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

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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,

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 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

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 12, 2026

2. Bolthorpe Plantation Marker

Facing west on Beechmont Drive.

miles away); Warwick Courthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 12, 2026

3. Bolthorpe Plantation Marker

Beyond the treeline is Stony Run.

Cole Burial Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, 2026

4. Cole Burial Plot

On Patrick Lane, as described in the marker. The gravestones are visible lying horizontally in the mulch bed in front of a private residence. Newport News GIS records indicate the cemetery is not part of the residential parcel visible in the background. View from the curb.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Will Hrachovina of Newport News, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.