Near Whitetop in Grayson County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Offset
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 3, 2022
1. The Offset Marker
Inscription.
The Offset. . Just a few hundred feet west of this point is an odd corner in the state line between Tennessee and Virginia, part of an error in the state boundary line that extends a "point" of Tennessee into Virginia for a short distance. The original surveying line was begun far east of here by Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson, in 1749. This line was run west between North Carolina and Virginia, following the line of latitude of 36 degrees, 30 minutes. At that time, the region around Whitetop Station was sparsely populated and the line was discontinued. In 1779, the boundary line was continued, but a discrepancy occurred and a correction was made to bring the boundary to the former line. The land in the area of discrepancy was called the Offset., One local legend says the 1749 survey line diverges from the 36 degrees, 30 minutes because the survey crew heard of a still in the woods and headed north in search of the still, carrying their survey chains with them. After enjoying the fruits of the mountains, they continued running the survey line due west, though about two miles to the north.
Just a few hundred feet west of this point is an odd corner in the state line between Tennessee and Virginia, part of an error in the state boundary line that extends a "point" of Tennessee into Virginia for a short distance. The original surveying line was begun far east of here by Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson, in 1749. This line was run west between North Carolina and Virginia, following the line of latitude of 36 degrees, 30 minutes. At that time, the region around Whitetop Station was sparsely populated and the line was discontinued. In 1779, the boundary line was continued, but a discrepancy occurred and a correction was made to bring the boundary to the former line. The land in the area of discrepancy was called the Offset.
One local legend says the 1749 survey line diverges from the 36 degrees, 30 minutes because the survey crew heard of a still in the woods and headed north in search of the still, carrying their survey chains with them. After enjoying the fruits of the mountains, they continued running the survey line due west, though about two miles to the north.
Erected by Virginia Department
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of Conservation & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1749.
Location. 36° 36.664′ N, 81° 38.71′ W. Marker is near Whitetop, Virginia, in Grayson County. It is on Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail west of Whitegap Road (Virginia Route 726), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Whitetop VA 24292, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Growth Forest Remnants
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,060 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
