Near Kerrs Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Kerr’s Creek

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 11, 2017

1. Kerr’s Creek Marker

Inscription. A series of armed conflicts between Native Americans and settlers of European descent occurred along the western frontier of the British colonies during the 1750s and 1760s. In Oct. 1759, during the Seven Years’ War, Shawnee Indians from the Ohio Country attacked settlers here at Kerr’s Creek. Pontiac’s War (1763-1766), during which a confederation of Indian tribes sought to expel the British from the Great Lakes region, also reverberated here. On 17 July 1763, Shawnee, possibly led by Cornstalk, conducted another surprise attack on Kerr’s Creek. A number of inhabitants were killed, while others were captured and taken to Ohio.

Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.

Location. 37° 50.933′ N, 79° 29.092′ W. Marker is near Kerrs Creek, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. It is at the intersection of West Midland Trail (U.S. 60) and West Midland Trail (County Route 850) on West Midland Trail

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. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Massacre of Kerr's Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jane Todd Crawford (approx. 2.9 miles away); New Monmouth Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); New Monmouth Church and Morrison’s Birthplace (approx. 2.9 miles away); Liberty Hall Academy (approx. 4.3 miles away); Liberty Hall Academy Ruins (approx. 4.4 miles away); Founding of Kappa Alpha Order (approx. 4.6 miles away); W. Clark Minnigerode '92 Lacrosse Locker Room (approx. 4.6 miles away).

Also see . . . The Kerr's Creek Massacres (1759-1763). “Scarcely had the treaty (Treaty of Paris) ink dried before a powerful Ottawa chief named Pontiac began uniting the tribes throughout the Ohio. Said to have been instrumental in Braddock’s defeat near the opening of the French and Indian War, Pontiac had become a brilliant strategist who realized that without a united front the Native Americans were doomed. In a short time, he’d recruited from all the tribes from Lake Superior to Mexico. Each tribe in the confederation was to choose its best warriors. In May, 1763, the warriors were

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 11, 2017

2. Kerr’s Creek Marker

to attack 14 British garrisons along the frontier. Of those 14, all but four were captured. One of the four was Detroit, Pontiac’s personal goal. That summer, war raged up and down the frontier. Once again, the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk was assigned the area he knew well, the eastern Alleghanies, the Cowpasture and Jackson rivers, Botetourt, Kerrs Creek, Augusta. Small forts dotted the frontier from the French and Indian War. A confident Cornstalk knew he could take them all.” (Submitted on July 5, 2017.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,008 times since then and 194 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.