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Farrar's Island
In 1611, Farrar's Island was the site of
the "Citie of Henrico,"
one of Virginia's first four primary
settlement areas under the Virginia Company of London. Later, it was part of a
2000-acre land patent issued posthumously to William
Farrar (farrar1) in 1637. Farrar, who arrived in Virginia from London in
1618 aboard the Neptune, invested in the company under its third charter. In
1626, Governor Sir George Yeardley appointed Farrar to the governor's Council,
a position he occupied until 1632. He also served as a justice for two
counties. Farrar family members resided on the island until they sold it to
Thomas Randolph on 26 Jan. 1727.
This map shows the colonial
James River settlements and land owners. Sir Thomas Dale built his City of
Henricus on what became known as Farrar's Island. Henricus stood "upon a neck
of very high land, 3 parts thereof environed with the main River." As a
defensive measure, Dale erected a long fence known as a pale across the narrow
end of the neck of land to make it an island. The fortified settlement was
burned to the ground in 1622 during the "Greate Massacre" and wasn't opened up
for resettlement until 1628 when William Farrar
(farrar1) applied for the patent. William took up residence on the island
between 1628 and 1631. The island remained the primary residence of the Farrar
family until 1727 when they sold the it to the Randolphs.
The area, which is still known as Farrar's Island,
is located 12 miles south of present-day Richmond and is the site of a state
park. The two maps are 90 degrees off. The insert on the present day map shows
them both pointing the same way. Today the 1611 Citie of Henricus is being
recreated in a new and exciting way. To best educate visitors about the
important beginnings that occurred at Henricus in a compelling and dynamic way,
the Citie is being rebuilt in seven educational venues, or "outdoor
classrooms." Each venue will focus on one of the many beginnings that occurred
at Henricus, and will include living history interpretation, buildings and
gardens.
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