Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mistress Margaret Brent

(c1601–c1671)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008

1. Mistress Margaret Brent Marker

Inscription. On September 6, 1654, this site was included in a patent of 700 acres granted by the Colony of Virginia to Mistress Margaret Brent (c1601–c1671). An extraordinary woman, she spent most of her adult life fighting discrimination of her sex, she was the first private owner of the rectangular tract of land on the Potomac River above Hunting Creek that became the nucleus of Alexandria.

Erected 1978 by the Mount Vernon Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1849.

Location. 38° 47.451′ N, 77° 2.464′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It can be reached from Jones Point Drive east of South Royal Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is north of Jones' Point Lighthouse in Jones Point Park.

PLEASE NOTE: The automated “Touch for directions” link at the end of this paragraph, when used in driving mode, takes you to I-95’s Wilson Bridge, where you cannot park, much less stop, and then seems to indicate that you should jump off the bridge and walk to the marker. You will
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surely break your neck—among many other bones—if you jump off the bridge; see photo No. 2. Instead, set your destination to “Jones Point Park Parking” in order to obtain driving directions to where you can park and walk to the marker.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Jones Point Dr, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: The Remarkable Margaret Brent (here, next to this marker); The Jones Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); D.C.'s First Building Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nation's Capital Begins Here 1791-1793 (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Owns the River? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Long Story of The Jones Point Ropewalk (within shouting distance of this marker); A World War I Shipyard Transforms Jones Point (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountains of Materials and Massive Manpower (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Marker was originally located at 38.790375N, 77.04081W, prior to moving it away from the lighthouse in Jones Point Park.

Related markers.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

2. Mistress Margaret Brent Marker

In its new location with the "Remarkable Margaret Brent" marker

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers about Margaret Brent

Also see . . . Margaret Brent (ca. 1601-ca. 1671). Brief biographical sketch by Anne Baker; prepared for the Maryland State Archives. Note: Article has been archived at Archive.org. (Submitted on June 21, 2008.)

Marker at the Jones Point Light image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008

3. Marker at the Jones Point Light

This picture is of the marker at is original location.

Jones Point Light image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008

4. Jones Point Light

This is the first view of the lighthouse as you walk up the path from the parking lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,884 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 19, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.