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

Captain John Smith’s Adventures on the James

Chippokes Plantation State Park

— James River beach —

John Smith’s Adventures on the James Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

1. John Smith’s Adventures on the James Marker

Inscription. Prior to unloading at Jamestown, the English sailed the James in search of a suitable location. In his account, George Perch recalls crossing to the southern shore on May 5, 1607 at the invitation of a chief he misidentifies as the "Werowance of Rapahanna." In fact, the expedition visited a Quiyoughcohannock village that appears on John Smith’s 1612 map. Percy described the Quiyoughcohannock chief, or werowance, “playing on a Flute made of Reed…with two long Feathers in fashion of a paire of Hornes placed in the midst of his Crowne. His body was painted all with Crimson, with a Chaine of Beads about his necke, his face painted blew…and in either eare a Birds Claw.”

Percy also admired the man’s demeanor: “he entertained us in so modest a proud fashion, as though he had beene a Prince of civill government, holding his countenance without laughter or any such ill behaviour.” It is possible that this chief was the same Chippoke who befriended the colonists and according to Smith, “did always at our greatest need supply us with victuals of sorts, which he did notwithstanding the continual wars which we had in the rest of

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the country; and upon his deathbed charged his people that they should forever keep good quiet with the English.”

(sidebar)
Shells as Thick as Stones
Fossils in the sandy cliffs at Chippokes Plantation reveal that shellfish have thrived in the Chesapeake Bay for millions of years. For Algonquians living along the lower James River, oysters and mussels were high-protein dietary staple. Virginia Indians also crafted jewelry of pearls and made razors from oyster shells. George Percy recalled that when exploring the Elizabeth River on April 28, 1607, “We got good store of Mussels and Oysters, which lay on the ground as thicke as stones: wee opened some, and found in many of them Pearles.” The once abundant oyster reefs not only supply food but also contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. By filtering sediment from water, oysters improve the habitat for underwater grasses and fish.

(caption)
Capt. John Smith’s Trail
John Smith knew the James River by its Algonquian name: Powhatan, the same as the region’s paramount chief. Smith traveled the river many times between 1607 and 1609, trading with Virginia Indians to ensure

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

2. John Smith’s Adventures on the James Marker

This marker is the marker on the left. The marker on the right was not legible.

survival at Jamestown. What he saw of Virginia’s verdant woodlands and pristine waters inspired him to explore the greater Chesapeake Bay, chronicling its natural wonders.

Capt. John Smith’s Trail on the James is a 40-site water trail and auto tour for modern explorers.

Erected by Captain John Smith’s Trail, James River Association, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 5, 1607.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 37° 8.765′ N, 76° 44.304′ W. Marker was in Surry, Virginia, in Surry County. It could be reached from the intersection of Chippokes Park Road (Virginia Route 665) and Plantation Road ( Route 783), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in Chippokes Plantation State Park near the Farm Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 695 Chippokes Park Road, Surry VA 23883,

Chippokes Plantation Farm Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

3. Chippokes Plantation Farm Museum

United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Coastal Virginia

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Working the Land (here, next to this marker); A Deep History (here, next to this marker); Community Life (a few steps from this marker); Eastern Virginia Indians (a few steps from this marker); Chippokes Plantation (approx. 0.7 miles away); The River House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Steam: The Great Connector (approx. ¾ mile away); A History of Silence (approx.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

4. Chippokes Plantation Farm Museum

0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surry.

Also see . . .
1. Captain John Smith’s Trail. (Submitted on September 27, 2016.)
2. Chippokes Plantation State Park. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website entry (Submitted on September 27, 2016.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

5. Chippokes Plantation Farm Museum

Chippokes Plantation State Park banner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

6. Chippokes Plantation State Park banner

Eastern Virginia Indians Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 18, 2024

7. Eastern Virginia Indians Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,072 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 7. submitted on December 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.