Eastville in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Courthouse
Northampton County was one of Virginia's eight original shires formed by 1634. It encompassed the entire peninsula south of Maryland and was known as Accomac until the General Assembly changed its name in 1643. Present-day Accomack County broke off in 1663. Northampton's court, first held in Town Fields, was moved to present-day Eastville in 1677. The 1731 courthouse, the third built here, was relocated to the north edge of the green to save it from demolition in 1913. From its door the Declaration of Independence was read on 13 Aug. 1776. The two-story Romanesque Revival courthouse was built in 1899.
Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WY-10.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 1776.
Location. 37° 21.209′ N, 75° 56.764′ W. Marker is in Eastville, Virginia, in Northampton County. It is on Courthouse Road (Business U.S. 13) north of Willow Oak Road (County Road 631), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16392 Courthouse Rd, Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, on the Delmarva Peninsula, 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: Gingaskin Indian Reservation (here, next to this marker); Northampton County Court Green (a few steps from this marker); Debdeavon (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Monument - Eastville, VA (a few steps from this marker); Northampton County Veteran's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Historic Northampton County Court Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastville Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of the First Settler (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eastville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Old Courthouse (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Northampton County Court Green (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2026
2. Old Courthouse and Gingaskin Indian Reservation Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
