Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Capt. John Woodliffe
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
1. Capt. John Woodliffe Marker
At Jamestown 1608
First Governor of Berkeley
Hundred Plantation 1619
Capt. John Woodliffe and 38 settlers
in the Ship "Margaret" landed here
December 4, 1619
First Official Thanksgiving Day
Service in America held here by
Capt. Woodliffe and these settlers
Proclamation
Impr wee ordaine that the day of our
ships arrivall at the place assigned
for plantacon in the land of Virginia
shall be yearly and perputualy
keept Holy as a day of Thanksgiving
to Almighty God
Erected by his descendants
The Woodlief-Woodliff Family
Nov. 22, 1956
Erected 1956 by The Woodlief-Woodliff Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 4, 1619.
Location. 37° 18.816′ N, 77° 10.818′ W. Marker is in Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. It can be reached from Harrison Landing Road 0.9 miles south of Westover Road (Virginia Route 633), on the right when traveling south. Marker can be reached by taking left path behind Berkeley Plantation to the James River.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia. 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: Shipyard of the Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Harrison (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Willie Johnston (about 600 feet away); Origin of Taps (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Benjamin Harrison (about 600 feet away); Signer Monument (about 700 feet away); Instructions Given (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commemorating the 350th Anniversary at Berkeley Hundred (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
2. Pavilion Closeup
Markers located inside (see yellow arrows)
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
3. Capt. John Woodliffe Marker
Marker located in pavilion on inside right
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
4. Capt. John Woodliffe First Thanksgiving Mural
Located inside of pavilion on left.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
5. The First Thanksgiving Mural Text
Text related to the First Thanksgiving
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
6. James River
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
7. James River
James River located short distance past the marker pavilion
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
8. Proprietors of Berkley Hundred Instruction Marker
Click photo to read text
This marker has more information related to John Woodleefe, first Captain and Governor of Berkley.
(Note: spelling variations to his name)
This marker has more information related to John Woodleefe, first Captain and Governor of Berkley.
(Note: spelling variations to his name)
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
9. Proprietors of Berkley Hundred Instruction Marker (wide)
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 23, 2010
10. Proprietors of Berkley Hundred Instruction Marker (Distance)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,907 times since then and 200 times this year. Last updated on November 2, 2022, by James Dean of Chesterfield, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 13, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
