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

Turkey Island

Photographed by Kathy Walker, August 3, 2007

1. Turkey Island Marker

Inscription. Soon after landing at Jamestown in May 1607. Captain Christopher Newport, while exploring the James River discovered Turkey Island (two miles south). He named it for the large number of wild turkeys there. In 1684, William Randolph purchased Turkey Island; it then became the seat of the Randolph family. His descendants included Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, and Robert E. Lee. Robert Pickett acquired Turkey Island in 1836. During the Civil War, the large family dwelling was burned by Union troops. Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett and his family lived there in a small cottage after the war.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Exploration • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1607.

Location. 37° 24.369′ N, 77° 16.167′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is at the intersection of New Market Road (Virginia Route 5) and Curles Neck Road, on the right when traveling east on New Market Road.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5100 New Market Road, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Engagement at Malvern Cliffs (here, next to this marker); The Flood of 1771 (here, next to this marker); Turkey Island Mansion (here, next to this marker); James Crewes (a few steps from this marker); Captain Thomas Harris (approx. 0.4 miles away); Curles Neck and Bremo (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nathaniel Bacon (approx. half a mile away); Malvern Cliffs (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Curles Neck and Bremo (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . William Randolph of Turkey Island. (Submitted on July 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Kathy Walker, August 3, 2007

2. Turkey Island Marker

Located alongside markers, Engagement at Malvern Cliffs, and The Flood of 1771.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12,013 times since then and 432 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.