University in Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mary Draper Ingels

Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

1. Mary Draper Ingels Marker

Inscription. On 30 July 1755, during the French and Indian War, Shawnee Indians attacked the Draper's Meadow settlement nearby. They killed Col. James Patton, Casper Berger, Mrs. George Draper, and a Draper child, wounded James Cull, and captured Mary Draper Ingels, her two sons, Mrs. John Draper, and Henry Leonard. The Indians took their captives to Ohio. After several months, Ingels escaped and wandered some 800 miles to return home, a legendary feat. She and her husband, William, moved near Radford and operated a New River ferry. She died and was buried there in 1815, aged 83.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KG-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian • Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1755.

Location. 37° 13.68′ N, 80° 25.62′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is in University. It is on Duckpond Drive near W Campus Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg VA 24061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia,

in the Blue Ridge Highlands,

and in the New River Gorge.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas Marshall Hahn Jr. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paul Neyron Derring (about 500 feet away); Frank Leigh Robeson (about 600 feet away); Enslaved People and the Prestons / From Plantation to College Campus (about 700 feet away); Solitude (about 700 feet away); Robert James Davidson (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Edward Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Burke Johnston (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

2. Mary Draper Ingels Marker

View from the side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, February 16, 2009

3. View from the side

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,403 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.