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. 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 (DHR) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1825.

Location. 36° 44.333′ N, 76° 34.961′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It can be reached from North Main Street (Virginia Route 32) north of East Constance Road (Business U.S. 460), on the right when traveling

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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.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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: Nansemond River Crossing (a few steps from this marker); Lafayette’s Tour (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Riddick's Folly (about 700 feet away); 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); Site of the John Constant House (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Riddick’s Folly (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

2. Early History of Suffolk Marker

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

3. Early History of Suffolk Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,104 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.