The Original Hampton Roads

       For many of us, Hampton Roads is more than just a place; it's where our story begins. This article uncovers some historical truths that, like many, I was unaware of. Hampton Roads holds a pivotal role in our collective past, significantly impacting the narrative of African American history.

     Juneteenth, a day of profound importance, is celebrated across the United States, marking the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. However, the roots of this commemoration stretch back to the early days of emancipation, with Virginia playing a critical role in this monumental chapter of history. The legacy of America, deeply intertwined with Hampton Roads, shares an unbreakable bond with the African American community of today.

Given the vast and intense history of enslaved Africans in America, it's a challenge to fully capture their influence and legacy in a single narrative. With that said, let's start at the beginning,

The New World, circa 1607:

By 1607, England embarked on its third significant attempt to establish a permanent settlement in the New World, marking a pivotal moment in its colonial ambitions. The first two attempts, including the ill-fated Roanoke Colony known as the "Lost Colony" and the short-lived Popham Colony in present-day Maine, ended in failure but provided crucial lessons in the hardships of New World colonization.

Jamestown, established in 1607 in what is now Virginia, represented England's persistent resolve to secure a foothold in North America. Unlike its predecessors, Jamestown overcame initial challenges to become the first permanent English settlement, setting the stage for further expansion and the complex history of European settlement in the Americas. This successful establishment underscored the importance of resilience and adaptation in the face of the unknown, laying the foundation for future colonial endeavors and the shaping of what would become America.

The Arrival in 1619: A Pivotal Moment in American History
In 1619, a significant yet somber chapter in American history unfolded at Point Comfort, present day Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. This year marked the arrival of the first documented African enslaved people to English North America, setting the stage for a complex and painful period in the country's narrative. The "20 and odd" Africans were brought to the shores aboard the White Lion, a privateer ship that had seized them from the Portuguese slave ship, San Juan Bautista, in a stark demonstration of the era's maritime conflicts and the burgeoning transatlantic slave trade.

The use of the term "privateer" reflects the thin veil between piracy and state-sanctioned maritime activities during this time. Privateers, essentially pirates with a commission from a sovereign government, were a common aspect of naval warfare and commerce raiding. The legal sanction these privateers received allowed them to operate with a resemblance of legitimacy, blurring the lines between outright piracy and naval operations. The arrival of the White Lion and the subsequent trade of these first African individuals not only signifies the beginning of African enslavement on North American soil but also highlights the global interactions and conflicts that fueled the transatlantic slave trade.

This moment in 1619 does not mark the inception of slavery in the Americas, as the Spanish and Portuguese had been transporting Africans as slaves to other parts of the Americas for centuries. However, it represented a critical point in the history of what would become the United States, intertwining the destinies of African Americans and the nation for centuries to come. The legacy of this arrival is complex, reflecting both the resilience of those who were enslaved and the deep scars left by the institution of slavery in America.

THE DNA OF HAMPTON ROADS: from SHIRES to CITIES
Hampton Roads' transformation from a collection of shires to the bustling cities we recognize today is a testament to the region's evolving landscape and its pivotal role in American history. Initially governed under the Royal Charter, the area was divided into eight shires in the early 17th century, a reflection of England's administrative system. These shires, including notable names such as Elizabeth City Shire and James City Shire, laid the geographical and governmental groundwork for the future development of the region. Over time, economic growth and political changes spurred the transformation of these shires into counties and, eventually, into the independent cities of Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, among others. This evolution from shires to cities mirrors the broader growth of the American nation, showcasing the dynamic nature of its communities and the adaptability of its people.

This list provides a snapshot of the historical evolution of the Hampton Roads region from its earliest colonial divisions to its modern-day configuration as a collection of vibrant cities and counties, each with its unique history and contribution to the fabric of Virginia.

• Original Eight Shires (1619-1634):
  • Elizabeth City Shire → Transitioned into Elizabeth City County in 1643 → Currently Hampton
  • Accomac Shire → Currently Accomack County
  • Charles River Shire → Currently York County
  • Charles City Shire (Hopewell) → Currently Charles City County
  • Henrico Shire → Currently Henrico County
  • James City Shire → Currently James City County
  • Warwick River Shire → Currently part of Newport News
  • Warrosquyoake Shire → Currently Isle of Wight County

• Peninsula:
  • Jamestown (1607) → The first permanent English settlement in America
  • Middle Plantation (1632) → Currently Williamsburg
  • Kecoughtan (1610) → Part of present-day Hampton
  • Charles River Shire (1634) → Currently Yorktown
  • James Citte (1619) → Part of present-day Newport News
  • Elizabeth Citte (1619) → Part of present-day Hampton

• South Side:
  • Warrosquyoake (1634) → Currently Isle of Wight
  • New Norfolk (1636) → Split into Lower Norfolk County and Upper Norfolk County; areas now comprise Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach
  • Lower Norfolk County (1637) → City of Norfolk
  • Upper Norfolk (1637-1646) → Transitioned into Nansemond County
  • Nansemond County (1646) → Currently City of Suffolk
  • Princess Anne County (1691) → City of Virginia Beach

Special Notes:

• The Elizabeth River Shire initially included territories on both the Peninsula and what is now known as the Southside, spanning the waters between Norfolk and Hampton today.
• Portsmouth and Chesapeake were not part of the original lineup. Portsmouth became a county of Norfolk in 1782 and an independent city in 1858. Chesapeake, originally part of Norfolk County, became an independent city in 1963.

This list provides a snapshot of the historical evolution of the Hampton Roads region from its earliest colonial divisions to its modern-day configuration as a collection of vibrant cities and counties, each with its unique history and contribution to the fabric of the nation.

THE CIVIL WAR THAT LED TO EMANCIPATION | “JUNETEENTH.”
The Civil War, a defining conflict that tore at the very fabric of the nation, set the stage for one of the most significant moments in American history: the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The war, fueled by deep-seated divisions over slavery and states' rights, ultimately led to President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Although the proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved people, it marked a crucial step toward the abolition of slavery. The culmination of these efforts and the Union's victory in the war paved the way for the celebration of Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865, when the news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth not only celebrates the end of slavery but also symbolizes the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality, serving as a reminder of the resilience and contributions of African Americans to the nation's history.