Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Elijah Baker

Pioneer Baptist of the Eastern Shore of Virginia

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2023

1. Elijah Baker Marker

Inscription. who landed at Hunt's Point, Old Plantation Creek, on Easter Sunday 1776 and the same day preached the first Baptist sermon, “At the End of a Horsing Tree.” Opposition of the established church caused him to be deported; but kind Providence brought him back. He was later imprisoned 56 days in the Old Debtors' Jail at Accomac for the crime of preaching the Gospel. (Acts: IV; 19, 20)

In gratitude for the rich heritage that is ours because of his suffering and imprisonment, this memorial is erected by the churches of the Accomac Baptist Association, April 4, 1926.

Erected 1926 by Accomac Baptist Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 7, 1776.

Location. 37° 14.784′ N, 75° 58.346′ W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. Marker is on Charles M Lankford Junior Memorial Highway (U.S. 13) 0.1 miles south of Jacobia Lane (County Road 682), on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the left side of the Lower Northampton Baptist Church entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24280 Charles M Lankford Junior Memorial Highway, Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Elijah Baker (within shouting distance of this marker); Mansion Site (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bacon's Rebellion (approx. 2.1 miles away); Indians (approx. 2.1 miles away); Slavery on the Eastern Shore (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Custis Tombs (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cape Charles Colored School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Cape Charles (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.

More about this marker. An identical marker is located on the Drummondtown Baptist Church grounds in Accomac, Virginia.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Elijah Baker

Also see . . . When Accomac, Va. Put the Baptist in Jail, 1778.

A friend from the Eastern Shore invited Baker to sail over and spread some Good News on this side of the Chesapeake Bay. He arrived on Easter Sunday in the momentous year of 1776. By that point, the religious revolution known as the First Great Awakening had already rolled through other colonies. Here in Virginia, however, the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist faiths were still mostly unknown — and decidedly unwelcome.

(Submitted on May 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Lower Northampton Baptist Church (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2023

2. Lower Northampton Baptist Church (southeast elevation)

(marker is mounted on left side of church entrance)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.