THE REVOLUTIONARY SHORE: Celebrate the Semiquincentennial 1776 – 2026

By Kellee Blake

January 4, 1776  

250 years ago . . .

The newlyweds marveled at the possibilities 1776 might bring them. Frances Yeardley West (15) and Robinson Custis (20) had married just a month before at the St. James Parish brick chapel near present day Onley.  Their wedding of “much pomp” and all night festivity was one of THE Shore social events of 1775.  The guests were so convincing in their merry making, said a later writer, that one might think them without dread of the “impending calamity.” 

In fact, unease riddled most Shore folk.  They could not ignore the presence of British vessels in their waters, the shortages of goods, the militia drills, an exodus of merchants and “strangers,” and the increasing authority of the Accomack and Northampton County Committees. The young Custises were enjoying seasonal social visits and Epiphany preparations when word arrived that Norfolk—Virginia’s most populous city–was ablaze.  Would the Shore and their families on Deep Creek be next? 

Learn more about the exciting wartime journey of Robinson and Frances West Custis in future installments of The Revolutionary Shore and join WESR on the 4th of each month to learn more about Virginia and the Shore’s role in the War for Independence.  America/s 250th Anniversary is here!