Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Peter Johnston
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 13, 2025
1. Peter Johnston Marker
Merchant and Planter; Justice of the County Court 1766 and 1772; Vestryman of the Episcopal Church; Member of the House of Burgesses beginning in 1769; One of the original trustees of Hampden Sydney College, collating in 1775 the land (98 acres) on which the college buildings now stand.
His sons were Peter, Jr., Andrew, Charles and Edward.
He died at Longwood, December 6, 1786, and with his wife, Martha Butler Rogers, lies buried near this spot.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Education • Immigration. A significant historical date for this entry is December 6, 1786.
Location. 37° 17.576′ N, 78° 22.754′ W. Marker is in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. It is at the intersection of Johnston Drive and Longwood Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Johnston Drive. Marker is along the treeline at the northernmost part of the Longwood Athletics Complex property, on the road leading
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Southside Virginia, and specifically in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Longwood Estate (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Longwood (about 600 feet away); Dr. Elizabeth Burger Jackson '34 (about 700 feet away); Dr. Barbara Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); Longwood College (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Longwood University (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing); First Baptist Church (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 13, 2025
2. Peter Johnston Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 13, 2025
3. "Longwood"
This ca. 1815 house, built by Nathan Venable, replaced Peter Johnston's house using the same general homesite. It is a private residence used by the president of Longwood University. It is also the namesake of the university.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 93 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
