In 1711, the Colony of Maryland authorized Colonel William Whittington to survey a tract of 1000 acres near this location as a reservation for the Indian River Indians, who were remnant groups of the Assateague and Nanticoke Indians. At the time, the Indian River formed the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Maryland deeded the land, known as Askekesky or Acksquessance, to Queen Weatomotonies and her son Robin for the reservation. William and Joshua Burton purchased the land in 1743. Descendants of the Indian River Indians became part of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe and continue to live along the Indian River and beyond.