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# Voices Remembered: History Speaks in Present Tense

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://voicesremembered.org/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [Volunteer](https://voicesremembered.org/volunteer/): It takes a lot of work to preserve Black history in Virginia. You can help!
- [Your Reflections on Black History](https://voicesremembered.org/your-reflections-on-black-history/): Note: Not all stories submitted will be featured by Voices Remembered. Please allow 8 weeks before contacting Voices Remembered about your submission.
- [Fellowship](https://voicesremembered.org/fellowship/): Front Row: Lisa Winn Bryan, Sheila Elliott (F25), Marlo Green (F25), Karice Luck-Brimmer (F25)Second Row: Ana Edward, Ian Vaughan (BOD), Carmen Foster (COC), Sonja Branch Wilson (F23), Viola Baskerville (COC), Latoya Gray-Sparks (F23), Brian Brown (Chair, COC/BOD) Michelle Oliver (F24), Horace Scruggs (F24), and James Harrison (F24)
- [Resources](https://voicesremembered.org/resources/): Community Conversation Around Voices Remembered - Voice, Tone, Mission
- [Terms & Conditions](https://voicesremembered.org/terms-conditions/): Welcome to voicesremembered.org (the “Site”). By using this Site, you agree to these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
- [Contact Us](https://voicesremembered.org/contact-us/): Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. or Phone Email Name *FirstLastEmail *PhoneComment or Message *Send Message
- [About Us](https://voicesremembered.org/about-us/): Mission Voices Remembered is amplifying the historic stories and places meaningful to Black life in Virginia. We are conducting new research, expanding existing knowledge, educating Black preservationists, and ensuring communities reap the benefits of their history. As we expand our work with partners and allies, we will tell a more accurate story of Virginia’s past for generations to come. Vision We envision a future where important Black stories are fully embraced in the history and culture of Virginia — through our public policy, our public spaces, and in our collective memories. What we value: Creating sustainable and equitable economic benefit for communities essential to Virginia’s Black history Developing long-term strategies for preserving historic Black stories and places Actively listening to understand our communities Sharing tools & knowledge — by both providing access to our own and elevating others’ Remaining open to learning
- [Privacy Policy](https://voicesremembered.org/privacy-policy/): Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and how you can contact us with questions.
- [Home](https://voicesremembered.org/): Voices remembered — an initiative of Preservation Virginia — is dedicated to amplifying the historic stories and places meaningful to Black life in Virginia. We are conducting new research, expanding existing knowledge, educating Black preservationists, and ensuring communities reap the benefits of their history.

## Stories
- [Littleton Owens](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/littleton-owens/): On January 1, 1864, Littleton Owens enlisted in the Second Regiment of the U.S. Colored Cavalry in Company C at Fort Monroe. Born in Princess Anne County, this 23-year old with “black eyes and black hair” standing 5’ 8” would begin a life-long career in service to his country.
- [Willis Augustus Hodges: Cape Henry Lighthouse’s First African American Lighthouse Keeper](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/willis-augustus-hodges-cape-henry-lighthouses-first-african-american-lighthouse-keeper/): Willis Augustus Hodges served as the first African American lighthouse keeper at the Cape Henry Lighthouse from May 10 to July 26, 1870.
- [Israel](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/israel/): Israel’s repeated attempts to self emancipate loom large amongst the surviving documentary evidence of resistance at the John Marshall House. John Marshall purchased Israel’s life and labor for £55 in April, 1787. 
- [Henry Stanard](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/henry-stanard/): Henry Stanard, born around 1805, was described as “of a yellow complexion, and with a flesh mark, and eagle mark in Indian ink on the right arm.” This tattooed man, master chef, and restaurateur likely took charge of his destiny in the decades after John Marshall’s death. 
- [Solomon Travis](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/solomon-travis/): Nancy Drew was born enslaved in 1835 to Claiborne and Annie Drew. In 1853, Nancy married Sam Cooke.
- [Robin Spurlock](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/robin-spurlock/): Based on family oral tradition, Robin Spurlock was given as a wedding gift to John Marshall and his wife Polly in 1783. He was responsible for tending to the needs of the Marshall home.
- [Agnes Spurlock Hilton](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/agnes-spurlock-hilton/): Born in Richmond, Virginia, around 1815, Agnes was the daughter of Robin Spurlock; both were enslaved by John Marshall. Over the course of her life, Agnes was moved between various Marshall family homes. In total, she witnessed five generations of the family.
- [John Hardy, Carter Hardy, Robertson Simmons, and Bolling Morris](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/john-hardy-carter-hardy-robertson-simmons-and-bolling-morris/): Just 20 years after the end of slavery, four Black men, John Hardy, Carter Hardy, Robertson Simmons and Bolling Morris, purchased the 521 acre Gray’s Creek Farm (today known as Smith’s Fort), for $2,500 (around $88,000 in 2025).
- [Pedro](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/pedro/): Lived at Scotchtown, 1771-1778. His birth and death dates are unknown.
- [Nancy Travis](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/nancy-travis/): Enslaved by the Hankins family at Bacon’s Castle
- [Cordelia Jones Blizzard](https://voicesremembered.org/stories/cordelia-jones/): Cordelia “Delia” Jones was born at Bacon’s Castle in either 1852 or 1854.

## Research
- [Preservation Virginia African American Fellowship, 2025 Cohort](https://voicesremembered.org/research/preservation-virginia-african-american-fellowship-2025-cohort/): Video production by Bundy Films
- [Preservation Virginia African American Fellowship, 2024 Cohort](https://voicesremembered.org/research/preservation-virginia-african-american-fellowship-2024-cohort/): Video production by Bundy Films

## Authors
- [Dr. Lisa Winn Bryan](https://voicesremembered.org/authors/dr-lisa-winn-bryan/)
- [Preservation Virginia](https://voicesremembered.org/authors/preservation-virginia/): Preservation Virginia, a privately-funded, statewide historic preservation leader founded more than 100 years ago, works to ensure the relevancy of the Commonwealth’s historic places.

## Regions
- [Coastal Plain/Tidewater](https://voicesremembered.org/region/coastal-plain-tidewater/)
- [Piedmont](https://voicesremembered.org/region/piedmont/)
- [Richmond](https://voicesremembered.org/region/richmond/)

## Time Periods
- [19th Century](https://voicesremembered.org/time-period/19th-century/)
- [Civil War](https://voicesremembered.org/time-period/civil-war/)
- [Revolutionary War](https://voicesremembered.org/time-period/revolutionary-war/)

## Historic Sites
- [Bacon's Castle](https://voicesremembered.org/historic-site/bacons-castle/)
- [Cape Henry Lighthouse](https://voicesremembered.org/historic-site/cape-henry-lighthouse/)
- [John Marshall House](https://voicesremembered.org/historic-site/john-marshall-house/)
- [Patrick Henry Scotchtown](https://voicesremembered.org/historic-site/patrick-henry-scotchtown/)
- [Smith's Fort](https://voicesremembered.org/historic-site/smiths-fort/)