilibrium of one of them who had eaten a full meal of black duke cherries before leaving home. The result was emesis of what he thought was blood; he begged to go home and have a doctor to see him. He soon recovered and had an unusual appetite for supper.
The elegant steamer (first) Northampton, whose flags were given her by the people of the county in compliment for the name, made regular trips three times a week from the wharf just north of here to Old Point and Norfolk (this steamer may be referred to again when up James River.)
The U. S. S. Cumberland had been at anchor off Old Point some time. She was joined by the U. S. S. Congress. One beautiful morning while Northampton was on her way to the Eastern Shore, soon as her gangboards were thrown out at Old Point wharf, an officer from the Cumberland tapped Captain McCarrick on the shoulder and said: "Lower your boat and go on board the Cumberland, taking your papers with you." The captain obeyed and soon returned with his papers endorsed "the steamer Northampton is permitted to go over to the Eastern Shore today and return, thereafter to cease."
This was the beginning of the blockade. Commander Austin Pendergast, U. S. N., was then on the Cumberland, a good man, and doubtless a proficient officer. He will be referred to further on in connection with the Cumberland when the Virginia destroyed her and the Congress, and in another place.
It was not a very long time after the blockade was established when a gunboat appeared off this shore about which we have been talking, and fired shells all round about, some of these too close to dwellings for comfort.
The citizens could not understand what this meant, except it was to reconnoitre and find out whether there were munitions of war in any shape here. Finally the gunboat ran aground and so remained until high tide. Meantime she was confronted by the 39th Virginia regiment with a few guns of small calibre and some cavalry.