Urbanna in Middlesex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Gardens Dedicated to John Mitchell
Physician, Botanist, Cartographer
| — | 1711-1768 | — |
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 8, 2025
1. Gardens Dedicated to John Mitchell Marker
Partridge-berry, Mitchella Repens
Patridge-berry, Mitchella repens, was named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of his friend, Dr. John Mitchell (1711-1768), an early physician and botanist from Lancaster, Virginia.
Carl Linnaeus is most famous for creating a system of naming plants and animals - a system we still use today. This system is known as the binomial system, whereby each species of plant and animal is given a genus name followed by a specific name (species), with both names being in Latin.
Native Americans and early colonists used partridge-berry to treat a variety of ailments such as an aid for childbirth. Infusions made from the roots and stems were used to treat rheumatism, back pain, and dystenery.
Erected 2008 by John Mitchell Garden Club Urbanna.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine.
Location. 37° 38.187′ N, 76° 34.393′ W. Marker is in Urbanna, Virginia, in Middlesex County. It can be reached from Virginia Street 0.1 miles west of Oyster Road, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Middle Peninsula. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 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 walking distance of this marker: Colonial Herb Garden (here, next to this marker); Old Tobacco Warehouse (a few steps from this marker); The Backyard Garden Was Essential (a few steps from this marker); Urbanna Museum & Visitors Center (a few steps from this marker); Tobacco Was Money (a few steps from this marker); A Hub For Commerce
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 8, 2025
2. Gardens Dedicated to John Mitchell
Next to the marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 8, 2025
3. John Mitchell Biography
Inside the adjacent museum.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 16, 2010
4. Scottish Factors Store
This building houses the Urbanna Museum & Visitors Center. The marker is just to the left, between the parking area and the raised garden boxes shown in the foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 18, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.
