Jordan''s Point, Virginia: Archaeology in Perspective, Prehistoric to Modern Times

Jordans Point, a nearly triangular promontory in the James River, is situated in Prince George County, just east of the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers. A broad terrace overlooking the James, Jordans Point is bounded by small streams, tidal marshes, and protective uplands that rise to a height of 100 feet or more. In 1607, when the first European colonists saw Jordans Point, it was graced by the homes and cleared fields of natives they would call the Weyanoke. Virginia colonist Samuel Jordan established a community called Jordans Journey around 1621, giving his name to what became known as Jordans Point.

In time, the settlement became a hub of social and political life. By 1660, Jordans Point had come into the possession of the Blands, one of Englands most important mercantile families. They leased their property to one or more of their agents, usually merchants and mariners involved in inter-colonial trade. Richard Bland I and his descendants developed Jordans Point into a family seat and working plantation they retained until after the Civil War. At Jordans Point enslaved men, women, and children toiled in the fields, enabling the Blands to prosper. Richard Bland IV went on to become a distinguished American patriot, and one of his sons became a physician.

Featuring more than one hundred photos and illustrations, most in color, and intended for a general reader, Jordans Point, Virginia: Archaeology in Perspective, Prehistoric to Modern Times tells the story of Jordans Point, which spans thousands of years, through the cultural features that archaeologists have unearthed there. This is a book that will attract readers interested in Native American studies, Virginia and colonial history, and archaeology.

Distributed for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources