Month of Terror: The British Burning of Chesterfield and the Destruction of the Virginia State Navy

Chesterfield County was a military target in the Revolutionary War and in April 1781 the British Armies, led by Generals Benedict Arnold, William Phillips, and Lord Cornwallis, came to destroy Chesterfield County’s ability to support the rebellion against King George III and England. By the end of one month half the county was burned, farms devastated, and men killed defending the community.  The biggest loss was the complete destruction of the Virginia State Navy at Osborn’s Landing who were guarding the tobacco and goods being used to pay for French, Spanish, and Dutch war supplies.

Date: Friday, April 28

Time: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $12 per adult; Henricus Members: Free

Location: Henricus Education Center (first floor of the Administration Building)

Register for the lecture here!