Reedville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Indian Prisoners Abandoned on Tangier Island

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, August 10, 2011

1. Indian Prisoners Abandoned on Tangier Island Marker

Inscription. Following paramount chief Opechancanough’s 1644 organized attacks against the English colonists for encroaching on Indian lands, Governor William Berkeley led further military strikes against the Virginia Indians in July 1645, taking many prisoners. On August 9, the Virginia Council decided to transport all the Indian male prisoners more than 11 years of age to Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay “to prevent their returning to and strengthening their respective tribes.” Berkeley's own ship transported the prisoners to Tangier, where they were abandoned. Their fate is unknown.

Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number JT-91.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1645.

Location. 37° 50.54′ N, 76° 17.252′ W. Marker is in Reedville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It is on Buzzard Point Road (County Route 656). At dock for Tangier Island Ferry at Buzzard Point Marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 468 Buzzard Point Rd, Reedville VA 22539, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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

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walking distance of this marker: The War of 1812 / African Americans in the War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Claud W. Somers (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Elva C (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fannie (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe (approx. 0.7 miles away); Drive Boat (approx. 0.7 miles away); Morris-Fisher Stack (approx. 0.7 miles away); Trap Skiff (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reedville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Elva C (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Claud W. Somers (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Additional commentary.
1. Opechancanough
Opechancanough is said to have been a younger brother (or half-brother) of the famous chief Powhatan. He was captured in 1646 and killed.

— Submitted September 1, 2011, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.

Marker is at Dock for Tangier Island Ferry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, August 10, 2011

2. Marker is at Dock for Tangier Island Ferry

Marker (on left) Seen from Ferry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, August 10, 2011

3. Marker (on left) Seen from Ferry

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2011, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,428 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2011, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.