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

Cornwallis at Portsmouth

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

1. Cornwallis at Portsmouth Marker

Inscription. Lord Cornwallis, commanding the British troops in the south, reached Portsmouth, July, 1781. He prepared to send a portion of his force to New York. Before the movement was made, orders came for him to take up a position at Old Point. Cornwallis selected Yorktown, however, and Portsmouth was abandoned.

Erected 1948 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number Q-8F.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 36° 50.416′ N, 76° 18.091′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Crawford Parkway west of Court Street, on the left when traveling west. 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: Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (here, next to this marker); Olde Towne Portsmouth (a few steps from this marker); Fort Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); Crawford Bay (within shouting distance of this marker); Craney Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Watts House

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(about 700 feet away); The Yellow Fever of 1855 (about 700 feet away); Gaskins Silversmith Shop (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Other markers no longer nearby. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Elizabeth River (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Portsmouth Naval Hospital (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Cornwallis at Portsmouth Marker (on right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

2. Cornwallis at Portsmouth Marker (on right)

Arnold's British Defenses marker on left

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,319 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.