New Kent in New Kent County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James Pawpaw
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 24, 2026
1. James Pawpaw Marker
James Pawpaw, born likely in Africa, developed remedies for a variety of ailments while enslaved in New Kent Co. Among them was a treatment for yaws, a bacterial infection widespread in enslaved communities where poor conditions led to transmission. In 1729 he provided recipes for his medicines to Lt. Gov. William Gooch and the Council of State, who in exchange purchased his freedom for £50 from Frances Littlepage, of nearby Cumberland plantation, and awarded him a £20 yearly pension. Pawpaw's treatment for yaws was widely published. Attributed to "Dr. Papa," It appeared in Every Man His Own Doctor, British North America's first domestic medical manual, printed by Benjamin Franklin and by others.
Erected 2023 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WO-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1729.
Location. 37° 30.229′ N, 77° 1.156′ W. Marker is in New
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula and in Coastal Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Criss Cross Plantation (here, next to this marker); John William Dunjee (1833-1903) (here, next to this marker); George Poindexter (here, next to this marker); Harold J. Neale (approx. 1.4 miles
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 24, 2026
2. James Pawpaw Marker
The marker is the second from the camera at this four-marker gravel wayside pull-off.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 23, 2026
3. William Gooch's Signature
On a 1730 naturalization document displayed at the Historic Germanna Visitor Center in Orange County, Virginia. Gooch was Lieutenant Governor at the time, as he was when James Pawpaw supplied his medicine recipes to him.
Photographed by Wikipedia Commons
4. Cumberland Plantation
The center section of the house is antebellum, probably built in the first quarter of the 19th century, with 20th century brick wings. However, the house is thought to be constructed on top of the foundation of the 18th century Littlepage plantation house, making this site the seat of the plantation where James Pawpaw was enslaved.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.
