Born around 1815 in Richmond, Virginia, 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.
Throughout Agnes’s life, she was charged with caring for Marshall family children. Around 1833, John Marshall sent Agnes Spurlock, then 18 years old, to serve his son and daughter-in-law at Mont Blanc Plantation in Fauquier County, Virginia, where she cared for his granddaughter. Agnes Spurlock was later given to that granddaughter as part of her dowry when she married and moved to Weyanoke Plantation in Charles City Country, Virginia. She married Moses Hilton and the two continued to work there after emancipation until Agnes’ death in 1901.
Her life story is representative of the nineteenth century African American female experience. Agnes’s long life witnessed the transition from the era of slavery to a post-Civil War society. Though the record of her death refers to her as a “loyal” servant and friend, it is important to recognize the societal structures and limitations placed upon enslaved people in the 1800’s; Agnes was remembered as devoted, but under the laws of slavery she had no other option. Even after emancipation there were very few opportunities for the formerly enslaved. Many newly freed people maintained similar roles within the same household. Agnes’ story reflects a common thread of resilience and adaptation in the face of systemic challenges.
