Marshall in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Birthplace of Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon, USMC
Inscription.
Just north stood the home of William and Ann (Neville) O’Bannon, where their son, Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon, was born about 1776. O’Bannon, a Marine, was the first American to command U.S. forces on foreign soil and the first to raise the American flag over a fortress in the Old World. His success at the Battle of Derne, Tripoli (present day Libya) on 27 Apr. 1805, ended a four-year war against the Tripoli pirates, and inspired the phrase “to the shores of Tripoli” in the Marine Corps Hymn. He settled in Kentucky about 1807, served in its legislature, and died in 1850.
Erected 1996 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number FF-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 27, 1805.
Location. 38° 51.73′ N, 77° 52.215′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is on Grove Lane (Virginia Route F185) west of Free State Road (Business U.S. 17), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marshall VA 20115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Campaign of Second Manassas (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee’s Narrow Escape (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mosby’s Rangers Disband Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Salem (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mosby’s Rangers Disband (approx. 0.9 miles away); McClellan Relieved From Command (approx. 0.9 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Number 18 School (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers related to Lt. Presley N. O'Bannon, USMC.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,294 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on August 7, 2026, by Clay Thomas Fimiani of Marshall, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 26, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 7, 2020, by Eric Holland of Fairfax, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 26, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Clay Thomas Fimiani of Marshall, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.



