The name “Pungoteague” was derived from the Native American term “Pungotekw,” which means Sand Fly River. It was the name used by the earliest inhabitants. The little town still enjoys the same name and had 346 residents in 2020.
"A Community Gone: The Eastern Shore Natives"
First, the town was in Accomack County, Virginia, but some odd things occurred with the county name. In 1642, the name of Accomack County was changed to Northampton. Northampton was then divided into two counties in 1663. The northern section assumed the original Accomack name and the southern section assumed Northampton.
Interestingly, in 1670, Governor William Berkeley, the Royal Governor of Virginia, abolished Accomack County, but the Virginia General Assembly re-created it in 1671!
For many years, court proceedings were held at Pungoteague, Virginia, in the tavern belonging to John Cole. John Cole was in 1632 in Accomack County (then Northampton County) and died there before 1699. He was the son of William Cole, the immigrant to Virginia who arrived on the ship “Neptune” and resided in Accomack/Northampton County, Virginia.
When the freeholders decided to erect a courthouse in 1677, John Cole offered his newly purchased Freeman plantation as a convenient site for the projected county seat. Freeman also offered to furnish thirty thousand bricks and timber for the construction. These bricks were to be burned on the spot by James Ewell, who was indebted to Cole. Three years passed, and the projected structure still needed to be completed. In 1680, the court ordered Major Charles Scarborough to engage workmen immediately to proceed with the construction.
Source: Letter of John Cole dated Dec. 20, 1677, Accomac County Records, vol. 1676–8, p. 97.
In 1663, the St. George Anglican Church was created in Accomack Parish and was the first church to occupy the site in 1678.
After the Revolutionary War, the Anglican (later Episcopal) Church was disestablished in Virginia, and Priests no longer could count on government support for their salaries. The Revolutionary War delivered controversy among the settlers in Virginia, and the graves of Colonial settlers were destroyed in cemeteries. With this great loss to the genealogist searching for family members, one must search county records. Fortunately, many records are online at VirginiaPioneers.net. Records began in 1671. Search the link below for your family names. That will help you determine if your family is in Accomack/Northampton County.
During the Civil War, it was observed that the St. George Church stood in ruin, with one of its four wings wholly dismantled and all interior furnishings destroyed. The silver communion service inscribed “This belongs to the Parish of Accomack,” dated 1734–1735, was preserved. In later years, the Episcopal Church restored part of this building, but it is unknown if it is operative today.
Also, the Virginia Pioneers website has been updated. I hope you like the new look! Use the link below.
https://virginiapioneers.net