Nelson in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bolthorpe Plantation

Photographed by Will Hrachovina, February 23, 2025

1. Bolthorpe Plantation Marker

Inscription. Bolthorpe Plantation was located nearby on the Warwick River. The 1350 acre estate, originally owned by Captain Samuel Stephens, was sold to Colonel William Cole in 1671. As a loyalist, Cole supported the crown during Bacon's Rebellion. Cole defended the James River against piracy, served as a member of Virginia Assembly, Commander of Warwickshire and Secretary of State. Cole died in office March 4, 1694. He is interred in the Cole burial plot on Patrick Lane. From April 3 to May 4, 1862, the land was occupied by Union Forces during the Peninsula Campaign. Fortifications still line the shore of the Warwick River.

Erected 1992 by Newport News Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1671.

Location. 37° 8.166′ N, 76° 33.43′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Nelson. It is on Beechmont Drive 0.1 miles west of Colleen Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands 100 feet east of the Beechwood Bridge over Stoney Run Creek. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 Beechmont Dr, Newport News VA 23608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

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

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within walking distance of this marker: Potter’s Field (approx. 0.7 miles away); Windmill Point (approx. 0.8 miles away); Magruder Defense Line (approx. 0.9 miles away); Olivet Christian Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Warwick Court House (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Courthouse Square (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Free State of Warwick (approx. 0.9 miles away); Warwick Courthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.