Existing comment:
Early Settlers:
Many of the earliest Europeans who held title to land east of the Anacostia River owned large tracts which they held for investment purposes. Seventeenth century maps and records show the names of prominent owners of Far Southeast tracts, including John Charman, Thomas Dent, Luke Green, Dr. John Meekes, William Middleton, James Pencott, George Thompson, and Thomas Wentworth.
When advantageous, these investors bought more land, sold entire tracts, or divided them up or sold smaller parcels in an effort to maximize their profit. For example, Thomas Dent originally owned Giesborough (or Giesboro), which he later sold to George Thompson . By 1662, Thompson held two tracts, including Blue Plains (Blew Playne). In 1663, John Charman acquired and immediately sold the Saint Elizabeth tract to John Meekes, who then sold it to Thompson (who also kept Blue Plains). Thriving communities later developed on all these large tracts.
Plantations and even small farms in the area initially raised tobacco; later the land produced fruits and vegetables for local and regional markets. African slavery provided the labor for the plantations found along the Eastern Branch. By the mid-1800s, a significant population of free black families could also be found here.
In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Bill, which authorized establishment of the national capital in this region. After George Washington announced the location for the new location for the new District of Columbia, many people expected that the southeastern quadrant of the city would quickly expand and develop to take full advantage of both the Potomac and Eastern Branch rivers. The construction of the Navy Yard in 1798 on the Eastern Branch and the need to house its growing number of workers also seemed to indicate that the city might grow in this direction. People eager to make a profitable investment bought land along the Eastern Branch expected it to increase greatly in value over a short period of time. Investors included James Barry -- for whom the Barry Farm neighborhood is named -- and William Marbury, principal in an early landmark Supreme Court case. |