Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Col. Bernard Magnien

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

1. Col. Bernard Magnien Marker

Inscription. Erected by the
Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
In memory of
Col. Bernard Magnien
Of Luneville France
Who "quitted his native Country along with the gallant La Fayette
To aid our Country In the accomplishment of her Independence"
He settle in Portsmouth and was a worth Citizen
One of the first borough Magistrates
And Col. of the militia of Norfolk and Portsmouth
He died Nov. 1st 1819
And is buried here.

Erected by Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1819.

Location. 36° 50.086′ N, 76° 18.061′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It can be reached from Court Street south of High Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on mounted on the churchyard side of the cemetery wall at Trinity Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Court Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically 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: Trinity Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Towne Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commodore Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1846 Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Court Street Baptist Church (about 500 feet

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

2. Col. Bernard Magnien Marker

The fractured remnants of Col. Magnien's gravestone are in front of the wall-mounted monument, broken into at least four pieces and with no legible text visible.

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Monument (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The illegible, essentially unrecognizable fragments of Col. Magnien's grave stone are a couple of feet west of this wall-mounted monument.

Regarding Col. Bernard Magnien. Col. Magnien was Aide-de-Camp to Lafayette during the Revolutionary War and, during the War of 1812, commanded the 7th Virginia Militia Regiment in the defense of the Chesapeake Bay.

Trinity Churchyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

3. Trinity Churchyard

Col. Magnien's memorial is just beyond this Department of Historic Resources Highway Marker - it is visible mounted on the brick wall directly across from the bench at lower right. Trinity Church, adorning this corner of town since 1762, stands in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.