Millers Tavern in Essex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mattaponi Indian Town

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, April 18, 2008

1. Mattaponi Indian Town Marker

Inscription. To the north, after the 1644-1646 conflict between colonists and groups still loyal to the Powhatan chiefdom, the Mattaponi Indians found refuge on the headwaters of Piscataway Creek. Officers of then Old Rappahannock County signed a treaty with the Mattaponi in 1656. By 1660, however, the Mattaponi's English neighbors were pressuring them to leave and in 1662 some colonists burned the chief's English style house. The chief complained to the governor and an agreement was reached that three Englishmen would pay compensation and the tribe would relocate. By 1668, these Mattaponi had moved to the middle region of the Mattaponi River in King William County.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1656.

Location. 37° 49.753′ N, 76° 57.021′ W. Marker is in Millers Tavern, Virginia, in Essex County. It is on US 360, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at King & Queen County line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Millers Tavern VA 23115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bacon's Northern Force (here, next to this marker); King and Queen County / Essex County (here, next to this marker); Mt. Zion Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Bruington Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); Hillsboro (approx. 5½ miles away); Apple Tree Church (approx. 5.6 miles away); Clark Home (approx. 5.7 miles away); State Fish Hatchery (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Millers Tavern.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mount Pleasant (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . On the Road in Essex County - O-22 Mattaponi Indian Town. 2019 article by Zorine Shirley in the River County News. Excerpt:

Mattaponi means “people of the river.” They, along with several other tribes who had been displaced from their land, sought refuge at the Piscataway Creek headwaters. They lived under the protection of England, but the land was not hospitable and food was hard to come by during the harsh winter months. They had also lost their access to the “tuckahoe plant” that grew in the marshy lowlands. The “tuckahoe” produced a tuber that could be stored for sustenance, year round.

(Submitted on September 17, 2020.)

Richmond Tappahannock Highway (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 6, 2009

2. Richmond Tappahannock Highway (facing west)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,845 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 30, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.