Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Africans in English America

Photographed By Laura Troy, September 8, 2007

1. First Africans in English America Marker

Inscription. The first documented Africans in English America arrived at Jamestown in August 1619. A Dutch man-of-war captured them from the Spanish, who had enslaved them, and sold them to the Virginia colonists. The “twenty and odd” Africans, some of whom had been given Spanish names, may have been treated like indentured servants and later freed after their periods of servitude expired. From this beginning the institution of slavery evolved during the 17th century as the Virginia colonists extended the length of service for Africans from a fixed term to life. The United States abolished slavery in 1865.

Erected 1992 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WT-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1619.

Location. 37° 13.782′ N, 76° 46.823′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. Marker is on Jamestown Road (Virginia Route 31) near Colonial National Historical Parkway, on the left when traveling east. This marker sits on a road that runs parallel to Jamestown

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Rd. It can be accessed off of Colonial Pkwy. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Africans In Jamestown (here, next to this marker); Jamestown (a few steps from this marker); First Germans at Jamestown (a few steps from this marker); First Poles Arrive (within shouting distance of this marker); Jamestown Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Pocahontas (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel H. Yonge, Civil Engineer (1843-1935) (within shouting distance of this marker); Angelo (fl. 1619-1625) (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

More about this marker. This marker sits with 4 others: V44,WT2,W38,V45.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study First Africans in Virginia marker shown.

Also see . . . Virginia changing marker denoting where first Africans arrived in 1619. "There cannot be two first landing sites ... after a thorough review by Virginia and Jamestown scholars and historians it was confirmed that the first Africans landed at Point Comfort in Hampton and they were later dispersed

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. First Africans in English America Marker

"First Africans in English America" is in a cluster of six markers.

to plantations including Jamestown." (Submitted on August 21, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,879 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 14, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.