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

George Thorpe

Photographed by Kathy Walker, August 11, 2007

1. George Thorpe Marker

Inscription. On April 3, 1620, The London Company hired George Thorpe to manage the land and tenants for the proposed "university and college" on 11,000 acres on the north bank of the James River above Henrico Town. The agricultural activities of the tenants supported the school, which was established to Christianize American Indian children and introduce them to English culture. Indian attackers killed Thorpe and 347 Virginia colonists on March 22, 1622 at the beginning of the Anglo-Powhatan War. The event brought an end to early efforts to establish a university and college in Henrico.

Erected 2000 by County of Henrico. (Marker Number HC-14.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1928.

Location. 37° 26.15′ N, 77° 19.77′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. It can be reached from the intersection of New Market Road (Virginia Route 5) and Interstate 295, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3256 New Market Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: William Hatcher (here, next to this marker); Pocahontas (within shouting distance of this marker); Henrico Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Route 5 Corridor (within shouting distance of this marker); Action at Osborne's (within shouting distance of this marker); Proposed First University in English America (within shouting distance of this marker); Varina (within shouting distance of this marker); New Market Heights (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 30, 2025

2. George Thorpe Marker

of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Henrico History (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

1622 Attack Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 3, 2026

3. 1622 Attack Map

At the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. The College Land & Henrico Town are grouped together with Master Abraham Pierce's plantation as locations 3 & 4 (referenced by the red arrow) in the museum's exhibit. The red locations indicate where known casualties occurred, accounting for 310 of the 347 people killed (including George Thorpe) in the attacks.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,720 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 30, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.