Near Norton in Wise County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Benge’s Gap

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

1. Benge’s Gap Marker

Inscription. Beginning in 1774, Chief Benge led a part of the Shawnee from the Ohio River on raids along the frontier. Benge, who was part white and part Cherokee. frequently captured slaves and then resold them; he also seized white women and children who were then adopted by various Indian groups. On 6 Apr. 1794, Benge attacked the Henry and Peter Livingston farm on the Holston River, took several residents prisoner, and marched them northeast. Three days later, when they entered the Powell Mountain gap just south, Lt. Vincent Hobbs and eleven Lee County militiamen ambushed them, killed Benge with the first volley, and freed the captives.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number X-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1794.

Location. 36° 54.785′ N, 82° 40.16′

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W. Marker is near Norton, Virginia, in Wise County. It is on Orby Cantrell Hwy (US 58 Alt) (U.S. 23), on the right when traveling north. It is at the James Walker Robinson Memorial Scenic Overlook on the northbound lanes just south of Norton. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norton VA 24273, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Resolution Declaring a Sasquatch / Bigfoot Sanctuary (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Integrated Little League Baseball Teams in Virginia (approx. 2.4 miles away); Norton (approx. 2.6 miles away); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); Norton / Coeburn (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Lynching of Dave Hurst / Lynching in America (approx. 4.3 miles away); Napoleon Hill (approx. 6 miles away); Appalachia (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norton.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

2. Benge’s Gap Marker

Dusk in the Valley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

3. Dusk in the Valley

View from the overlook at Benge’s Gap just before 9 p.m.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,544 times since then and 212 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.