Near Franklin in Southampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

South Quay

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

1. South Quay Marker

Inscription. Nearby along the eastern bank of the Blackwater River once existed the community of South Quay, also sometimes called South Key, Old Quay, or Old South Quay. Founded by 1657, South Quay by 1701 had become the site of a landing and trading post. A customs house for international trade had been built at South Quay by 1776. During the Revolutionary War, supplies from overseas arrived there for the colonial army and at least two ships were built there. South Quay was destroyed by fire by British troops on 16 July 1781. The port was rebuilt, but its prominence diminished by the end of the 18th century, and eventually the community disappeared.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number US-6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • 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 July 16, 1781.

Location. 36° 37.155′ N, 76° 54.69′ W. Marker is near Franklin, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on South Quay Road (Virginia Route 189) half a mile east of Bethany School Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin VA 23851, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named William Mahone's Birthplace (approx. 2½ miles away); Della Irving Hayden (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Blackwater Line (approx. 3.8 miles away); Battle of Franklin (approx. 3.8 miles away); Confederate Commissary Center (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Barretts: A Franklin Pioneer Family (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Age of Steam (approx. 3.8 miles away); "Can't Is Not in the Camp's Vocabulary" (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Another marker is no longer nearby. William Mahone's Birthplace (was approx. 2½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

South Quay Marker on the east bank of the Blackwater River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

2. South Quay Marker on the east bank of the Blackwater River

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,873 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.