On Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) at Orchard Road (County Route 607), on the right when traveling east on Patrick Henry Highway.
(Obverse)
Prince Edward County
Area 356 square miles
Formed in 1753 from Amelia, and named for Prince Edward, son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and younger brother of King George III. General Joseph E. Johnston was born in this . . . — — Map (db m31041) HM
On Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) at Twin Lakes Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling west on Patrick Henry Highway.
Prince Edward State Park for Negroes was established in 1950 one mile west on the site of the former Prince Edward Lake Recreation Area for Negroes. Maceo C. Martin, an African American from Danville, sued the state when he was denied access to . . . — — Map (db m31040) HM
On Darlington Heights Road (County Route 665) at Douglas Church Road, on the right when traveling west on Darlington Heights Road.
Rev. Dr. Vernon Johns was born here in Darlington Heights on 22 April 1892. A graduate of Oberlin College, Johns was an orator of great renown and the first African-American minister included in Best Sermons of the Year (1926), an . . . — — Map (db m54440) HM
On College Road (County Route 692) 0.3 miles south of Five Forks Road (County Route 658), on the right when traveling south.
You are standing near the site of the original campus of Hampden-Sydney College, which stood on the knoll to your right (see artist reconstruction above). Hampden-Sydney began classes on November 10, 1775, the last college founded in Colonial . . . — — Map (db m54486) HM
Near River Road (County Route 600) at Jamestown Road (County Route 657), on the left when traveling south.
Engineer Department Activities
The High Bridge fortifications were built, in part, with the help of area free men of color who were conscripted for Confederate service. The Confederate Congress authorized the draft of free men of color to . . . — — Map (db m83638) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 15) at 4th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Beulah African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was founded in 1868. Originally, it was known as The Colored Methodist Church of Farmville. The original wooden-framed building was destroyed, by fire in 1898. The cornerstone on the present . . . — — Map (db m31318) HM
Near River Road (County Route 600) at Jamestown Road (County Route 657), on the left when traveling south.
Veteran, war-worn, French speaking "chic creoles" of the Donaldsonville Artillery detachment of 43 Louisiana Creole Canonniers received orders to guard High Bridge by the Lynchburg Confederate Military District Commander Francis T. Nicholls, a . . . — — Map (db m83637) HM
On Farmville Road (U.S. 15) at Worsham Road (County Route 665), on the right when traveling north on Farmville Road.
In 1781, British Gen. Charles Cornwallis ordered cavalry commander Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton to raid Southside Virginia to seize or destroy private and public supplies of ammunition, clothing, and food. On 9 July, Tarleton left Cobham in Surry . . . — — Map (db m31340) HM
On Randolph Street at High Street (County Route 643), on the left when traveling south on Randolph Street.
1861 Virginia 1865
Defenders of State "Sovereignty".
Confederate Heroes
Erected by
Confederate Veterans
and the Daughters
of the Confederacy
Oct. 11, 1900.
List of companies organized
In the county 1861.
Company F 18th. . . . — — Map (db m31311) HM
On High Street (County Route 643) at Venable Street, on the right when traveling east on High Street.
On this site was the home of
Dr. William W. H. Thackston
1820-1899
A distinguished pioneer dentist who practiced
his profession in Farmville
for more than fifty-five years
A founder of
The Virginia Society of Surgeon . . . — — Map (db m31317) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 45), on the left when traveling north.
The Confederate army marched through this tobacco town, followed by the Union army. Lee hoped to issue rations to his men here before turning south but was forced to flee across the Appomattox River. Grant sent his first dispatch to Lee concerning . . . — — Map (db m11855) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 45), on the right when traveling south.
Half-starved and exhausted, the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia stumbled into Farmville early on the morning of April 7, 1865. Here, at last, the men found long-promised rations – everything from bread to soup and ham. While the head . . . — — Map (db m11858) HM
Near High Street (County Route 643) south of St George Street.
Founded on March 5, 1839 as the Farmville Female Seminary Association, Longwood is one of the oldest colleges originally for women in the country. In 1842 the cornerstone was laid for the first true college building, which is today known as . . . — — Map (db m31316) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 15) at 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1866 as an outgrowth of the predominantly white Farmville Baptist Church. In 1949, following the death of the Rev. C. H. Griffin, the Church voted unanimously to call his son, L. Francis Griffin, as . . . — — Map (db m31310) HM
On High Street (County Route 643) at Buffalo Street, on the right when traveling east on High Street.
Longwood College, formerly known as the State Female Normal School, is the only U.S. school where four national sororities were founded. Kappa Delta, founded on 23 Oct. 1897, was the first sorority organized in Virginia. The sorority with the . . . — — Map (db m31313) HM
On West 3rd Street (Business U.S. 15) at Layne Street (County Route 695), on the right when traveling east on West 3rd Street.
