Kempsville in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Skirmish at Kemp’s Landing

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 20, 2019

1. Skirmish at Kemp’s Landing Marker

Inscription.
Lord Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, led a detachment of the British 14th Regiment to this area on 15 Nov. 1775 to disrupt militiamen forming in resistance to royal authority. The Princess Anne militia, waiting in a thicket, fired on the British advance guard. Heavy return fire scattered the militia and killed several men. Dunmore’s force, augmented by African American volunteers who had escaped from slavery, took a number of prisoners, including Col. Joseph Hutchings. The emboldened Dunmore issued a proclamation declaring martial law and offering freedom to slaves willing to fight for the king. Many militiamen and others subsequently signed oaths of loyalty to the Crown.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • 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 November 15, 1775.

Location. 36° 49.598′ N, 76° 9.65′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Kempsville. It is on South Witchduck Road (Virginia Route 190) just south of

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Singleton Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5161 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach VA 23464, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically 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 markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willis Augustus Hodges (1815~1890) (a few steps from this marker); Declaration of Independence Victory Dance (within shouting distance of this marker); The Skirmish Of Kempsville (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Tribute to Senator Frank Wagner / Gift of Ownership (about 600 feet away); Princess Anne County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Kempsville (about 700 feet away); Kempes Landing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kempsville Pony-Colt Field (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 20, 2019

2. Skirmish at Kemp’s Landing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,543 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on March 31, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.