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

The Fields Family

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 2, 2020

1. The Fields Family Marker

Inscription. Martha Ann Fields and most of her 11 children were enslaved laborers on the Nutshell plantation, just northeast of here. In 1863, she led her family across the Pamunkey River to Union lines and freedom. The family settled in Hampton, pursued education, and became leading citizens after the war. James A. Fields (1844-1903), a member of Hampton Institute's first graduating class, was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1889. George Washington Fields (1854-1932), the first African American to earn a law degree from Cornell University, was a prominent attorney. His daughter, Inez Fields Scott (1895-1978), was the third African American woman admitted to practice law in Virginia.

Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number ND 18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 37° 45.784′ N, 77° 22.051′ W. Marker is in

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Hanover, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Hanover Courthouse Road (U.S. 301) north of Library Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7496 County Complex Rd, Hanover VA 23069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Hanover Confederate Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanover Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hanover Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanover Tavern

The Fields Family Marker (facing south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 2, 2020

2. The Fields Family Marker (facing south)

Hanover Tavern in the background.

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patrick Henry (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Hanover Tavern (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Hanover Tavern (about 300 feet away); The Colonial River Road (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.

Other markers no longer nearby. Washington-Rochambeau Route (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Hanover Court House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Hanover Tavern (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

The Fields Family Marker (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 2, 2020

3. The Fields Family Marker (facing north)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,338 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.