Near Powhatan in Powhatan County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mosby’s Tavern
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Cumberland Old Courthouse
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 15, 2010
1. Mosby’s Tavern Marker
Benjamin Mosby operated a tavern on this site as early as 1741 in what was then Goochland County. In 1749 at the formation of Cumberland County, this tavern served as its Courthouse. The sessions were held here until Powhatan County was formed out of Cumberland in 1777; for a time court was held here for both counties.
Benjamin Mosby’s son, General Littlebury Mosby Sr., 1729-1809, the most notable figure in early Powhatan politics was instrumental in having the courthouses located here.
The site, a Virginia Historic Landmark, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cumberland Old Courthouse
George Washington referred to this site as “Cumberland Old Courthouse” when this was a major staging area for troops of the Continental Army. On February 18, 1775 the Cumberland County Committee of Safety met here and composed The Cumberland Resolutions, one of the earliest calls for independence issued in the colonies.
After Yorktown, troops of the Virginia Continental Line, ill-equipped, ill-fed, unpaid and nearly mutinous, marched from here to the Southern Campaign of 1782.
While there they participated with valor and success in the final engagements of our war for independence.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1836.
Location. 37° 33.972′ N, 78° 2.205′ W. Marker is near Powhatan, Virginia, in Powhatan County. It is at the intersection of Old Tavern Road and Anderson Highway (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling south on Old Tavern Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Powhatan VA 23139, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Central Virginia, and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Dunlora Academy (approx. 1.4 miles away); Muddy Creek School (approx. 3½ miles away); Derwent (approx. 3.6 miles away); Belmead (approx. 3.7 miles away); Mohemenco (A Monacan Village) and Drake House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Cumberland County / Powhatan County (approx. 4.4 miles away); Pocahontas High School (approx. 4.9 miles away); Giles's Home (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Powhatan.
Other markers no longer nearby. Derwent (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Derwent (was approx. 5 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Mosby Tavern.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 15, 2010
2. Cumberland Old Courthouse Marker
2. Powhatan Historical Society. (Submitted on July 15, 2010.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 15, 2010
3. Mosby’s Tavern Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 15, 2010
4. Cumberland Old Courthouse Marker
July 15, 2010
5. Mosby Tavern c .1739
July 15, 2010
6. Mosby Tavern (private residence)
National Register of Historic Places
7. Mosby Tavern
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,641 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 15, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2010. 7. submitted on July 15, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
