Chatham in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Chatham

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

1. Chatham Marker

Inscription.
I rejoice that America has resisted.
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

July 14, 1766

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, delivers a stunning speech to the British Parliament denouncing the 1765 Stamp Act saying, "I rejoice that America has resisted.

June 1, 1767

The Virginia House of Burgesses divides Halifax County in half to form a new western county from the Royal Dominion of Virginia.

The Burgesses in Williamsburg name the new county after William Pitt honoring him for his influence in the repeal of the Stamp Act. They add "sylvania," the Latin word for woods to Pitt's name. "Pitt's woods" becomes Pittsylvania. As William Pitt is the 1st Earl of Chatham, the Burgesses name the new county's seat of government, Chatham.

The Pitt family crest features a checkerboard and three checker pieces. An earlier family member had the bad judgment to beat King Henry VIII at a game of checkers. As a consequence, the King ordered that the Pitt family crest display the infamous checkerboard.

(captions)
Portrait by Richard Brompton, 1772
Pittsylvania County, 2017

Erected 2017 by Danville Regional Foundation and Chatham First, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1766.

Location. 36° 49.501′ N, 79° 23.899′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Depot Street and South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Depot Street. The Marker is located in Giles Gateway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 South Main Street, Chatham VA 24531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia,

specifically in the Piedmont,

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and in Southside 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: Giles Gateway Park (a few steps from this marker); Competition Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Fifth County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fourth County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Third County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Second County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); First County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Ex Parte Virginia (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

2. Chatham Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

3. Chatham Marker

Chatham Marker (Reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

4. Chatham Marker (Reverse)

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

5. Chatham Marker (Reverse)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 7, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.