The Great Wicomico River and Northumberland County
Settlement of the Great Wicomico River area began around the mid-1600s at the mouth of the river. At that time, it was known as the “Great Wicomoco River,” and was home to the Wicomoco Indians, under the leadership of their chief, Mackywap.
According to the book, Cavaliers and Pioneers, a transcript of early Virginia land records, the earliest English owner of property in what was to become Northumberland County was Captain Samuell Mathewes. In 1643, Capt. Mathewes was granted a 4,000-acre parcel of land stretching from the Rappahannnock to the “Wiccokomocco River.” It is likely that this patent was abandoned, since there is no indication of later transfer.
Most of our Rivers Knoll development falls within the original patent tract granted by Richard Bennett, Governor of Virginia, to Nicholas Morris on June 1, 1654. It comprised 512 acres of land in Northumberland County, bounded on the northeast by the “ Great Wicocomoco River.” Nicholas Morris did not farm or reside on the land within the three years required by the patent. The land was next patented to James Pope on September 24, 1659, but was bought back by Morris on December 23, 1659. Nicholas Morris was then about 54 years old, and his wife Martha was about 50 years old. Both could write. Nicholas died in 1665 and willed the property to his widow, who then married Thomas Lane.
The Revolution and Civil War Eras
“Down By the Old Mill Stream” was a hit song of the Gay ‘90s era. Northumberland County records indicate that Knights Run was one of those old mill streams. Around the time of the Revolution, there was an old mill just about where Rivers Knoll Lot 89 touches upon Knights Run. In deeds involving William Davenport, dating between 1769 and 1786, there were references to “the old mill pond” and to “Payne’s old mill.” By 1868, Thomas B. Alexander, a local attorney and land speculator, had bought all of the Rivers Knoll, Sampson’s Wharf and Knights Landing properties.
Steamboats are A ‘Comin Around The Bend
By that same year, 1868, the place had become “Davenport’s old mill.” The mill itself straddled Knights Run. Traces of the mill site still exist, primarily in the mill pond that lies upstream. Another much more prominent reminder of the mill is Island Point Road, which served as an entrance to the site for many years, with access via a bridge. The mill was still standing after the Civil War, as indicated by a sketch made in 1868. It is believed that some parts of the old dam and mill building were in evidence as recently as the early 1980s.
From 1813 to 1937 steamboats were the main transport of people and goods for the Chesapeake Bay area, especially the Northern Neck. There was a lack of roads, bridges and there was no railroad on the peninsula. Sampson’s Wharf was one of the main wharfs on the Great Wicomico River and there are still pilings to be seen at this location. Rivers Knoll also had a steamboat wharf and general store, the foundations of which are still visible. It was located near the farmhouse up river from Sampson’s Wharf.
Below are some photos of the area and a schedule of landing times for Keen’s Wharf.
Rivers Knoll Today
In 1982, Rivers Knoll was acquired for development by Patrick Investment Corporation, from a tract of land in the estate of General Torrence Tully, U.S. Army, (Retired). Our original Articles of Incorporation are dated October, 1984, and the original Bylaws of RKHOA were signed by Ernest Beelat, Secretary.
Rivers Knoll consists of 97 residential lots, plus a Community lot that faces both the River and Island Creek. More properly, the River is an estuary of the Chesapeake Bay. The area is home to bald eagles, blue herons, egrets, porpoise, bluefish, rockfish, otters, deer, wild turkey, and a variety of ducks, as well as a few discerning and lucky humans.
The strength of any outstanding organization is its people. Our beautiful Rivers Knoll is a great community because of the great people who live here! If you attend our Annual Meetings or our social events, you know what a prize we have in the “family” that Rivers Knoll has become. The heart of our community is in the folks who have made Rivers Knoll their full time home.
In addition to having beautiful homes that enhance all our property values and the overall quality of Rivers Knoll, the folks making our community their full time home work hard for our homeowners’ association. They are the majority of the volunteers on our Board of Directors and comprise our maintenance group, The Beavers. They also pick up litter, discourage trespassing, and build relationships with other Heathsville residents. We appreciate our “settlers” in the beautiful woods we all cherish, and we are grateful for our history of conscientious self-management. Please communicate your ideas to our Association’s Officers and Directors as they plan for the future of our community.
Rivers Knoll Home Owners Association, Inc. 