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

Wowinchapuncke

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

1. Wowinchapuncke Marker

Inscription. Wowinchapuncke was the chief of the Paspahegh Indians when the English established Jamestown in the tribe’s territory in 1607. He consistently resisted the English intrusion, earning both respect and hostility from Jamestown leaders. Captured and imprisoned at Jamestown, he escaped, and the English retaliated by killing several Paspahegh men. After the English destroyed a Paspahegh town in August 1610 and executed Wowinchapuncke’s wife and children, he continued to harass the English until he was killed in a skirmish near Jamestown in February 1611. In 1991, the archaeological remains of a large Paspahegh community near here were excavated.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-52.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1611.

Location. 37° 15.898′ N, 76° 52.234′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It is on John Tyler Highway (Virginia Route 5) half a mile west of Barretts Ferry Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1350 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Paspahegh (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Piney Grove and E. A. Saunders (approx. 3.9 miles away); Paspahegh Indians (approx. 3.9 miles away); Ospreys (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Bacon's Rebellion (approx. 4.6 miles away); Birds at Greensprings (approx. 4.6 miles away); Wetlands of the Greensprings Greenway (approx. 4.6 miles away); Governor's Land (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Sir William Berkeley (was approx. 4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Bacon's Rebellion (was approx. 4.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Wowinchapuncke Marker (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

2. Wowinchapuncke Marker (facing west)

Wowinchapuncke Marker (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 7, 2010

3. Wowinchapuncke Marker (facing east)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,517 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.