Near North Tazewell in Tazewell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Roark’s Gap Incident

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

1. Roark’s Gap Incident Marker

Inscription. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783), European powers encouraged their Indian allies to attack frontier settlers. Such conflicts took place as settlers moved into lands that once were Indian territory. During the winter of 1780, a food shortage caused hardship for people and animals. While James Roark, an early settler of this region, and two of his sons went on a hunting trip, Indians attacked his home, on 18 Mar. 1780. The Indians, alleged to be Shawnee, killed Roark’s wife and seven of their children. This event was unanticipated by the settlers because snow covered the ground.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number X-29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 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 1780.

Location. 37° 7.757′ N, 81° 37.268′ W. Marker is near North Tazewell, Virginia, in Tazewell County. It is at the intersection

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of Baptist Valley Road (County Route 631) and Jumps Road (County Route 637), on the left when traveling west on Baptist Valley Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Tazewell VA 24630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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: Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1392 (approx. 2 miles away); Mathias Harman, Sr. (approx. 2.6 miles away); Pisgah United Methodist Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Fincastle Turnpike (approx. 2.7 miles away); Thomas Whitten (approx. 2.7 miles away); 250th Anniversary of the United States of America

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

2. Roark’s Gap Incident Marker

(approx. 2.7 miles away); Fort Witten (approx. 2.7 miles away); Big Crab Orchard or Witten’s Fort (approx. 2.7 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Pisgah United Methodist Church (was approx. 2.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The Roark Massacre — Sanford Line. “The harsh winter had not yet snapped in the Baptist Valley of southwest Virginia, and the ground was covered with snow. Indian predations had been halted since the previous summer when the neighboring Evans family had been massacred by the Shawnee, so James had probably become secure in the relative tranquility of the area. Because of the long, hard winter, even those pioneers who had livestock were finding that little meat was still available, so James was compelled to set out that morning with his two older sons to hunt for their provisions.rdquo; (Submitted on October 20, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,590 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.