Merchant Park in Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Prince William Resolves

Precursors to Independence

— Road to Revolution / Virginia is for History Lovers —

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, June 8, 2024

1. Prince William Resolves - Precursors to Independence Marker

Inscription. One of the first resolves in Virginia was passed here in Dumfries, the Prince William County seat, on June 6, 1774. Six months earlier, the events of the Boston Tea Party took place, and the British Parliament closed the port of Boston. Angry American colonists considered this an overaction by a distant government. Virginia's colonial representatives in the House of Burgesses planned to support the people of Boston. Before they could act, the colonial governor Earl of Dunmore dissolved the legislative body.

Angered by the governor's actions, many local communities were determined to publicly voice their displeasure. Dumfries was one of those communities. Residents and merchants of the community met here and passed six resolves in support of Boston and an economic boycott of British goods. Published in numerous newspapers, the Prince William Resolves were one of the first acts in Virginia against British rule. It would not be the last.

(captions)
Demolished in the 19th century, this historic sketch shows what the Dumfries Courthouse likely looked like in the 1770s. Dumfries was the most important town in colonial Prince William County, serving as both a major port and local government center. Courtesy Historic Dumfries, VA Inc.

Born in Woodbridge, Virginia, William Grayson served

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

as a member of the committee that drafted the Prince William Resolves. During the Revolutionary War he served in the Continental army and was the first United States Senator elected from Virginia. He died in 1790. Courtesy Virginia Museum of History & Culture

Prince William Resolves published in the June 16, 1774 edition of the Virginia Gazette. Courtesy Colonial Williamsburg

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1774.

Location. 38° 34.094′ N, 77° 19.789′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is in Merchant Park. It is on Cameron Street west of Duke Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in Merchant Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3944 Cameron St, Dumfries VA 22026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: William Grayson Bandstand Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Weems-Botts House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mason Locke Weems and George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Weems-Botts House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumfries Methodist Church Bell

Prince William Resolves Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., March 10, 2025

2. Prince William Resolves Marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Prince William County Court House (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Prince William Resolves (about 600 feet away); Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dumfries.

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, June 8, 2024

3. Prince William Resolves Marker

Marker is located to the left of the rail fence beyond the Road to Revolution Heritage Trail sign.

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, June 8, 2024

4. Prince William Resolves Marker

Marker is located at Merchant Park, Dumfries, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2024, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2024, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 10, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2024, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.