Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Basse’s Choice

Photographed By Laura Troy, September 23, 2007

1. Basse's Choice Marker

Inscription. In Nov. 1621, Capt. Nathaniel Basse received a grant of 300 acres of land, now known as Basse’s Choice, located nearby. It was one of the first English settlements in Isle of Wight County, though humans had lived there more than 5000 years. On Mar. 1622, during the Powhatan-English War of 1622–1632, attacks coordinated by Chief Opechancanough struck various English settlements including Basse’s Choice. Basse was in England when this event occurred. He resettled the region by 1624, when twenty people lived there. Basse later served in the House of Burgesses and was appointed to the governor’s council in Mar. 1630.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-242.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1622.

Location. 37° 0.832′ N, 76° 38.053′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Virginia, in Isle of Wight County. Marker is on Old Stage Highway (Virginia Route 10) north of Bounts Corner Road, on the right when traveling north. This marker sits with K-241 before Hardy Elementary

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School. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smithfield VA 23430, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bennett’s Plantation (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Fort Boykin Historic Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Welcome to Fort Boykin (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Boykin (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Historic James and its Tributaries (approx. 1.7 miles away); Camp Eustis Attacks Fort Boykin (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Boykin Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Boykin during the Civil War (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Bennett's Plantation and Basse's Choice image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Laura Troy, September 23, 2007

2. Bennett's Plantation and Basse's Choice

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,983 times since then and 374 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.