Spanish Town in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, British Overseas Territories

Plantation Era Burial Ground

Photographed by James Hulse, February 7, 2025

1. Plantation Era Burial Ground Marker

Inscription. At the St. Thomas Bay Jetty in Virgin Gorda here is the historical area that thousands of visitors and locals quickly pass by on a daily basis. Between the white sandy beach and the parking lot there lies a small plot of land which seems somewhat out of place, as it seems undisturbed and untouched. The area is a plantation-era burial ground which dates back to the 1600s. Most of the graves are covered in dirt waiting to be revealed. At first glance there are two triangular shaped brick-like structures which can be seen resting in the ground. Some years ago, the Virgin Gorda Garden Club while cleaning around this site during a beautification project, unearthed a large tombstone measuring approximately 4 feet by 3 feet, with the name and dates clearly visible. It is believed that this site may have been a burial site for European planters around the 1600s. The site was believed to extend further north and south of what now exists.

Historical records indicate that the island of Virgin Gorda was settled around 1690 by settlers from St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. Quite a few were said to be Quakers. Today there remain similarities

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between Anguilla and Virgin Gorda including: the accent, and surnames like Harrigan, George, Vanterpool and Hodge. Both islands' main towns are called the Valley.

In the 1600's the very first capital of these Virgin Islands was located in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda and was later relocated to Fat Hogs Bay, Tortola by Governor Pickering. Currently, the city is located in Road Town, Tortola.

This project is a collaboration between the the BVI Tourist Board and the Department of Culture.

Erected by BVI Tourist Board and the Department of Culture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1690.

Location. 18° 27.155′ N, 64° 26.199′ W. Marker is in Spanish Town, British Virgin Islands, in Virgin Gorda. It is at the intersection of Little Road and Virgin Gorda Ferry Docks, on the right when traveling south on Little Road. The marker is located along the road at the docks. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles

on the Caribbean Sea,

on in the Atlantic Ocean,

in North America,

The Burial Ground and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 7, 2025

2. The Burial Ground and Marker

and in the Anglosphere.

The view of the Plantation Era Burial Ground and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 7, 2025

3. The view of the Plantation Era Burial Ground and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.