Northampton
This county was one of the original shires of 1634, under the name of Accomac shire, and was changed to its present name in 1643. -- It is bounded N. by Accomac, -- W. and S. by Chesapeake bay, and E. by the Atlantic Ocean. Its length from S. to N. is 32 miles, its mean width, if the Atlantic Islands are included, 10, and its area 320 square miles. It extends in lat. from 37 05' to 37 33' and in long. from 1 to 1 28' E. of W. C. -- Paramore's, Hog's, Prout's, and Smith's islands cover the Atlantic coast of nearly the whole county.
"The county of Northampton is the southern extremity of the long, low peninsula which forms the eastern side of the Chesapeake, and which comprehends eight counties in Maryland and two in Virginia. Separated as these counties are from the rest of the state, by the spacious bay , which the eye can scarcely see across, and being among the first settled parts of the colony, they are a more unmixed people than is often to be found in our country, and retain more of the usages, and even language of former times, than perhaps any part of the state. The ancient hospitality of Virginia is here found unimpaired; and the inhabitants have a high relish for good living, which they are also enabled to indulge by a soil and climate extremely favorable to gardening, and by an abundance of excellent fish, oysters, and crabs. They preserve great neatness in their houses and persons, which is a characteristic of persons living in a sandy country. They whole county is as level as a bowling-green, and the roads are good at all seasons of the year. This circumstance has probably increased the social character and habits of the people, as it certainly has their pleasure carriages. The number of gigs in the county, is near three hundred, which is considerably greater than that of the free holders. It is computed that the county pays about $10,000 a year for its carriages.
"The soil of this county is thin, light, and always more or less mixed with sand; but as it commonly rests on a stiff clay, and the land is too level to be carried off by the rains, or to "to wash," to use a term of the upper country, the inhabitants are very much encouraged to pursue an improving course of husbandry; yet in truth they are but indifferent farmers. They cultivate the same land incessantly, one year in Indian corn, and the next in oats,(their two principal crops,) and their lands improve under this severe process, provided they are not also pastured. Whenever a field is not in cultivation, it puts up every where a rich luxuriant crop of a sort of wild vetch, called the maggoty-bay bean, which shades the land while it is growing, and returns to it a rich coat of vegetable manure. It is by means of this fertilizing plant, and the aliment which is plentifully furnished by the vapors from the sea, that the product of these lands is so much greater than a stranger would be led to expect from the appearance of the soil. The land is so easily cultivated, that there are few parts of the state in which
more is produced to the man, or the horse, though more may be produced to the acre. On the best farms, an hundred barrels to the hand are often obtained. The fig and the pomegranate flourish without protection during the winter. The former attains the size of a stout tree, some times twenty feet high, and its delicious fruit is in greater abundance than the inhabitants can consume. They have not yet learned the art of curing it, or perhaps the species they have, is not suited to that operation.
"Wind mills are in use here, but tide mills, at the mouth of small inlets, are preferred when attainable. These inlets deeply indent the shore, both on the bay and sea side, and while they are convenient for fishing, shooting wild fowls, and as harbors for their boats and small craft, they give a pleasing variety to the landscapes, which are indeed as pretty as is compatible with so unvarying a surface. Upon the whole, we know of no part of the state in which the comforts of life are enjoyed in greater number, or higher perfection. They have too, the sea and land breezes of the West Indies; which temper the sultry heats of summer; and their only annoyances seem to be a few musquetoes, a good many gnats, and now and then a bilious or intermittent fever. There is here an article of culture which is not much met with in other parts of the state -- it is the palma christi, called castor bean. It now constitutes a part of almost every farmer's crop, to the extent of eight to ten acres or more. The quantity of the nut or bean produced, is the same as the land would produce in corn. Each bushel yields about two gallons and a half of oil, and sells, at the press, for $1.25 a bushel. This plant is now cultivated in many of the counties on the Western Shore, and the oil it affords has become a considerable article of export, being preferred to that of the West Indies.
"Among the curiosities of this county, are the ancient records of the county from 1640, and a marble tomb, or sarcophagus, about five feet high, and as many long, from which we transcribe the following singular inscription:
Under this marble tomb lies the body of the Honorable John Custis, Esq. of the city of Williamsburg, and Parish of Burton. Formerly of Hungar's parish, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and county of Northampton, Aged 71 years & yet lived but seven years, which was the space of time he kept A Bachelor's home at Arlington on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
On the opposite reads
This inscription put on this tomb was by his own positive orders.
Wm. Cosley Man, in Fenchurch street, fecit, London.
The writer was so intent on perpetuating his troubles, the he has not mentioned the time of his birth, nor did those who came after him supply the omission, or state the time of his death; but it probably occurred early in the Last Century.
It is certainly a strong caution against the married state.
Population in 1820, 7,705 -- in 1830, 8,644. Northampton belongs to the third judicial circuit, and second district. Taxes paid in 1832-3, $1967.49 -- in 1833-4, on land, $99.18 -- 1970 slaves $492.50 -- 1506 horses, $70.36 -- 8 studs, $140.00 -- 13 coaches, $28.00 -- 17 carryalls, $17.00 -- 250 gigs, $224.70 -- Total, $992.74. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $297.65 -- in 1833, $234.33.