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

Early English Exploration

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, August 4, 2007

1. Early English Exploration Marker

Inscription. In 1650 Fort Henry, now Petersburg, marked the western and southern extent of English settlement in, and knowledge of, Virginia. On 27 Aug. 1650, Edward Bland, merchant and land speculator, and Abraham Wood, frontier militia commander, left Fort Henry on the first documented English exploration of Southside Virginia. Pyancha, an Appamattuck guide, led Bland, Wood, and four others through the territory of the Nottoway, Meherrin, and Hocomawanck Indians for nine days. They probably reached the falls of the Roanoke River near Weldon, N.C., before returning to Fort Henry. This was the first of a series of explorations that departed from Fort Henry under Abraham Wood’s auspices.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-76.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1650.

Location. 37° 13.988′ N, 77° 24.289′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of North Sycamore

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Street and West Old Street (Virginia Route 36), on the right when traveling north on North Sycamore Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: Lt. Col. Howard Baugh, Tuskegee Airman (within shouting distance of this marker); Petersburg Region (within shouting distance of this marker); Petersburg Museums (within shouting distance of this marker); City Sights (within shouting distance of this marker); Pamplin Historical Park (within shouting distance of this marker); African-Americans in Petersburg (within shouting distance of this marker);

Marker on the corner of N Sycamore & Old Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, August 4, 2007

2. Marker on the corner of N Sycamore & Old Streets

The Revolutionary War in Petersburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Touring Old Towne (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,807 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.