Cypress in Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

James Bowser Plantation

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, circa November 26, 2010

1. James Bowser Plantation Marker

Inscription. James Bowser, the only negro from Nansemond County to fight in the American Revolution, enlisted as a private in the Virginia Continental Line and was honorably discharged in 1782. Bowser returned to the county at the close of the Revolution and built his own business as a farmer and horse-breeder on land granted as bounty for his services to the Commonwealth. He married and reared a large family of free-born citizens.

Erected 1981 by the Descendants of James Bowser. (Marker Number K-310.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1782.

Location. 36° 48.917′ N, 76° 31.512′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is in Cypress. It is on Sleepy Hole Road (County Road 629), on the left when traveling north. The marker stands on a corner of land with Monogram Field, a single diamond baseball field that belongs to Suffolk Parks and Recreation. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3731 Sleepy Hole Road, Suffolk VA 23434, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Revolutionary Camp (approx. 1.1 miles away); James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. 1½ miles away); Yeates School (approx. 1½ miles away); Bennett's Home (approx. 1.7 miles away); Hargrove's Tavern (approx. 1.7 miles away); Glebe Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Glebe Church (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

More about this marker. This marker for James Bowser Plantation has the same number K 310 as the marker for James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier, erected by the Department of Historic Resources, 1998 on Nansemond Parkway. See the other nearby markers section for the link.

A view of the marker looking south, the direction of Nansemond Parkway (Route 337). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 4, 2017

2. A view of the marker looking south, the direction of Nansemond Parkway (Route 337).

A view of the marker looking north, the direction of Kings Highway (Route 125). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, February 4, 2017

3. A view of the marker looking north, the direction of Kings Highway (Route 125).

Monogram Field and its parking area are in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,755 times since then and 109 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.