Pocomoke Farm
Also known as: Makemie Monument Park; Vdhr #001-0112; 44ac0557
Why it's listed
Pocomoke Farm, also called Makemie Monument Park, is a five-acre parcel of lawn, trees and marsh beside Holden's Creek in Accomack County, Virginia. A bronze statue of Francis Makemie stands on a granite base at its center, and a brick memorial pyramid near the northwest corner commemorates the family graves. The land was assembled by William Anderson, who left it to his daughter Naomi and her husband Makemie in 1698. Makemie, an early ordained Presbyterian minister, organized the first inter-colonial presbytery in Philadelphia in 1706 and was tried and acquitted in New York after preaching without the governor's approval. He died in 1708 and was buried here. In 1908 more than 2,500 people attended the park's dedication. Archaeological testing in 2002 and 2003 uncovered three colonial brick structures, a trash-filled pit and a shell feature, indicating that much of the plantation survives beneath the grass.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is nationally significant as the home and burial place of Francis Makemie, a founder of American Presbyterianism who organized the first inter-colonial presbytery in 1706 and was acquitted in a religious-freedom trial. It is also tied to the large 1908 dedication ceremony. Archaeological testing found colonial brick structures and pits, suggesting strong potential for further information on the Eastern Shore in the late 1600s and early 1700s.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07000054, listed February 15, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7492 Monument Rd., VA 699, Sanford |
|---|---|
| County | Accomack County |
| Listed | February 15, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000054 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | Circa 1681-1708; 1908 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Religion |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained as a memorial park with a statue, memorial pyramid, benches, fencing and a parking and picnic area; archaeological remains lie below ground. |
| Acreage | 3.6 |
| Coordinates | 37.93260, -75.63518 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07000054.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16898631
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.