The Indentured Servants' Plot Marker

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Near Saluda in King and Queen County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Indentured Servants' Plot

By Bernard Fisher, December 6, 2009

1. The Indentured Servants' Plot Marker

Inscription. During the summer of 1663, indentured servants (held for several years of service) in the Poropotank River and Purtan Bay region plotted an insurrection against their masters to occur on 13 Sept. 1663. It was prevented when John Berkenhead, servant of Maj. John Smith, of Gloucester County, informed the authorities of the planned uprising. For "his honest affection of the preservation of this Country" the Virginia House of Burgesses, on 16 Sept., granted Berkenhead his freedom and 5,000 pounds of tobacco. In addition, the Burgesses proclaimed that 13 Sept. would henceforth annually be "kept holy."

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number N 58.)

Location. 37° 30.002′ N, 76° 39.142′ W. Marker is near Saluda, Virginia, in King and Queen County. Marker is on Buena Vista Road (Virginia Route 14) half a mile east of Poropotank Drive, on the right when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda VA 23149, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. King and Queen County / Gloucester County (here, next to this marker); Poropotank Creek (a few steps from this marker); Poplar Spring Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Marlfield (approx. 4.5 miles away); Middlesex County / Gloucester County (approx. 6.4 miles away); Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 6.7 miles away); Corbin's Church (approx. 6.8 miles away); Middlesex County Courthouse (approx. 8 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Saluda.

Buena Vista Road (facing east) Photo, Click for full size

By Bernard Fisher, December 6, 2009

2. Buena Vista Road (facing east)

Credits. This page originally submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,232 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.