Reedville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The War of 1812
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African Americans in the War of 1812
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 20, 2014
1. The War of 1812 Marker
The War of 1812. Impressment of Americans into British service and the violation of American ships were among the causes of Americas War of 1812 with the British, which lasted until 1815. Beginning in 1813, Virginians suffered from a British naval blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and from British troops plundering the countryside by the Bay and along the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers. The Virginia militia deflected a British attempt to take Norfolk in 1813, and engaged British forces throughout the war. By the end of the war, more than 2000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia had gained their freedom aboard British ships.
African Americans in the War of 1812. During the War of 1812, thousands of enslaved African Americans gained freedom by fighting for the British or serving as guides during British raids on coastal communities. Many were given the choice of enlisting in the armed services or settling in various locations throughout the British Empire. East of here on Tangier Island, at the British base of Fort Albion, the British trained African Americans to serve in the Colonial Marines. From Fort Albion, the Colonial Marines, along with British troops, engaged the Virginia militia in numerous landings along the Northern Neck and the Eastern Shore throughout the summer of 1814.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 37° 50.541′ N, 76° 17.246′ W. Marker is in Reedville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It can be reached from Buzzards Point Road (Virginia Route 656) 0.6 miles east of Fairport Road ( Route 646), on the right when traveling south. Located in the Buzzard Point Marina parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 468 Buzzards Point Road, 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 walking distance of this marker: Indian Prisoners Abandoned on Tangier Island (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. 0.6 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
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 20, 2014
2. African Americans in the War of 1812 Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 20, 2014
3. Buzzards Point Marina
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 20, 2014
4. Buzzards Point Marina
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,286 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