Just to the west lies Israel Hill, settled in 1810-1811 by approximately ninety formerly enslaved persons who received freedom and 350 acres from Judith Randolph under the will of her husband, Richard Randolph, cousin of Thomas Jefferson. These . . . — — Map (db m28041) HM
Near Farmville Road (U.S. 15) at Kingsville Road (Virginia Route 133), on the left when traveling south.
An Episcopal church, built in 1757, formerly stood one-eighth of a mile east of here. According to tradition, a detachment of Rochambeau's army wintered here after the Battle of Yorktown, and seventy French soldiers were buried in the church yard. . . . — — Map (db m31333) HM
On College Road (County Route 692) 0.3 miles south of Five Forks Road (County Route 658), on the right when traveling south.
When Samuel Stanhope Smith, our first president, named the College after English anti-Royalists, he clearly agreed with Patrick Henry’s revolutionary vision. Thus it was logical that Henry should be elected a Founding Trustee in November 1775, . . . — — Map (db m54480) HM
On College Road (County Route 692) 0.3 miles south of Five Forks Road (County Route 658), on the right when traveling south.
Hampden-Sydney College, in continuous operation since November 10, 1775, was established “to form good men and good citizens.” One of the few remaining all-male colleges, it was named for John Hampden (1594-1643) and Algernon Sydney . . . — — Map (db m31324) HM
On College Road (County Route 692) near Via Sacra (County Route 1001), on the right when traveling north.
Hampden-Sydney College, in continuous operation since 10 Nov. 1775, was established "to form good men and good Citizens." It was named for John Hampden (1594-1643) and Algernon Sydney (1622-1683), champions of parliamentary rule in England. Patrick . . . — — Map (db m31334) HM
On Farmville Road (U.S. 15) at Worsham Road (County Route 665), on the right when traveling north on Farmville Road.
This site served as the county seat when Prince Edward County was founded in 1754. The original courthouse constructed soon thereafter was replaced in 1776. The last courthouse here was built in 1832. The former debtors' prison built in 1787 and the . . . — — Map (db m31342) HM
On Farmville Road (U.S. 15) at Kingsville Road (Virginia Route 133), on the right when traveling south on Farmville Road.
Here, before the Revolution, stood King's Tavern. The British cavalryman, Tarleton, raiding, camped here in 1781. In the same year sick and wounded French soldiers were brought to this place from Yorktown; seventy of them are buried here. Nearby is . . . — — Map (db m31332) HM
On Johnston Drive 0.1 miles south of Longwood Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Property acquired 1765 by Peter Johnston. Home of Peter Johnston, Jr., Lieutenant in Lee's Legion and judge of Circuit Court of Virginia. Birthplace of General Joseph E. Johnston.
Purchased 1811 by Abraham B. Venable, U.S. senator; organizer . . . — — Map (db m31301) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 15) at Franklin Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
The college opened here in October 1884 as a "state female normal school". In 1914 the name was changed to "State Normal School for Women at Farmville"; In 1924 to "State Teachers College at Farmville"; In 1949 to "Longwood College". Conferring the . . . — — Map (db m29162) HM
On Johnston Drive 0.1 miles south of Longwood Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Peter Johnston (1763-1831)--jurist, Speaker of the House of Delegates (1805-1807), and father of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston--inherited Longwood estate from his father. He sold the property after he became a judge on the General Court of . . . — — Map (db m31290) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 15) at Redford Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Reported missing.
Longwood University is a state-supported institution developed from the privately owned Farmville Female Seminary that was incorporated in 1839. In 1884, it became a public institution when the Commonwealth acquired the property and renamed it the . . . — — Map (db m29164) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 15) at 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
(Main Street Side): Once named Bizarre in 1736, Farmville was established as a town in 1798. From the town's formation, tobacco was a major factor in its prosperity. The numerous warehouses along the Main Street corridor represent Farmville's . . . — — Map (db m31352) HM
On Via Sacra (County Route 1001) near College Road (County Route 692), on the left when traveling west.
The first Presbyterian seminary in the South was established here in 1812 as the Theology Department of Hampden-Sydney College. It became independent of the college in 1822. After the synods of Virginia and North Carolina assumed joint ownership in . . . — — Map (db m31335) HM
Near Zion Hill Road (County Route 628) 0.1 miles east of McClendon Drive.
In 1954, after the Supreme Court ruled in Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka, that United States schools must integrate, Senator Harry S. Byrd and several Virginia governors followed the policy of “massive resistance.” . . . — — Map (db m31321) HM
On Farmville Road (U.S. 15) at Worsham Road (County Route 665), on the right when traveling north on Farmville Road.
