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

John Rolfe

1585-1622

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009

1. John Rolfe Marker

Inscription. John Rolfe emigrated from England to Virginia in 1610 and settled in what was to become Henrico County. In 1612 he imported tobacco seeds from Trinidad and cultivated a new strain of mild tobacco. He shipped part of his harvest to England in 1614, and by 1619 tobacco had become Virginia's major money crop. In 1614 Rolfe married Pocahontas, a daughter of Chief Powhatan, and they had one son, Thomas. Rolfe and his family sailed in 1616 to England where Pocahontas died in 1617. Rolfe returned to Virginia, where he died in 1622.

Erected 1996 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1610.

Location. 37° 28.566′ N, 77° 22.512′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is on Messer Road 0.1 miles north of Library Road, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located in front of John Rolfe Middle School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6901 Messer Road, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Galaxy (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chatsworth School (approx. one mile away); Richmond Defences (approx. 1.2 miles away); Advancing On Richmond (approx. 1.2 miles away); Wilton (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fort Gilmer (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fort Harrison (approx. 1½ miles away); First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop (approx. 1.6 miles away).

Messer Road (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009

2. Messer Road (facing north)

Messer Road (facing south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009

3. Messer Road (facing south)

The wedding of Pocahontas with John Rolfe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Geo Spohni, circa 1867

4. The wedding of Pocahontas with John Rolfe

Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-5258]

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,564 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.