Courtland in Southampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rochelle-Prince House
Home of County Clerk of Court
| | Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection | |
This home is one of Courtland's most significant properties on the National Register of Historic Places. The Rochelle-Prince House, built in 1814, is an excellent example of a Southeastern Virginia residence with Federal influences. The house was enlarged, circa 1827. Miss Lulie Prince donated the home to the Southampton County Historical Society.
Jerusalem
Situated on the north bank of the Nottoway River, Jerusalem, renamed Courtland in 1888, was the county seat for Southampton County. In 1831, militiaman Solon Borland wrote North Carolina Governor Montfort Stokes that this hamlet was home to "175 people, with only three stores, one saddler, one carriage maker, two hotels, two attorneys, and two physicians living in the town."
James Rochelle & Family
Across the street, you see the 1834/1926 Southampton County Courthouse, which replaced the court building where Nat Turner was brought for trial on November 1, 1831. As the county clerk, James Rochelle participated in the trial on November 5, which resulted in Turner's conviction and ultimate execution. Rochelle also recorded all the trials and court actions associated with the insurrection.
James Rochelle's descendants, Captain James Henry Rochelle and Martha Rochelle Tyler, add much to this residence's importance. Naval Academy
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1831.
Location. 36° 42.814′ N, 77° 4.002′ W. Marker is in Courtland, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Main Street (Business U.S. 58) west of Rochelle Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22371 Main St, Courtland VA 23837, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 within walking distance of this marker: The County Jail (a few steps from this marker); Dred Scott Decision (a few steps from this marker); The County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Southampton County (a few steps from this marker); Vaughan's Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Cypress Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
