Courtland in Southampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Cypress Bridge
A Crossing of the Nottoway
| | Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection | |
After the clash with members of the Southampton Militia a few miles away at Parker's Field. Nat Turner was determined to continue to Jerusalem (today's Courtland), directing 20 or so of his men to follow lesser used roads. Turner believed that he could cross the Nottoway River downstream from the county seat where Cypress Bridge stood.
"General" Nat's Army
Turner's command numbered approximately 60 men before the skirmish at Parker's Field. Many ran away or were injured during that engagement. With his command now down to 20 men, Turner believed he would recruit more followers en route to Jerusalem. He planned to take the town from the east, terrorizing and killing its inhabitants. He also needed more arms and ammunition, and he thought he would find these supplies in abundance in town. Although he overtook some of his followers who rejoined his command, Turner soon realized that Cypress Bridge was defended by too many militiamen for the insurgents to cross.
Turner then retreated to Major Ridley's Quarter. En route, the insurrectionists passed "Thomaston," the home of the Thomas family. Thirteen-year-old George Henry Thomas bravely orchestrated his family's escape. Later, he would attend the United States Military Academy and serve as a leading Union general during the Civil War.
After
this page online
Erected by Nat Turner Insurrection Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Nat Turner Trail: 1831 Southampton Insurrection series list.
Location. 36° 42.79′ N, 77° 4.033′ W. Marker is in Courtland, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Main Street (Business U.S. 58) south of Court Street, on the left 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: John Brown (here, next to this marker); Not Forgotten (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Southampton County (within shouting distance of this marker); The County Courthouse (within
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026
3. Cypress Bridge Pylons
The remains of a newer iteration of the Cypress Bridge are visible at the Cypress Bridge Swamp nature preserve fishing area at the end of Old Bridge Road. This bridge was set for replacement in 1953 but was abandoned by the county by 1955. Newspaper articles from The Tidewater News indicate that Roanoke Bridge Company was awarded a contract to replace the old wooden bridge here in 1913; this would seem to be the ruins of the bridge erected between 1913-19 and thus deserted with a stretch of Route 674 in the 1950s. Nevertheless, this has long been the site of the Cypress Bridge crossing on the Nottoway River, running between Courtland and Newsoms.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
