Farnham in Richmond County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Captain Vincent Shackleford

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 19, 2025

1. Captain Vincent Shackleford Marker

Inscription. On December 6, 1814, British naval and marine forces landed at nearby Morattico on the Rappahannock River and marched inland to destroy militia then gathering at Farnham Church. Defending at Farnham Church was a Richmond County artillery unit of nearly one hundred men commanded by Capt. Vincent Shackleford. During the skirmish with British forces, two militia soldiers were killed and two were wounded, including Captain Shackleford, who was captured and later paroled. He carried a musket ball in his leg until his death on February 12, 1820. In his will, Captain Shackleford requested that the ball be extracted and the "indelible impression to be made by such a memento, may instill the strongest and lasting principle of courage and patriotism in the young and tender minds of our mutual offspring." May the sacrifices of these brave men never be forgotten.
Dedicated 2016 by the General and Virginia Societies of the War of 1812.

Erected 2016 by General Society of the War of 1812, Virginia Society of the War of 1812.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is December 6, 1814.

Location. 37° 53.177′ N,

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76° 37.517′ W. Marker is in Farnham, Virginia, in Richmond County. It is at the intersection of Canal Road and North Farnham Church Road, on the right when traveling north on Canal Road. Located just north of North Farnham Episcopal Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Canal Road, Farnham VA 22460, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Farnham Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cyrus Griffin’s Birthplace (approx. 2.2 miles away); Northern Neck Industrial Academy (approx. 2.2 miles away); Richmond County / Northumberland County (approx. 4½ miles away); Lancaster County / Richmond County (approx. 4.7 miles away); Greater love hath no man than this

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 19, 2025

2. Captain Vincent Shackleford Marker

(approx. 5½ miles away); The Rev. Paymus Nutt (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farnham.

Regarding Captain Vincent Shackleford. North Farnham Church, built in 1737, stood in its present form (albeit with a different roof) during the 1814 skirmish. Indistinct bullet marks from this engagement are still visible on the church's south face.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 19, 2025

3. Captain Vincent Shackleford Marker

The 1737 church is beyond.

Ruins of North Farnham Church, 1908 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 17, 2025

4. Ruins of North Farnham Church, 1908

Photo from the Northern Neck Historical Society. The church was repaired in 1921.

North Farnham Church, Southeast Elevation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 19, 2025

5. North Farnham Church, Southeast Elevation

The bullet damage from the 1814 skirmish are on the two walls lit by the sunlight in this photograph.

Skirmish Damage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 19, 2025

6. Skirmish Damage

This view of the lower wall on the southeast facade of the transept shows the mark of two fairly distinct musket ball impacts, made more visible by the shadow effect from the sun's angle the day this was taken. There are other marks, particularly on this specific wall, but these are the most distinct (note - there are a couple of modern drill holes on the church walls that are not shown in the photo, if visiting in person be aware those perfectly cylindrical penetrations are NOT from gunfire).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.