National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-29
CHLNC0TEAGUE ISLAND.

SHORT HISTORY OF THE ISLAND AND
ITS PEOPLE.
A correspondent Of the New York Herald, writ
ing from Chincotesgue, Aceomac county, Va,
furnishes the following interesting history Of
Chincotesgus Island; l.
This island, az daaf as can be made out, was
settled about one hundred and twenty years ago
Joshua wheaton, Of Wales, the Joneses from
Scotland, the Tunnels, Hills and Corners were
among the first settlers. One Of the Oldest set
tiers, Guinea negro by the nRme Of ocker Brin-
ney died here in 1908 at the age Of 100 years. He
was first landed at the Rhode Island slave mart,
and was brought to the Eastern Shore' by one
Captain Taylor, who sent him over to this island
70 look after stock. He could never be civilized,
and was tattoood all over. In 1850 there were
bhiy 1--we hundred inhabitants here. The first
marble slab erected in a burying ground was to
Ebs Wheaton, who died IN 1854, and the hrst
brick arch over o grave was IN 1850.
Previous to that time the inhabitants Of the
silent city, we're very lucky even If they had o
wooden post to mark their graves. The Oldest
white man on the Island is Captain James Birch.
He Is eightytHo years Of age and IS the father Of
a child only eleven months old. 1t is place. by
the way, prolific Of children. Mrs. Williams and
ME-. Tim HiII, two majestic mstrons, have each
been the mothers Of seventeen children, and old
Joshua wheaton was the father Of tWenty-one
boys and girls log scnooihGTse vas as. DULL hi IN
was built in 1858. Thirty-fve years ago, with
three exceptions, all the houses were built Of
logs. There has slWsys been from early umes
some attention TO
THE Forms OF MATRIMoNY.
Tho minister used to publish the banns, and
being required to do It in three different places
he would 90 to three corners OF the house TO do H.
getting the law in that way. The minister usu-
ally received fee Of twelve and half cents for
marrying, but now they get all the way from 81
to S. The Ohineoteaguers have no great idea OF
paying ministers much Of anything Tor their SER
vices. Fifty dollars per annum used to be ire
mendous salary. They noF get from e1o0 to 900.
As rule the houses have only one room, and In
that the families have to live and die. vast In
proyement in this regard, however, is rapidly
taking place.
THERE rs not MUCH LAW
business here. The local magistrate can warrant
up TO $50. Beyond that o case must go to court,
and the nearest courthouse is OF Drummond,
thirty miles away. The expense deters the peo-
pie from the law. Many have moved away from
here, some to Philadelphia and New York and
some to the far West. The field Is not bad one
for Catholic priests missionary work.
The people are very curious and original In
many expressions. For instance, in speaking Of
the number in o family, they always say man
has so many ahead OF children" d.
There is not single plano on the island, and
the only hddlers are crab-like insects which swarm
the marshy grounds near the beach. Inwalking,
here, feudal-like, the husband always precedeS
his wife She walks at o respectful distance be-
hind him. never arm in arm. The new corners are
not included In this statement.
SHEEP PBNNING DAY
IS TN great island holiday. On this day the
children are permitted to have lotle candy and
These are some OF the special and peculiar char
acteristics Of these people, and to the student Of
American civilization they are interesting.