Washington at the Swamp
Who is the most famous historical figure associated with the Great Dismal Swamp? If you guessed George Washington, you are correct! A young Washington, age 31, made his first visit to this “glorious paradise abounding in fowl and game” in 1763. Washington made seven trips to the area throughout the 1760s-1770s, surveying parts of the swamp that are now the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
After the initial visit, Washington joined with several prominent Virginians and North Carolinians to form two syndicates known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company and the Adventurers for Draining the Great Dismal Swamp. The goal of these companies was to amass land, drain the swamp for farming, harvest the trees, and resell it for a significant profit. Washington, a manager of the project, was responsible for securing title, surveying, assembling an enslaved labor force, and making the operation self-sustaining and profitable. Ditches were dug and shingles were produced from the cedar trees, but the companies failed to drain the swamp for farming.
By 1796, Washington had become disappointed in the management of the company’s lumber business and contracted to sell his 1/12th share to Harry Lee, father of Robert E. Lee, who never was able to come up with the purchase price. Upon his death in 1799, Washington’s share passed on to his heirs.
(Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge)
Although Washington was not the first to suggest draining the swamp and digging a canal to connect the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in VA to the Albemarle Sound in NC, he fully supported the project. The historic Dismal Swamp Canal, proposed by Colonel William Byrd, was completed in 1805 and is the oldest hand dug canal in continual operation in the United States.
Visit the Dismal Swamp State Park to explore more of the swamp’s rich history!