Probably the first landowners of the Nansemond Fort site was John Wilkins, who patented 1,300 acres in 1636 on the east side of the Nansemond River and abutting Knott's Creek. Wilkins was living in Accomac County on Virginia's Eastern Shore in 1623 and likely never occupied the Nansemond Fort site. Wilkins likely placed servants or tenants on his property.

The land was sold to Michael Wilcox by 1638, who took up residence. Wilcox was an Ancient Planter (a colonist who was in Virginia by 161 was entitled to 100 acres if he paid his own passage and lived in the colony for 3 years prior to application, this policy set up by Governor Sir Thomas Dale) who came to Virginia in 1610 in De La Warr's fleet.

Little is known of Wilcox. He did submit a petition to Governor Wyatt in late 1623 or early 1624, charging that William Ganey had failed to live up to an agreement. The muster taken in 1624 identifies William Gany living in Elizabeth Cittie with his wife and 7 servants. The muster shows that the Gany household was quite well provisioned. It lists 3 houses and a pallizado and armed with 12 peeces, 2 pistols, 6 swords, 8 armors, 6 lbs of powder and 100 lbs of lead, food provisions of 15 barrels of corn, 1 hogshead of peas, and 11 swine (Jester and Hiden, 60-61). Wilcox agreement with Gany was that in exchange for 1 years service, Gany would give Wilcox 180 lbs of tobacco, 5 barrels of corn, and to " sett him up of his owne cost & Charges a house of 20 foote long & 15 foote wide,…"

Samuel Stoughton married Wilcox's widow Elinor, and repatented 800 acres in 1645 that formerly belonged to Michael Wilcox. Samuel Stoughton was a burgess.

Archaeology:

The Nansemond Fort site, also known as Harbourview, is located on the south side of the Nansemond River near its confluence with the James River. The site was mechanically stripped of plowzone. All features were completely excavated and screened through at least ¼" mesh. All of the site was completely excavated. Artifacts and documents suggest that the site was occupied from circa 1636-1655.

Structures

There were 3 main structures and 1 major outbuilding at the Nansemond Fort site.

Structure 1 had overall dimensions of 14' by 26' and was composed of three bays-two 8' bays and one 10' bay. The north end 8' bay had a root cellar (ER10) that was 4'6" wide and 5'6" long. The position of the root cellar within the building suggests it was located in front of a hearth. Indeed, the north gable had small postmolds were likely part of a wood-and-clay chimney. All four walls were studded.

Structure 2 was 17' north of Structure 1 and aligned with Structure 1. It had overall dimensions of 20' by 34' consisting of two 12' bays and one 10' bay. It had an uniquely positioned fireplace at the southeast corner corner of the building. The fireplace was 7' wide and 4' deep. Structure 2 also had a 5' wide by 10' closet at the southwest corner and likely a porch at south-center that was 4' by 6'. All four walls were studded.

Structure 3 was the only structure in west half of compound. It's dimensions were 30' by 18'. Two shallow trenches inside the building are thought to be evidence of internal partitions. There was no evidence of a heat source. All four walls were studded.

Structure 4 was 24' west of Structure 2 and aligned with Structure 2. It measured 16' by 16' with a 4' shed on the east side. The building was studded.

Fortifications

There were at least two obvious periods of fortification at the Nansemond Fort site.

Trapezoidal fort with bastions at the northeast and southwest corners. The south curtain was 222' long, the east curtain was 98' long, the west curtain 75' long, and the north curtain 224' long. Main gate, 4' wide, in the south curtain, located 79' from southwest bastion. A postern gate, 21/2' wide, in the north curtain near Structure 2. The larger northeast bastion, entrance was 5'6" wide at throat and internal diameter of 14'. The smaller southwest bastion had same size entrance, 5'6", with an internal diameter of 91/2-10'.

Pits

Pit 19 was located just north of Structure 2. It was rectangular with a flat bottom.

Pits 4 and 5 were irregular shallow pits likely dug to obtain clay.

Well

This feature was about 7' in diameter and 8'6" deep below the level of subsoil. There was no evidence of a lining.



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