Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Indian School at the College of William & Mary

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 19, 2009

1. Indian School at the College of William & Mary Marker

Inscription. Using funds from the estate of British scientist Robert Boyle, the College of William & Mary established a school to educate young Indian men in 1697, just four years after the college’s founding. To encourage enrollment, in 1711 Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood began remitting tributes for area tribes who sent students. Students from tribes outside Virginia also enrolled. The Brafferton was constructed in 1723 to house the school, which provided education in reading and writing English, arithmetic and religion. The American Revolution caused British financial support to cease in 1776, and soon the school closed.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-229.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1697.

Location. 37° 16.208′ N, 76° 42.506′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is on Jamestown Road (Virginia Route 5) 0.2 miles east of Landrum Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Norborne Berkeley, Baron de Botetourt (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Christopher Wren Building (within shouting distance of this marker); In Gallia Nati Mortui in Virginia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Christopher Wren Building (about 300 feet away); Priorities of the College of William and Mary (about 300 feet away); Alumni of the College of William and Mary (about 300 feet away); The College of William and Mary in Virginia (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Also see . . . College of William & Mary. (Submitted on November 14, 2021.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 19, 2009

2. Indian School at the College of William & Mary Marker

The Brafferton, built in 1723 to house the Indian School. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2009

3. The Brafferton, built in 1723 to house the Indian School.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,065 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.