Two miles east is the Glebe House where the Rev. Archibald McRoberts lived during the Revolution. Tarleton, raiding through this section in July, 1781, set fire to the house, but a timely rain put out the flames. Accordingly, the place was named . . . — — Map (db m31339) HM
On this site of the former R.R. Moton High School, the actions of some brave African-American students to achieve equal educational opportunities for blacks eventually led to the end of legal segregation in American public schools.
Moton . . . — — Map (db m31319) HM
Just to the west was the medical school of John Peter Mettauer, which became a branch of Randolph-Macon College in 1847. It was discontinued, probably in 1861. Dr. Mettauer, one of the leading surgeons of the day, practiced until his death in 1875. — — Map (db m19805) HM
On South Main Street (U.S. 15) at Griffin Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
On this site 4-23-51, the students staged a strike protesting inadequate school facilities. Led by Rev. L. Francis Griffin, these students' actions became a part of the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ruled . . . — — Map (db m31320) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 45) at East Second Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
Here stood the hotel where General U.S. Grant made his headquarters April 7, 1865, and opened correspondence with General R.E. Lee which terminated in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House two days later. From the . . . — — Map (db m30252) HM
On Farmville Road (U.S. 15) 0.8 miles south of Worsham Road (County Route 665), on the right when traveling south.
To the west is the estate of Nathaniel Venable (1733-1804), Slate Hill Plantation. He was a prominent citizen of Prince Edward County, serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1766 to 1768. During the Revolutionary War, he was a member of the . . . — — Map (db m31343) HM
Near College Road (County Route 692) near Via Sacra (County Route 1001).
In 1775, the Session of Hanover Presbytery met in this building, the law office of Nathaniel Venable, to lay final plans for the establishment of Hampden-Sydney College. The building was erected between 1737 and 1756 on Venable’s Plantation, . . . — — Map (db m31338) HM
Near River Road (County Route 600) at Jamestown Road (County Route 657), on the left when traveling south.
“There have been higher bridges not so long and longer bridges not so high, but taking the height and length together, this is, perhaps, the largest bridge in the world.”
-C.O. Sanford, South Side Railroad’s chief engineer,1852
In . . . — — Map (db m83636) HM
On Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) at Tower Road (County Route 623), on the right when traveling west on Patrick Henry Highway.
Blanche Kelso Bruce, African American political leader, was born into slavery south of here on 1 Mar. 1841. He grew up in Virginia, Mississippi, and Missouri before escaping slavery during the Civil War. In 1869 Bruce moved back to Mississippi and . . . — — Map (db m41699) HM
On Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) at Tower Road (County Route 623), on the right when traveling west on Patrick Henry Highway.
A short distance west is the site of Camp Gallion, home from 1933 to 1941 of Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1390. This all-African American company performed extensive work in the present-day Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest. Company 1390 . . . — — Map (db m31039) HM
On Green Bay Road (County Route 696) at County Route 612 on Green Bay Road.
On this site prior to 1745 the Church of England’s
Raleigh Parish established Sandy River Chapel.
Construction was completed on a new wooden
church by 1765, some of which is believed to
survive within the present building. In 1782 . . . — — Map (db m107527) HM
On Moores Ordinary Road (Virginia Route 728) at Stagecoach Road (County Route 630), on the left when traveling west on Moores Ordinary Road.
In June 1864, to deny Gen. Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side R.R. and the Richmond and Danville R.R., Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. James H. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destroy track and rolling . . . — — Map (db m19257) HM
On County Route 657 at Prince Edward Highway (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling north on County Route 657.
To the five who lost their lives on March 13, 1951, "...we feel joy that those precious and so dear were allowed to stop by here, even so briefly..." G.L. Brooks, "Gone But Not Forgotten," 2009 On March 13, 1951, five African American children from . . . — — Map (db m31781) HM
On Sulphur Spring Road (County Route 657) at Oak Hill Road (County Route 615), on the right when traveling west on Sulphur Spring Road.
According to local tradition, the Sulphur Spring Baptist Church was founded in 1867, when services were held in a brush arbor. During the Reconstruction period, formerly enslaved African Americans formed congregations throughout the South similar to . . . — — Map (db m54442) HM
On Prince Edward Highway (U.S. 460) at Pisgah Church Road (County Route 735), on the right when traveling east on Prince Edward Highway.
During the night of 6-7 April 1865, part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia crossed the South Side Railroad's High Bridge three miles north of here as Union armies under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pursued closely. After the last . . . — — Map (db m31288) HM
On Saylers Creek Road (Virginia Route 617), on the right when traveling south.
(Front):Battles of Sailors Creek
April 6, 1865 "My God! Has the army been dissolved?" General R. E. Lee
Hillsman's Farm US 442 CS 3400 Marshall's Crossroads US 172 CS 2600 Lockett's Farm (Double Bridges) US 536 CS 1700
Totals include . . . — — Map (db m11798) HM
On Prince Edward Highway (U.S. 460) at Pisgah Church Road (County Route 735), on the right when traveling west on Prince Edward Highway.
