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

Home Site of William Crawford (d. 1762) Founder of Portsmouth

Home Site of William Crawford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

1. Home Site of William Crawford Marker

Inscription. Here stood the residence of William Crawford who in 1752 founded the town of Portsmouth on sixty-five acres of his extensive plantation lands. The house site extended south on Crawford Street 113 feet, and east on High Street to the Elizabeth River. Crawford was presiding Justice of the Norfolk Cy. Court, Lt.-Colonel of the County Militia, a wealthy merchant and planter.

Erected 1975 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number Q–8-r.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1752.

Location. 36° 50.124′ N, 76° 17.849′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on High Street east of Crawford Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: John Luke Porter (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. William Craford (within shouting distance of this marker); Commemorating the Visit of Lafayette (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Naval Shipyard Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Seaboard Air Line Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War at Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornwallis' Embarkation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crawford House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

More about this marker. This Marker sits with Q-8s

Both Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

2. Both Markers

Col. William Craford Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

3. Col. William Craford Statue

William Craford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

4. William Craford

Col. William Craford founder of Portsmouth, Virginia February 27, 1752. Today, known as Col. William Crawford.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,408 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.