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

Debtors Prison

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

1. Debtors Prison Marker

Inscription. Built in 1783 in one corner of the jailyard to serve as a residence for the jailer, the building served in this capacity for 41 years. Iron bars, oak batten doors and locks were added in 1842 when it was converted into a prison for debtors in Accomack County.

Erected 1971 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number WY-19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.

Location. 37° 43.25′ N, 75° 40.242′ W. Marker is in Accomac, Virginia, in Accomack County. Marker is on Courthouse Ave. (County Route 764) 0.1 miles north of Front Street (Alternate U.S. 13), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Accomac VA 23301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Accomac Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Accomack County Virginia World War II, Korea & Vietnam (about 500 feet away); Accomack County Virginia World War I (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of Governor Wise (about 600 feet away);

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Makemie Statue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elijah Baker (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary Nottingham Smith High School (approx. half a mile away); Onancock (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Accomac.

Debtors Prison Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

2. Debtors Prison Building

Virginia Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

3. Virginia Historic Landmark

Oak Door of Prison image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

4. Oak Door of Prison

Note original hinges and lock.

Debtors Prison and Marker, along Courthouse Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

5. Debtors Prison and Marker, along Courthouse Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,482 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on December 18, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5. submitted on October 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.