DELMARVA PENINSULA: DELAWARE, MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA
Colonial Home of the Whittington Family 1636
(For more information see below the map)
Delmarva Peninsula:
Accomack is on the southern ‘finger’ of land.
The Virginia state line with Maryland is highlighted in red. This boundary was in dispute as the colonies grew under British governance. Virginia’s presence on the peninsula has long been represented by the two counties: Accomack and Northampton. Accomac Shire was established in 1634 as one of the eight original shires of Virginia. In 1642 the name was changed to Northampton, following a policy of eliminating “heathen names”. Apparently just saying the name ‘Accomac’ reminded people of Satan himself. Northampton was divided into two counties in 1663. That division created considerable unrest among citizens of Accomack who felt they got the shaft. They at least got their name back to where they wanted it. There were some shady dealings. Under the table stuff was taking place and it involved one of our Whittington family. Colonel Edmund Scarborough, was at the heart of what some considered treasonable and criminal activity. Scarborough (many variations of the spelling can be found) was a ruthless son of a bitch (putting it mildly) and considered by many to be the emperor of the peninsula, with his own standing army, navy and position as tax collector, sheriff and land baron status. He was able to maintain control on the peninsula from 1635 through to his death in 1671.
In the early 1600’s the realm was known as the Kingdom of Accomawck, and considered to be separate from the Virginia Colony, and at times, beyond the grip of the British monarch. Residents on the peninsula included many of the Whittington extended family in the 1600’s: Whittingtons, Littletons, Bowmans, Southeys, Balls, Scarboroughs, Custis and Warners. These folks were the forerunners of the Founding Fathers and they literally established a ruling class on the peninsula and would extend their residency and control into the Great Neck of Virginia.
