Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Africans in Virginia

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

1. First Africans in Virginia Marker

Inscription. The first documented Africans in Virginia arrived here in Aug. 1619 on the White Lion, an English privateer based in the Netherlands. Colonial officials traded food for these “20 and odd” Africans, who had been captured from a Portuguese slave ship. Among present-day Hampton’s earliest African residents were Antony and Isabella. Their son, William, was the first child of African ancestry known to have been born in Virginia (ca. 1624). Many of the earliest Africans were held as slaves, but some individuals became free. A legal framework for hereditary, lifelong slavery in Virginia evolved during the 1600s. The United States abolished slavery in 1865.

Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-96.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • 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° 0.062′ N, 76° 18.492′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. Marker is on Fenwick Road, 0.2 miles east of Ingalls Road. The marker is located at Engineer Wharf Fishing

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Pier parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Monroe History (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Monroe Seawall History (within shouting distance of this marker); Notable Locations in the Hampton Roads (within shouting distance of this marker); Engineer Wharf (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Retreat / Courtesies (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Monroe Seawall History (about 300 feet away); Lantaka (about 400 feet away); Spanish 1-½ Pounder (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Also see . . .
1. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “First Africans in Virginia” (Submitted on February 12, 2019.)

2. Fort Monroe (Stone Fort) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (pdf file). (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
3. Fort Monroe National Monument, National Park Service. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)

Additional keywords. human trafficking

Photographed By Brandon D Cross

2. First Africans in Virginia Marker

National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, August 15, 2018

3. First Africans in Virginia Marker

Viewing north towards marker and Fenwick Road.

Nearby walking tour sign for the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2021

4. Nearby walking tour sign for the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on August 19, 2019. 4. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.