Tappahannock in Essex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ritchie's Birthplace

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 6, 2009

1. Ritchie's Birthplace Marker

Inscription. Here was born Thomas Ritchie, November 5, 1778. In 1804, he established the Richmond Enquirer, which ran until 1877, the most noted of Virginia newspapers. Ritchie was a political leader in Virginia and an editor of national fame. In 1845, he became editor of the Washington Union. He retired in 1851 and died, July 3, 1854.

Erected 1946 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number N-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1896.

Location. 37° 55.73′ N, 76° 51.582′ W. Marker is in Tappahannock, Virginia, in Essex County. It is on Cross Street 0.1 miles north of Prince Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tappahannock VA 22560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

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 walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Clerk's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Essex County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Tappahannock AO-43 (within shouting distance of this marker); Tappahannock Tercentennial Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Debtor's Prison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Essex County Court House (about 300 feet away); 1728 Courthouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tappahannock.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Ritchie. Library of Virginia (Submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. On the Road in Essex County - N-22-Ritchie’s Birthplace. 2019 article from the Essex County Museum and Historical Society in the River Country News. Excerpt:

The following day, about 400 of these patriots rode to Tappahannock and confronted Archibald Ritchie, who wisely backed down and apologized for his initial stance. This event, which was one of the first acts of open rebellion against the British, occurred right here in Tappahannock. The Boston Tea Party was still seven years away. After Ritchie renounced the Stamp Act, he became a fierce supporter of the struggle against British imperialism over the colonies.

(Submitted on September 17, 2020.)

Ritchie's Birthplace Marker on Cross Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 6, 2009

2. Ritchie's Birthplace Marker on Cross Street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,468 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.