Fairview Beach near King George in King George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Great Hare & the Patawomeck Creation

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

1. The Great Hare & the Patawomeck Creation Marker

Inscription. In 1610, Captain Samuel Argall sailed up the Potomac River to visit and trade with Chief Japazaw, the leader of the nearby village of Passapatanzy. Japazaw narrated the Patawomeck creation story (seen in the box to the right) to Argall through an interpreter.

According to the creation story, the Great Hare formed a rich environment for humankind, like the prominent rivers that sculpted the landscape of the Chesapeake region. People traveled along these waterways and developed networks of trade and cultural exchange The Great Hare’s original creation was the landscape where native Virginians lived and traveled. Before the Great Hare created the world, humans had no permanent place to develop their communities. As a physical reminder of this gift, the land and water of the Potomac River represented the importance of place to the Patawomneck people. Just as the Great Hare populated different countries with humans, each tribe’s relationship With the Chesapeake landscape shaped their interactions and identity among each other.

Standing here, near the Patawomeck village of Passapatanzy, the native Virginians

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could look across the Potomac River and see a representation of their relationships, both within their tribe and with others. To the left, they saw the leader of the Patawomeck tribe’s village at Indian Point. Separated by the river, the Piscataway people lived on the north bank. The prime location of the bend in the Potomac River allowed the Patawomeck to exchange materials and cultural ideas with various groups. The Patawomeck became known as great traders of goods, fitting the translation of their name of “river of traveling traders” or “trading center/place” in Virginian Algonquian.

The Creation Story

The Great Hare created humans and kept them in a great bag in his dwelling place, behind the rising sun. Angered by the changes to the order of the spirit world, the four wind gods planned to capture and eat the humans, but the Great Hare drove them away. Using rituals, he created the water and land, along with a great deer. The winds became jealous of the deer and killed it with their hunting poles. However the Great Hare was not discouraged by the wrathful gods. He took the countless hairs of the slain deer
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

2. The Great Hare & the Patawomeck Creation Marker
and spread them across the land. Through powerful charms, he transformed each hair into a deer to sustain the humans. Then, the Great Hare opened the bag and placed a man and woman in each country. The Great Hare returned to his dwelling place, leaving humanity to live in the world he created for them.

Erected by University of Mary Washington and Visit King George Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1610.

Location. 38° 19.813′ N, 77° 14.8′ W. Marker is near King George, Virginia, in King George County. It is in Fairview Beach. It is at the intersection of Pavilion Drive and Fairview Drive (County Route 696), on the right when traveling west on Pavilion Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5435 Pavilion Dr, King George VA 22485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the

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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: Marmion (approx. 4.4 miles away); Eagle’s Nest (approx. 4.4 miles away); St. Paul’s Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Patawomeck People at Belle Plains (approx. 4.9 miles away); Lamb’s Creek Church (approx. 5 miles away); Battle of Aquia Landing (approx. 5.3 miles away); Aquia Landing (approx. 5.3 miles away); History of the Patawomeck Indians (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in King George.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.