Surry in Surry County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
English Settlement on Gray’s Creek
Photographed By Laura Troy, September 23, 2007
1. English Settlement on Gray's Creek Marker
Inscription.
English Settlement on Gray’s Creek. . English settlement along Gray’s Creek began by 1609 when Capt. John Smith ordered a defensive fortification built on the tidal creek opposite Jamestown. Though the English did not finish construction the fort (known as Smith’s Fort) and soon abandoned it, an earthwork remains on a high bluff overlooking Gray’s Creek. It is believed that Thomas Rolfe, the only child of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, inherited his father’s patent along this creek. The stream was named Smith’s Fort Creek and the Rolfe’s Creek. By 1648 it became known as Gray’s Creek for Thomas Gray, who had patented land at the mouth of the creek.
English settlement along Gray’s Creek began by 1609 when Capt. John Smith ordered a defensive fortification built on the tidal creek opposite Jamestown. Though the English did not finish construction the fort (known as Smith’s Fort) and soon abandoned it, an earthwork remains on a high bluff overlooking Gray’s Creek. It is believed that Thomas Rolfe, the only child of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, inherited his father’s patent along this creek. The stream was named Smith’s Fort Creek and the Rolfe’s Creek. By 1648 it became known as Gray’s Creek for Thomas Gray, who had patented land at the mouth of the creek.
Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-319.)
Location. 37° 8.037′ N, 76° 53.166′ W. Marker is in Surry, Virginia, in Surry County. Marker is at the intersection of Colonial Trail West (Virginia Route 10) and Hollybush Road (County Route 618), on the right when traveling north on Colonial Trail West. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Surry VA 23883, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker sits with K-224 and across the street from K-229.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,658 times since then and 93 times this year. Photo1. submitted on September 24, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
