Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Historic James and its Tributaries
— Historic Fort Boykin —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 5, 2024
1. The Historic James and its Tributaries Marker
Inscription.
The Historic James and its Tributaries. . This stretch of the James River and its tributaries is a prime example of an historic cultural landscape showing the intersection between people and nature. The rivers were home to American Indians long before the arrival of Europeans. This area served as the cradle of the first successful English settlement in North America, as the place of initial long-term interactions between American Indians and English, and as the center point for Captain John Smith's explorations of the Chesapeake Bay. The rivers continue to play an important role in our nation by showcasing historic sites in a riverine environment to be enjoyed by all who visit., The Rocks , The fort is located on land originally patented to Edward Bennett in 1621. Along with other sites, Bennett's Plantation, or Bennett's Welcome, was described as a "verie fruitful and pleasant" seat. By 1863, the land was known as The Rocks, referring to the great rocks along the shoreline., (captions) , Between the shore and river channel in this area were hundreds of acres of natural oyster rocks as illustrated in this 1892 map. (Courtesy of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey Historical Map and Chart Collection), A c.1861 map illustrates the fertile land around the fort. (Courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division)
This stretch of the James River and its tributaries is a prime example of an historic cultural landscape showing the intersection between people and nature. The rivers were home to American Indians long before the arrival of Europeans. This area served as the cradle of the first successful English settlement in North America, as the place of initial long-term
interactions between American Indians and English, and as the center point for Captain John Smith's explorations of the Chesapeake Bay. The rivers continue to play an important role in our nation by showcasing historic sites in a riverine environment to be enjoyed by all who visit.
The Rocks
The fort is located on land originally patented to Edward Bennett in 1621. Along with other sites, Bennett's Plantation, or Bennett's Welcome, was described as a "verie fruitful and
pleasant" seat. By 1863, the land was known as The Rocks, referring to the great rocks along the shoreline.
(captions)
Between the shore and river channel in this area were hundreds of acres of natural oyster rocks as illustrated in this 1892 map. (Courtesy of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey Historical Map & Chart Collection)
A c.1861 map illustrates the fertile land around the fort. (Courtesy of Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division)
Location. 37° 2.101′ N, 76° 37.195′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Virginia, in Isle of Wight County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Fort Boykin Trail (Virginia Route 705) and Morgarts Beach Road (Virginia Route 673), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7410 Fort Boykin Trail, Smithfield VA 23430, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.