County of Northampton

Location: Courthouse Road near Savage Neck Eastville, VA

WY 8 Home of the First Settler

Thomas Savage, a lad of thirteen, arrived at Jamestown on 2 Jan. 1608 with Capt. Christopher Newport on the ship John and Francis. John Smith later wrote, "The next day Newport came a shore .... A boy named Thomas Savage (whom Newport called son) was then given unto Powhatan." Savage resided several years with the Indians, growing up in association with Pocahontas.
He became proficient in the Indian languages and later served as an interpreter. Savage settled on the Eastern Shore by 1619. There Debedeavon, the "Laughing King," gave him a large tract of land, perhaps 9,000 acres for increasing trade with the Indians.

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, 1995

The Encyclopedia Virginia has a detailed history and timeline for Thomas Savage. His story is a fascinating tale of the early colonial days in Virginia. Thomas Savage played a role in the founding of Northampton County and is considered to be the first white permanent settler of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
"In or around 1621, Savage had received from Esmy Shichans a large tract of land on the Eastern Shore containing an estimated 9,000 acres. (This tract of land would become known as Savage’s Neck.) About two years later, he married a woman named Hannah (sometimes Ann), who had come to Virginia at her own expense in 1621 on the Seaflower. The two had a son, John, around 1624. Savage’s prosperity in the fur trade is reflected in the records of the day: by early 1625, Savage was recorded as possessing a house, a barn, a boat, and two servants; two years later, he was the owner of a 150-acre plantation, Savages Choice." 

Part of Thomas Savage's land can still be visited to this day if you travel down Savage Neck in Eastville and visit Savage Neck Dunes. 

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve

Savage Neck Dunes beach Photo credit: William Dyas

"The preserve is open daily to the public, but has no restroom facilities, trash receptacles, access to drinking water or on-site staff. Be aware that the Savage Neck Dunes parking lot is small, with space for only eight (8) vehicles. 

If you arrive and the lot is full, please return later. Do not park illegally on adjacent private property, along the access road, within a public road right-of-way or in any other non-designated location.

There are three (3) marked hiking trails with interpretive signage. Please practice "leave no trace" by packing out all trash. Take only photographs and leave only footprints.

Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or resource management activities. Please call before visiting, especially during deer season when managed hunts may be underway."
For more information visit the DCR webpage for Savage Neck.


Photo credit: Jean E. Flynn
Visitors can see some of the highest and best developed sand dunes in Virginia. 

 
"Look for post oaks, water oaks, sassafras, blueberries and pink lady’s-slipper orchids. Listen for spring peepers, green tree frogs and cricket frogs. Notice painted turtles sunning on logs and dragonflies feeding around the ponds. Follow the 0.75-mile Beach Trail through the forest and dunes to the Chesapeake Bay. "
-From the Natural Area Preserve Visitation Guide 

Thomas Savage - American Dreamer
YouTube Channel: DelmarvaAlmanac

Throwback Thursday w/ Jim Duffy - Thomas Savage
YouTube Channel: Delmarva Life 

JOURNEYS: The British Teenager Left Behind to Live with the Indians in 1608 Jim Duffy Secrets of the Eastern Shore