Woodstock in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Last Indian-Settler Conflict

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, May 30, 2011

1. Last Indian-Settler Conflict Marker

Inscription. A series of conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, including the French and Indian War, the Cherokee War, and Pontiac’s War, occurred along the western frontier of the colonies. The last documented clash in the Shenandoah Valley took place nearby in 1766. A small band of Indians attacked the Sheetz and Taylor families as they fled for safety to the fort at Woodstock. Mathias Sheetz and Taylor were both killed, but their wives used axes to fight off the Indians and escape with the children.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number A-41.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, French and Indian • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.

Location. 38° 50.868′ N, 78° 31.822′ W. Marker is in Woodstock, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on Old Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.1 miles north of Narrow Passage Creek Bridge, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office

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area: Woodstock VA 22664, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

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: The Stover - McGinnis House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodstock (approx. 2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Massanutten Academy (approx. 2.2 miles away); Massanutten Military Academy (approx. 2.3 miles away); Welcome to Woodstock's Lovework (approx. 2.4 miles away); St. Paul's Reformed Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Ardent Abolitionist (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodstock.

Also see . . . The Last Indian Outrage.

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, May 30, 2011

2. Last Indian-Settler Conflict Marker

This marker replaced a 1927 marker with the same number but titled “Last Indian Outrage” erected in 1927 that read,

“Here, in 1766, took place the last Indian outrage in Shenandoah County. Five Indians attacked two settler families fleeing to Woodstock. Two men were killed; the women and children escaped.”

This link is to a 2011 article by Allen Browne that discusses the marker’s revision and includes an image of the 1927 marker. (Submitted on March 4, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,729 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.