Hampton Roads Center , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Syms Free School

Photographed by Will Hrachovina, February 23, 2025

1. Syms Free School Marker

Inscription. Benjamin Syms, who had settled in Virginia by 1625, endowed the first free school in the colony by his will of 1635. Syms, himself illiterate, left 200 acres of land and eight milk cows to generate income for a teacher's salary, construction and maintenance of a school, and the support of poor children and disabled persons in the community. The school had opened by 1649 near here on property that later became part of Joint Base Langley-Eustis. In 1805 the Syms Free School was combined with the nearby Eaton Charity School, which Thomas Eaton had endowed in 1659: proceeds from the sale of their land were used to establish Hampton Academy.

Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W 176.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1649.

Location. 37° 5.146′ N, 76° 22.915′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Hampton Roads Center. It is at the intersection of Commander Shepard Boulevard (Virginia Route 172) and Langley Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on

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Commander Shepard Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hampton VA 23666, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula

and 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: Chesterville Plantation (here, next to this marker); National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (a few steps from this marker); Langley Speedway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Footeball Quarter Creek Plantation (approx. 2.4 miles away); Henry Lawson Wyatt (approx. 2.4 miles away); Battle of Big Bethel (approx. 2½ miles away); Big Bethel UDC Monument (approx. 2½ miles

Syms Free School Marker with other adjacent markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Will Hrachovina, February 23, 2025

2. Syms Free School Marker with other adjacent markers

away); a different marker also named Battle of Big Bethel (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. This page has been viewed 512 times since then and 165 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.