Near Goochland in Goochland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Elk Hill

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 2, 2026

1. Elk Hill Marker

Inscription. About a mile southwest is Elk Hill, once owned by Thomas Jefferson. The land was patented by John Woodson in 1715 and was later acquired by John Wayles, father of Martha Wayles. Martha lived here with her first husband, Bathurst Skelton, who left her a widow in 1765 at the age of 19. Martha married Thomas Jefferson in 1772. Her sister inherited Elk Hill, but Martha and Thomas Jefferson purchased it in 1778. During the Revolutionary War, British Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis made Elk Hill his headquarters for several days in June 1781. His troops destroyed the barns, and a number of enslaved African Americans left with the army. Jefferson sold Elk Hill in 1799.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1781.

Location. 37° 43.861′ N, 78° 4.235′ W. Marker is near Goochland, Virginia, in Goochland County. It is at the intersection of River Road West (Virginia Route 6) and Elk Hill Road ( Route 608), on

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the right when traveling west on River Road West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1962 Elk Hill Road, Goochland VA 23063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George's Tavern Crossroads (approx. 0.9 miles away); Second Union School (approx. 2.6 miles away); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 4.4 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 5.2 miles away); Point of Fork (approx. 5.2 miles away); Rosenwald School at Cartersville (approx. 5½ miles away); a different marker also named Campaign of 1781

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 2, 2026

2. Elk Hill

Now part of the school Elk Hill Farm, the existing house was built ca. 1836.

(approx. 5.6 miles away); Clifton (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goochland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Elk Hill (has been replaced with this marker).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It preceded this marker in the same location.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.