Colonel Crawford Statue

Corner of High and Crawford Streets •

In front of the Towne Bank building you will see the statue of Portsmouth’s founder, Colonel William Crawford  In 2006 Towne Bank commissioned Portsmouth sculptor, Sue Landerman to create a likeness of Crawford which faces the location of his old plantation house.  He was most likely born in Norfolk County since his parents and grandparents lived there.  In 1752 William Crawford founded Portsmouth on 65 acres of his extensive property. He was appointed Sheriff for Norfolk County by the Royal Governor. He also served as the presiding justice of the Norfolk City Court, a Lt. Colonel of the county militia, and a member of the House of Burgesses for nearly 30 years. Col. Crawford died in 1762 but his grave was never found. Three skeletons were found under the BB&T building which would have been his property.