Stories

  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. Enlisting as a private, Owens […]

Willis Augustus Hodges served as the first African American lighthouse keeper at the Cape Henry Lighthouse from May 10 to July 26, 1870.

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, 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. 

Nancy Drew was born enslaved in 1835 to Claiborne and Annie Drew. In 1853, Nancy married Sam Cooke.

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.

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.

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).

Lived at Scotchtown, 1771-1778. His birth and death dates are unknown.

Enslaved by the Hankins family at Bacon’s Castle