The Great Dismal Swamp

Interesting research supported by the finding of artifacts in the Dismal Swamp has shown that from 1607 to 1730, Native Americans such as from the Nansemond, Meherrin, Tuscarora, and Chesapeake tribes lived in the Dismal swamp out of a need to survive situations that came with colonization such as violence and the spread of life-threatening illnesses.  . Also taking refuge in the thick vegetation and oppressive swamp conditions of the Dismal Swamp, black slaves fled nearby plantations from the 17th century to the mid-19th century and established communities there for generations. These escaped slaves are called Maroons and research continues to uncover information about their existence and way of life in what many believed was an uninhabitable environment.  Native American people and the escaped slaves both lived in the Dismal swamp for a time, but the time came when it was the black maroons who were the majority of peoples living their lives with families in the Dismal swamp....

The Dismal  Swamp’s water is amazingly pure because the tannic acids from the bark of the juniper, cypress, and gum trees inhibit bacterial growth in the water. That is the reason the water is amber-colored. The water from the Dismal Swamp was valued by Colonial era sailors on sailing ships before there was refrigeration because the swamp water in kegs remained fresh for extended periods due to its characteristics.   Some sailors professed to drinking  the water because they believed it prevented sickness and could lead to a longer life. Reports came back that the water tasted good with some reports that it reminded the sailors of sassafras tea which also contains tannins. There were ships that stocked up on the Dismal Swamp water by storing it in wooden kegs before heading on the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean with expectations that the water would last until they needed it.