Near Nokomis in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

British Raids on the Coan River

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

1. British Raids on the Coan River Marker

Inscription. During the War of 1812, on 7 Aug. 1814 ten British ships and smaller vessels appeared on the Coan River, which flows into the Potomac. The invaders sent three barges to capture three American schooners situated within two miles of Northumberland Court House. The Lancaster County militia repulsed the attack until British reinforcements arrived. Before leaving, the British seized the schooners and destroyed property at Northumberland Court House. On 4 Oct. 1814, two British detachments of 3,000 infantry invaded Northumberland County from the Coan River. After initially resisting, the outnumbered militia retreated. The British captured ammunition, arms, and personal property before debarking.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number JT-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 7, 1814.

Location. 37° 56.154′ N, 76° 30.141′ W. Marker is near Nokomis, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It is at the intersection of Northumberland Highway (U.S. 360) and Forrest Landing Road (County Route 612), on the right when traveling west on

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Northumberland Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Heathsville VA 22473, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Coan Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); John Heath (approx. 1.6 miles away); St. Stephen’s Parish (approx. 1.9 miles away); Northumberland County Jail (approx. 2 miles away); Rice’s Hotel (approx. 2.1 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Freedom for Slaves of Robert Carter III (approx. 2.1 miles away); Korean and Vietnam Wars Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away).

More about this marker. It appears the last word of the inscription should read “embarking” rather than “debarking.”

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

2. British Raids on the Coan River Marker

Photographed by 2, October 26, 2020

3. British Raids on the Coan River Marker

(Facing southeast towards marker, which is partially obscured by bushes.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,667 times since then and 190 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 27, 2020.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the Coan River • Can you help?