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

Early History of Suffolk

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

1. Early History of Suffolk Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A community developed here in the 1720s around John Constant's wharf, dwelling, and tobacco warehouse. The Virginia House of Burgesses chartered the town of Suffolk in 1742. It was incorporated as a town in 1808 and as a city in 1910; in 1974 it merged with Nansemond County. American troops occupied Suffolk during the Revolutionary War and a British force burned it on 13 May 1779. The Marquis de Lafayette visited the town in February 1825 during his American tour. Union forces held Suffolk for most of the Civil War. The town suffered disastrous fires in 1837, 1885, and 1888 but was quickly rebuilt each time.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-251.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1825.

Location. 36° 44.333′ N, 76°

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

2. Early History of Suffolk Marker

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34.961′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. Marker can be reached from North Main Street (Virginia Route 32) north of East Constance Road (Business U.S. 460), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Constance Rd, Suffolk VA 23434, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Riddick’s Folly (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cedar Hill Cemetery (about 700 feet away); First Suffolk Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Site of the First Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Korea and Vietnam Wars Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spanish War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Also see . . . History of Suffolk, Virginia. Wikipedia (Submitted on September 2, 2014.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

3. Early History of Suffolk Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.