This landmark work is presented for the first time since its debut in 1965 when a limited number of copies were privately printed. The study focuses on a portion of the Northern Neck of Virginia that today comprises primarily Essex and Richmond Counties but extends to neighboring counties as well. It begins with details about the interactions between native Indians and the incoming white man who largely moved in from Jamestown, the York River, and other points south, and then spins forward through the establishment of church parish boundaries, clearing of forested lands for corn and tobacco fields, the construction of private and public buildings, and the organization of local governments.

The text is accompanied with three illustrations by the late Sydney E. King, a nationally famous documentary artist whose pictures are found at national monuments and in state and national parks across the nation. An additional illustration is drawn by Mrs. John L. Motley, Jr. (Viven Farish) from old family photographs of Colonel John Catlett's home that once stood above Port Royal, Virginia, which was in her childhood the home of her grandparents.

"Old" Rappahannock County was first created from Lancaster in 1656 and became extinct in 1692 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond Counties. The present county of the same name was formed in 1833 from Culpeper County and is located some 100 miles to the west. Because of the loss of the earliest court order books, historical details before 1683 are limited and are drawn by the author from Lancaster County records.

The original mimeographed text has been retyped and reformatted with a new detailed index by Wesley E. Pippenger. Be advised that page citations to the original text are therefore modified in this edition. We thank the author's family for permission to reprint this unique and valuable documentation of Virginia's early years.