Owenton in King and Queen County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Donald Robertson’s School

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 13, 2020

1. Donald Robertson’s School Marker

Inscription. Donald Robertson (1717-1783), born and educated in Scotland, established a private boarding school on his farm two miles southwest of here by 1758. Among his students were James Madison, fourth president of the United States and "Father of the Constitution," and Brig. Gen. George Rogers Clark, militia commander in the Old Northwest during the Revolutionary War. Madison attended the school between the ages of 11 and 16 and later described Robertson as "a man of extensive learning, and a distinguished Teacher." Instructing both boys and girls, Robertson provided a classical education influenced by the Scottish Enlightenment. He operated his highly respected school for at least 15 years.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number OB 19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.

Location. 37° 53.001′ N, 77° 6.038′ W. Marker is in Owenton, Virginia, in King and Queen County. It is at the intersection

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Newtown Road (Virginia Route 721) and Sorghum Road ( Route 660), on the right when traveling north on Newtown Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Stephens Church VA 23148, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Newtown (approx. 2.6 miles away); Park Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); Clark Home (approx. 6.1 miles away); Apple Tree Church (approx. 6.1 miles away); Cavalry Raids (approx. 7 miles away); Montville (approx. 7.7 miles away); King and Queen County / Essex County (approx. 9 miles away); Mattaponi Indian Town (approx. 9 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mount Pleasant (was approx. 8.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 13, 2020

2. Donald Robertson’s School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,543 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 13, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.