Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Nicolas Martiau and 16 of His Family Members

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 5, 2026

1. Nicolas Martiau and 16 of His Family Members Marker

Inscription. Nicolas Martiau and 16 of his family members were reinterred from the family burial site on Buckner Street to this site in 1936.

This marker is dedicated to Nicolas Martiau, 1591-1657, upon whose land the Town of Yorke was founded in 1691.

He was the earliest American ancestor of General George Washington and Governor Thomas Nelson

Dedicated May 22, 1993

Erected 1993.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 37° 14.149′ N, 76° 30.457′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It can be reached from Church Street 0.1 miles north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Church Street, Yorktown VA 26390, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

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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: These Ledgers (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Colonel Thomas Pate (here, next to this marker); Colonial Grace Church (a few steps from this marker); Grace Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Grace Church - circa 1697 (within shouting distance of this marker); Somerwell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Shop (Reconstructed) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cole Digges House, circa 1925 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It is a monument at the Martiau home site nearby.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 5, 2026

2. Nicolas Martiau and 16 of His Family Members Marker

The marker is with the gravestones of the Read family, also recovered from Buckner Steet.

Virginia Founder Before May 13, 1657 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 5, 2026

3. Virginia Founder Before May 13, 1657

Virginia Society Order of Founders & Patriots of America

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 89 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.