Six miles north took place the battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865. Lee's army, retreating westward from Amelia Courthouse to Farmville by way of Deatonsville, was attacked by Sheridan, who surrounded Ewell's Corps. After a fierce action the . . . — — Map (db m31287) HM
On Prince Edward Hwy (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling west.
About 900 Union infantry and cavalry were sent from Burkeville to burn this South Side Railroad trestle over the Appomattox River. Pursued by Confederate cavalry in the engagement which followed nearby, their bridge-burning mission failed and most . . . — — Map (db m11819) HM
On Prince Edward Hwy (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling west.
Just northeast of here, on the afternoon of April 6, 1865, a Union detachment tried and failed to burn High Bridge – where the South Side Railroad crossed the Appomattox River – and restrict the Confederate retreat to the south side of . . . — — Map (db m11820) HM
On Virginia Route 619, on the right when traveling south.
In this ground, the Confederate column and wagon train became bogged down while crossing Sailor’s Creek. The Union forces in pursuit then assailed the Southerners and captured a large number of prisoners and wagons before darkness put an end to the . . . — — Map (db m11808) HM
On Lockett Road (County Route 619) 1.4 miles west of James Town Road (County Route 618), on the left when traveling west.
Late in the afternoon of April 6, 1865, the Confederate wagon train that had passed Holt’s Corner and then turned south at James S. Lockett’s farm toward Rice’s Station began crossing the two bridges here, across Little Sailor’s Creek and Big . . . — — Map (db m117559) HM
On Saylers Creek Road (Virginia Route 617), on the left when traveling south.
On Thursday, April 6, 1865, this high ground above Little Sailor’s Creek was protected by troops from the Richmond fortifications under Confederate General Richard S. Ewell. They hurriedly threw up a line of breastworks consisting of fence rails and . . . — — Map (db m11793) HM
On Prince Edward Highway (U.S. 460) at County Route 640, on the right when traveling west on Prince Edward Highway.
One mile north stood the Southside Railroad Bridge, spanning the 75-foot-wide Appomattox River. On 6 April, 1865, nine hundred Union soldiers attempting to burn the 2500-foot-long, 126-foot-high structure were captured by Confederate cavalry. . . . — — Map (db m10221) HM
On Holly Farms Road (County Route 307) west of Sailers Creek Road (County Route 617), on the left when traveling west.
Two miles north are the battlefields of Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865. There Grant captured more men than were captured in any other one day's field engagement of the war. — — Map (db m10222) HM
On Virginia Route 619, on the right when traveling south.
Here, around the home of James S. Lockett, desperate fighting occurred near sundown on April 6, 1865, when the Union corps commanded by Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys almost overwhelmed Gen. John B. Gordon’s Confederate corps. The house, just across the . . . — — Map (db m11804) HM
On Virginia Route 619, on the right when traveling south.
While Confederate troops were attempting to cross Sailor’s Creek on the bridges below, the fighting between the two forces began here and continued into the bottomlands. After the battle, James Lockett’s bullet-ridden house was then pressed into . . . — — Map (db m11805) HM
On Saylers Creek Road (Virginia Route 617), on the right when traveling south.
Union cavalry found Confederate infantry posted here along the road to Rice’s Depot. While others fought along Little Sailor’s Creek at Hillsman’s farm, the horse soldiers attacked this portion of Lee’s army which eventually withdrew from the field . . . — — Map (db m11794) HM
On Holly Farms Road (Route 307) west of Sailers Creek Road, on the left when traveling west.
(Front): Prince Edward County Area 356 Square Miles Formed from Amelia, and named for Prince Edward, son of Frederick, prince of Wales, and younger brother of King George III. General Joseph E. Johnston was born in this county; . . . — — Map (db m10223) HM
On 600 at Virginia Route 735, on the left when traveling south on 600.
Confederate troops began entrenching on the high ground across the road from Burkesville Junction. Upon the approach of the Union army, the forces skirmished briefly until darkness ended the fighting. General Lee headquartered here before his march . . . — — Map (db m11814) HM
On U.S. 600 at U.S. 735, on the left when traveling south on U.S. 600.
Gen. James Longstreet’s corps, leading the Confederate retreat westward, reached Rice’s Depot along the South Side Railroad and entrenched on April 6, 1865, while the Battle of Sailor’s Creek raged to the east. Here Longstreet guarded the road from . . . — — Map (db m11829) HM
On Virginia Route 619, on the left when traveling south.
Here Lee fought his last battle, April 6, 1865. Ewell almost won a great vic- tory but was overwhelmed by Sheridan. Nottoway Chapter U.D.C. 1928 — — Map (db m11806) HM
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