Near Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bacon's Rebellion
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox
1. Bacon's Rebellion Marker
In 1676, John Custis II was recognized as a wealthy and powerful man, not only on the Eastern Shore, but also in Jamestown. When Nathaniel Bacon assembled a militia to overthrow the royal government at Jamestown, Governor William Berkeley fled to the safety of "Arlington" on Old Plantation Creek near the southern tip of the Eastern Shore. While living here at the home of John Custis, he established "Arlington" as the temporary capitol of the colony, conducting the day-to-day activities of the government, as well as raising financial support for an army to fight against Bacon.
When Bacon sent four ships across the Chesapeake Bay towards Old Plantation Creek in an effort to capture Gov. Berkeley and John Custis, local residents set out in their own boats to aid the government's supporters. Berkeley's forces won the day and he eventually returned to Jamestown to find it burned to the ground. With the unexpected death of Nathaniel Bacon in October, 1676, the rebellion was over and Berkeley returned to Jamestown, grateful to John Custis and the residents of the Eastern Shore who had supported him and the royal government.
Inset: Gov. Berkeley did not have to sail far to get to Arlington for safety, but then neither did Bacon's forces in their efforts to capture him.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1676.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 13.727′ N, 76° 0.198′ W. Marker was near Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. It could be reached from Arlington Chase Road north of Custis Tomb Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was on the Eastern Shore. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Archaeology (within shouting distance of this marker); African Presence (within shouting distance of this marker); The Custis Tombs (within shouting distance of this marker); European Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); American Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Arlington Sites Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.
Other markers no longer nearby. Mansion Site (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox
2. Bacon's Rebellion Marker
Bacon's Rebellion Marker is the most visible one in the frame, at the far end of the open space in the field where the original Arlington House once stood.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Additional commentary.
1.
This and the other three markers are in obvious disrepair. I visited this site in 2013, but am only just now posting. I hope they are in better shape now.
— Submitted October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,447 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
