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

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell

Born July 10, 1749 • Died March 18, 1825

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

1. Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell Marker

Inscription. Elizabeth was the daughter of John & Sarah Henry and sister of Founding Father Patrick Henry. In 1776 Elizabeth married Revolutionary War General William Campbell & they settled in Aspenvale. After Campbell's death in 1781, she remarried General William Russell in 1783. In 1788 William Russell and Elizabeth moved to Saltville, where they converted to Methodism. After Russell's death in 1793, Elizabeth began to support her new denomination in the region, and so she is known as the "Mother of Methodism."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 36° 48.881′ N, 81° 38.419′ W. Marker is near Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. It can be reached from Seven Mile Ford Road (State Road 642) west of Spring Branch Road, on the right when traveling west. From Seven Mile Ford Road, take the gravel road approximately 0.1 mile north. The cemetery is on the right. Russell's gravestone is near the center of the cemetery, straight back from the west gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 7 Mile Ford Rd, Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Aspenvale Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Fight Like Devils! (a few steps from this marker); Campbell's Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Campbell’s Grave (approx. 0.3 miles away); Seven Mile Ford (approx. 0.9 miles away); Chilhowie Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Transportation Through the Ages (approx. 2.6 miles away); Chilhowie (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Rear view of Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

2. Rear view of Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell gravestone

Revolutionary War Patriot marker placed above the head stone. General William Campbell gravesite (her first husband) is past the foot of her plot.

Madam Russell Methodist Church, Saltville. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

3. Madam Russell Methodist Church, Saltville.

Named for the "Mother of Methodism". Russell played a large role in the spread of the Methodist Church in SW Virginia and East Tennessee.

Madam Russell House (replica) 1788-1908 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

4. Madam Russell House (replica) 1788-1908

Located at Madam Russell United Methodist Church in Saltville, VA

Aspenvale Cemetery sign on Seven Mile Ford Rd. looking toward Spring Branch Rd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

5. Aspenvale Cemetery sign on Seven Mile Ford Rd. looking toward Spring Branch Rd.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 435 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 5. submitted on October 9, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.