Also known as 'Conoy Island', many Piscataways fled to this island in the Potomac after spending some time in Virginia as a result of Maryland colonial aggression. The Piscataway made a village on this island, which was soon abandoned after an outbreak of smallpox. Some of the survivors moved back south into their homelands in Maryland, while others went north seeking the protection of the northern tribes.

This site is significant as one of the last where the Piscataways existed as a complete independent entity.



Photo: Heater's Island as seen from the Maryland shore of the Potomac River