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

Iron for Corn

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. Iron for Corn Marker

Inscription. For the first years at Jamestown, the English needed food from the natives in order to survive. The Powhatans for their part sought the colonists’ commercial goods: iron tools and pots, hatchets and knives, bells and glass beads.

Exchanges could be forceful or friendly. The Powhatans sometimes offered corn and other staples as a gift; at other times, they refused contact, or attacked those who had come to trade.

The English wrote home of successful trading, yet on occasion they stole or raided at gunpoint.

Erected by Colonial National Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era.

Location. 37° 12.161′ N, 76° 44.283′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, Virginia, in James City County. Marker is on Loop Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on Jamestown Island, along the Loop Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jamestown VA 23081, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Site of Habitation (a few steps from this marker); The Golden Weed (approx. ¼ mile away); Silk Worn and Silk Spun (approx. 0.6 miles away); Virginia’s Vintage (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bowl, Pot, and Pipe

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Glebe Land (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jamestown Island (approx. 0.8 miles away); Early Medical Discoveries (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.

More about this marker. The top of the marker features a picture of Jamestown colonists in a Powhatan village, trading for food.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a virtual tour of markers located along the Loop Drive on Jamestown Island.

Also see . . .
1. Island Loop Drive. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. The site is jointly administered by APVA Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. (Submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker on Jamestown Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Marker on Jamestown Island

The trail to Black Point on the James River can be seen to the left of the marker.

Black Point Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

3. Black Point Trail

This trail, which starts near the marker, leads to Black Point on the James River.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

4. Black Point

Black Point was the first part of Jamestown Island seen by the colonists.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 824 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.