 When land was first patented by European settlers in 1666, Saxis Island was divided into two sections; the north end, the 150-acre property of Robert Sikes was known as “Sikes’s Island,” and the remaining 200-acre parcel to the south was owned by George Parker who called his land “St.George’s Island.” The division is still partly visible by a drainage ditch along Saxis Road.By 1860, the population had risen to 169 residents, including 15 free blacks.