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

James Lafayette

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

1. James Lafayette Marker

Inscription. James Lafayette was born in slavery about 1748 near here. His master William Armistead was commissary of military supplies when in the summer of 1781 the Marquis de Lafayette recruited James as a spy. Posing as a double agent, forager, and servant at British headquarters, James moved freely between the lines with vital information on British troop movements for Lafayette. The Virginia General Assembly freed James in 1787 in recognition of his bravery and service, on the written recommendation of Lafayette, whose name he took for his own. He died in Baltimore on 9 Aug. 1830.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WO-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1830.

Location. 37° 31.069′ N, 76° 58.7′ W. Marker is in New Kent, Virginia, in New Kent County. It can be reached from the intersection of New Kent Highway and Courthouse Circle. The marker is located on the lawn in front of the New Kent County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Kent VA 23124, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula

and in Coastal Virginia.

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: A different marker also named James Lafayette (here, next to this marker); Confederate Memorial (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named New Kent Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Samuel Wilson Crump (1919-1995) (a few steps from this marker); Martha Washington's Birthplace (a few steps from this marker); John Parke Custis / Martha Dandridge (a few steps from this marker); New Kent Ordinary (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to New Kent (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Kent.

Another marker is no longer nearby. New Kent Courthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. James Lafayette. Encyclopedia Virginia (Submitted on April 7, 2009.)

2. James Armistead Lafayette. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on November 10, 2021.)

3. James Armistead Lafayette. Wikipedia (Submitted on November 10, 2021.)

James Lafayette Marker at New Kent County Courthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

2. James Lafayette Marker at New Kent County Courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,374 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.