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Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Pvt. Michael Widener

Continental Army — Virginia Militia

— Revolutionary War —

 
 
Pvt. Michael Widener Marker image. Click for more information.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2022
1. Pvt. Michael Widener Marker
Inscription. Michael Widener (1758-1843) immigrated to America from Germany a few years before the American Revolution and served in the Virginia Militia and the Continental Army during the Revolution. He first saw service under the command of Captain Abraham Lincoln (grandfather of President Lincoln) and later served under the command of General George Washington. He was with Washington during the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. Washington fondly referred to him as "Mikey". Michael and his family were among the first settlers in what is now known as Wideners Valley in Washington County, Va., where he is buried.

Flame Thrower
Redbud

Cercis Canadensis
The Redbud is native to eastern North America and is a favorite in landscaping, growing up to 20' tall. It is the state tree of Oklahoma. This Flame Thrower variety displays up to five colors (burgundy, red, orange, yellow, lime-green) of foliage on each branch.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & ForestryImmigrationSettlements & SettlersWar, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.
 
Location. 36° 42.271′ 
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N, 81° 58.518′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It can be reached from Lieutenant Billy Webb Avenue 0.1 miles north of Cook Street. Marker is located in Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 Lieutenant Billy Webb Avenue, Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area, in Southwest Virginia, and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Spirit of 1776 (a few steps from this marker); Purple Heart (a few steps from this marker); Overmountain Men (a few steps from this marker); Lewis & Clark Expedition (a few steps from this marker); War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Star-Spangled Banner (a few steps from this marker); Liberty-Peace Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.-Mexican War (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.
 
Also see . . .  Michael Widener. Find A Grave website entry:
Pleasant View Cemetery, Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia, USA (Submitted on November 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 
 
Pvt. Michael Widener Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2022
2. Pvt. Michael Widener Marker
(looking west through Veterans Memorial Park)
Pvt. Michael Widener Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Phillip H Widener Powers, August 12, 2000
3. Pvt. Michael Widener Marker
Grave Re-dedication ceremony.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,317 times since then and 138 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.   3. submitted on May 27, 2026, by Phillip H Widener Powers of Winston Salem, North Carolina.
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Jul. 4, 2026