Chesterfield in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
William Ransom Johnson (1782-1849)
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 18, 2026
1. William Ransom Johnson (1782-1849) Marker
William R. Johnson lived near here at Oakland. Called the "Napoleon of the Turf," he was the most prominent figure in American horse racing early in the 19th century. His success depended in part on the labor of enslaved grooms, jockeys, and trainers. Johnson won national fame during the many North-South match races between the 1820s and 1840s. The best known of these, American Eclipse vs. Sir Henry in 1823, drew tens of thousands of spectators and was among the first sports events to generate nationwide interest. When Johnson's Sir Henry lost, some bettors reportedly lost fortunes. Johnson served several terms in the Virginia legislature between 1818 and 1836. He died in Mobile, AL.
Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-60.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Government & Politics • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.
Location. 37° 19.269′ N, 77° 45.011′ W. Marker is in Chesterfield, Virginia,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont, in Central Virginia, and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Sale of Enslaved People at Oakland (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Eppington (approx. 1.2 miles away); Clover Hill Mining District (approx. 4.8 miles away); Namozine Church (approx. 5.2 miles away);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 18, 2026
2. William Ransom Johnson (1782-1849) Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. William Ransom Johnson (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Eppington (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
