Near Williamsburg in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Vineyard Tract

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

1. Vineyard Tract Marker

Inscription. The Virginia General Assembly in 1769 appropriated public funds to purchase a tract of land for the cultivation of grapes and production of wine. Frenchman Andrew Estave managed the vineyard, just north of here. Three enslaved African Americans, purchased at public expense, and three bound apprentices worked on the land. At least five slaves ran away from the property early in the 1770s. The vineyard failed by 1776. Virginia established a hospital for Revolutionary War soldiers on the site in 1777. The land was later given to the College of William and Mary, which sold it in 1791.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Science & Medicine • 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 1769.

Location. 37° 15.915′ N, 76° 40.037′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in York County. It is on Penniman Road (County Road 641) 0.1 miles west of Queens Creek Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1012 Penniman Rd, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Magruder (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Magruder (about 500 feet away); Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument (about 600 feet away); Battle of Williamsburg (approx. half a mile away); Quarterpath Road (approx. 0.6 miles away); Peninsula Campaign (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Jersey Boys (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Williamsburg (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Vineyard Tract (has been replaced with this marker); Magruder’s Defenses (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

2. Vineyard Tract Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 759 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.