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

Ruthville

Charles City County, Virginia

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

1. Ruthville Marker

Inscription. This area was one of the centers of Charles City's free black community before the Civil War and was named for Ruth Brown with the establishment of the post office in 1880. Abraham Brown, a major landowner of the area, founded Elam Church in 1810, one of the oldest regularly organized black Baptist churches in Virginia. His son, Reverend Samuel Brown was a prominent local minister. Following the Civil War local residents established a cooperative store, the Mercantile Cooperative Company, and two schools, Bull Field Academy (1881-1911) and the Ruthville Training Center (1911-30). A.Q. Franklin who served in the House of Delegates (1889-91) and W.S. Brown, first black member of the Board of Supervisors (1891-1904) were local residents. Dr. C.S. Franklin, a renowned dermatologist, resided at Cedar Grove. The area was formerly known as Vaidens Crossroads and included Vaidens Store and Boss Ferguson's Northwood Academy.

Erected by Charles City County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 22.027′ N,

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77° 2.55′ W. Marker is near Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. It is on The Glebe Lane (Virginia Route 615) 0.1 miles west of Ruthville Road ( Route 612), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 as the crow flies: Dedicated To Learning (within shouting distance of this marker); Lott Cary Birthplace (approx. 1.8 miles away); Blanks Crossroads (approx. 2.1 miles away); North Bend (approx. 2.2 miles away); Upper Weyanoke

Ruthville Marker on The Glebe Lane image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

2. Ruthville Marker on The Glebe Lane

(approx. 2.2 miles away); Weyanoke & Parrish Hill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Kittiewan and Doctor Rickman (approx. 2.2 miles away); Charles City Court House (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. New Hope & Court House (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Elam Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

3. Elam Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,177 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.