Accomac in Accomack County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace of Governor Wise

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

1. Birthplace of Governor Wise Marker

Inscription. Here stood the birthplace of Henry Alexander Wise (1806-1876), Governor of Virginia (1856-1860) and general in the Confederate States Army. A talented orator and debator in an age of great orators, Wise was elected to six terms in Congress. He served as a delegate at the Virginia Conventions of 1850 and 1861, and as United States Minister to Brazil (1844-1847).

Erected 1973 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number EP-21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 37° 43.152′ N, 75° 40.27′ W. Marker is in Accomac, Virginia, in Accomack County. It is at the intersection of Alt. US 13 Front Street and Courthouse Ave., on the right when traveling north on Alt. US 13 Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Accomac VA 23301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Accomac Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Accomack County Virginia World War I (within shouting distance of this marker); Accomack County Virginia World War II, Korea & Vietnam

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Makemie Statue (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Debtors Prison (about 600 feet away); Elijah Baker (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary Nottingham Smith High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Onancock (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Accomac.

Also see . . . Henry A. Wise. Wikipedia entry about Henry Wise. (Submitted on February 8, 2010, by Jeff Conner of Norfolk, Virginia.)

This house now stands behind the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, April 20, 2008

2. This house now stands behind the marker

Note the cannon on the front lawn.

Birthplace of Governor Wise Marker along Front Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

3. Birthplace of Governor Wise Marker along Front Street

Governor Wise image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Governor Wise

This portrait of Henry A. Wise, after a photo by Brady, appeared in Harper's Weekly, August 20, 1859.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,268 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 3, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.