Near Amherst in Amherst County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

James River Batteau

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2011

1. James River Batteau Marker

Inscription.
Near here lived Anthony and Benjamin Rucker, inventors of the James River batteau, which superseded the double dugout canoe and rolling road for transporting tobacco hogsheads. These long (about 50 or 60 feet), double-ended vessels dominated the commercial traffic on the James River and other Southern upland waterways between the 1770s and 1840s. A dispute arose in 1821 when the Rucker brothers’ heirs sought to patent the design. A letter from Thomas Jefferson testifying to his presence at the first batteau’s launch resolved the matter in the Ruckers’s favor.

Erected 1993 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number R-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 37° 31.855′ N, 79° 6.119′ W. Marker is near Amherst, Virginia, in Amherst County. Marker is on South Amherst Highway (Business U.S. 29) south of North Coolwell Road (County Route 663). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amherst VA 24521, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rucker’s Chapel (here, next to this marker);

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Sweet Briar House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Sweet Briar Plantation Slave Cabin (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Boxwood Alumnae House (approx. 2.2 miles away); Sweet Briar College (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bear Mountain Indian Mission School (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Amherst Depot (approx. 4.6 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amherst.

Also see . . .
1. James River bateau. Wikipedia entry:
“The James River Bateau was a shallow draft river craft used during the period from 1775 to 1840 to transport tobacco and other cargo on the James river and its tributaries in the state of Virginia. It was flat bottomed and pointed at both ends. The length of the bateau varied greatly, 58 feet (17.5 m) being a common length. The bateau was propelled by bateaumen pushing with long sturdy poles. Alternate spellings of bateau include batteau, batoe and the plurals bateaux, batoes, and batteaux. Bateau is the French word for boat. In the colonial days, bateaus were used extensively in rivers

James River Batteau and Rucker’s Chapel Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2011

2. James River Batteau and Rucker’s Chapel Markers

throughout the eastern part of the United States” (Submitted on August 21, 2011.)

2. James River Batteau Festival. Website homepage:
This website includes photographs of batteaux on the river. (Submitted on August 21, 2011.)

Additional keywords. batteau, batoe, bateaux, batoes, batteaux.

The James River Batteau Edward Scott image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009

3. The James River Batteau Edward Scott

The boat is missing its canopy and other furnishings. It is on display in Scottsville at Canal Basin Square.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,177 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.