Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Revolutionary War at Portsmouth

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

1. Revolutionary War at Portsmouth Marker

Inscription. In October 1775, Virginia’s last royal governor, the Earl of Dunmore, made his headquarters at Gosport, one mile south of here. After his defeat at Great Bridge and the destruction of Norfolk, he entrenched at Hospital Point, one mile north, but was again driven out in May 1776. Portsmouth was again invaded by the British: Sir George Collier in 1779, General Leslie in 1780, the traitor Benedict Arnold and General Phillips in 1781. Here, on this Portsmouth waterfront in August 1781. Lord Cornwallis embarked his 7000 troops and sailed to Yorktown where he surrendered to the victorious American and French forces, 19 October 1781.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1775.

Location. 36° 50.151′ N, 76° 17.812′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is at the intersection of Water Street and High Street, on the right when traveling north on Water Street. Beside the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 High Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, 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: Naval Shipyard Museum (a few steps from this marker); Cornwallis' Embarkation (a few steps from this marker); John Luke Porter (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Home Site of William Crawford (d. 1762) Founder of Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Seaboard Air Line Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 4 Pounder Cannon (about 300 feet away); Gosport Shipyard (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 11, 2014

2. Revolutionary War at Portsmouth Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,077 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.