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

Stingray Point

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 16, 2010

1. Stingray Point Marker

Inscription. Capt. John Smith led two exploratory voyages in Chesapeake Bay during the summer of 1608. His boat ran aground at the mouth of the Rappahannock River three miles east, on 17 July. While awaiting high tide to float the vessel, he and his men impaled fish with their swords and Smith speared a cow-nose ray that sank its tail spine into his wrist as he tried to remove it. The toxin swelled Smith's arm, shoulder and chest but surgeon Walter Russell applied soothing oil and by evening Smith was well enough to eat the ray for supper. He named the place Stingray Point.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number N-76.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.

Location. 37° 33.267′ N, 76° 20.418′ W. Marker is in Deltaville, Virginia, in Middlesex County. It is on General Fuller Highway (Virginia Route 33) east of Jackson Farm Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deltaville VA 23043, 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

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distance of this marker: Stingray Point Contraband (a few steps from this marker); F.D. Crockett (approx. ¾ mile away); Captain John Smith’s Shallop (approx. 0.8 miles away); Explorer (approx. 0.9 miles away); Deltaville Dollies (approx. 0.9 miles away); Marine Railway (approx. 0.9 miles away); Boarding Cutter (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oyster Tongs (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deltaville.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,539 times since then and 34 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 17, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A picture of Stingray Point • Can you help?