Lexington, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John Chavis

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012

1. John Chavis Marker

Inscription. John Chavis (1763 – 1838), a free-born African-American veteran of the American Revolution was a native of Granville County, North Carolina. He was also one of the first college-educated men of color in the United States. Chavis studied at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1792 and attended Liberty Hall Academy (present-day Washington and Lee University) in 1796. The Lexington Presbytery licensed him to preach in 1800. Chavis returned to North Carolina where he taught free blacks in the evenings and white students by day. One of the latter was Willie P. Mangum who became a U.S. Senator from North Carolina.

Erected 2006 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number I-24.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 37° 47.196′ N, 79° 26.652′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Virginia. It is on Washington Street north of Lee Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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 walking distance of this marker: Last Home of Traveller (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Grace Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee-Jackson House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Morris House (about 400 feet away); Alben W. Barkley (about 500 feet away); Matthew F. Maury (about 500 feet away); Cyrus Hall McCormick (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Cyrus Hall McCormick (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012

2. John Chavis Marker

Marker in Lexington image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012

3. Marker in Lexington

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,211 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.