Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Hargrove's Tavern

Photographed By James Thomson

1. Hargrove's Tavern Marker Closeup

Inscription. On 10 May 1779, during the Revolutionary War, a British expeditionary force commanded by Gen. Edward Matthews disembarked in Portsmouth to capture the major Tidewater Virginia towns. About 200 Nansemond County militia under Col. Willis Riddick immediately assembled in Suffolk and marched toward Portsmouth. While the main body camped about a mile west on the night of 11 May, Capt. King and Capt. Davis came here to Hargrove's Tavern. After a British advance party surprised them and killed Davis, King hastened to warn the Virginia camp. The militia retreated to Suffolk and later dispersed as the enemy approached. The British burned Suffolk on 13 May.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-270.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1779.

Location. 36° 49.438′ N, 76° 29.779′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. Marker is on Nansemond Parkway (Virginia Route 337), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4400 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk VA 23435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Glebe Church (a few steps from this marker); Bennett's Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Glebe Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. ¼ mile away); Yeates School (approx. ¼ mile away); Florence Graded School (approx. ¼ mile away); James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier (approx. half a mile away); James Bowser Plantation (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

More about this marker. The inscription for Hargrove’s Tavern (K-270) is almost identical to the one for Revolutionary Camp (K-254). Both markers give an account of the same four days in May 1779 with slight variances in details. See the illustration below, “A Comparative of K-270 and K-254.”

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Hargrove's Tavern Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Thomson

2. Hargrove's Tavern Marker

A Comparative of K-270 and K-254. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cynthia L. Clark

3. A Comparative of K-270 and K-254.

These photos of K-270 (Hargrove’s Tavern) and K-254 (Revolutionary Camp) were taken on 08/31/2011 and 09/24/2017, respectively. Their inscriptive variances are highlighted in orange.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 1,957 times since then and 96 times this year. Last updated on November 19, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 14, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. 3. submitted on November 19, 2017, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.