| A History of African-Americans in Middlesex County 1646 - 1992 by Tommy L. Bogger, Ph.D. and The Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee |
This book is no longer available for sale. There is a reference copy at the museum.
The Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee was organized in 1980
under the leadership of Rev. Robert Brown for the purpose of presenting
annual programs in recognition of African-American History Month. From
1981 to 1990, our observances were based on the themes of the Association
for the Study of Negro Life and History. The choirs of Virginia State
University, Virginia Union University, St. Paul's College, Norfolk State
University, Hampton University, Howard University, and Fayetteville State
Teacher's College made appearances over the years and greatly added to
the cultural enrichment of the occasions. Local talents performed also, as we
proudly spotlighted some of our most gifted in a wide variety of roles.
Interwoven in the programs were tidbits of history depicting the
achievements of local and nationally-known African-Americans. The
enthusiastic response of the audiences made us realize that local citizens
were hungry for more information on early blacks in Middlesex. Something
had to be done; especially because African-Americans had been in the
county for over three hundred years, and our institutions and elderly residents
were gradually slipping away. Thus, we decided to collect what data was
available and write our own history.
Oral history sources and written histories were consulted, and so were
published and unpublished works as we strove to leave no stone unturned in
our effort to identify all possible sources of information. The local library, and
state and college libraries and archives were visited. Many days were spent
in the Middlesex County courthouse pouring over deed books, will books,
order books, supervisors' minute books, and voting and tax records. Elderly
residents throughout the county were interviewed, and family histories
identified and collected. Churches, cemeteries, local businesses, and the
national archives also yielded useful historical data.
In November 1990, three scholars, and representatives of the Virginia
Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy (VFHPP) met with our
committee, and reviewed the work that we had done. Following that
conference, Dr. Tommy Bogger of Norfolk State University was added to our
committee as a consultant. We applied to the VFHPP for a grant, and we
were funded.
This book is the fruit of our labor of several years. We hope that it will be
of long lasting value to county residents, and those who have an interest in the
history of our county's African-American population. Hopefully, the book will
help the young people in our county to develop more pride and self-esteem,
for too many do not seem to know who they are, from whence they came, or
the rich legacy of achievement which their forefathers have contributed to the
development of the county.
This book at times might evoke despair as it recalls the horrors of slavery
and social and economic proscription, but it will also reflect hope and
optimism, for the history of black Middlesaxons is a story of survival,
overcoming great odds. It will show mankind at his very best. In spite of
obstacles, we maintained our families, secured an education, improved
ourselves politically, and learned to tolerate and work with others.
The Committee is grateful for the grant from the Virginia Foundation for
the Humanities and Public Policy, and wishes to thank all who helped to bring
this work to completion.
Easter Duster Holmes and Wilma J. Powell
under the leadership of Rev. Robert Brown for the purpose of presenting
annual programs in recognition of African-American History Month. From
1981 to 1990, our observances were based on the themes of the Association
for the Study of Negro Life and History. The choirs of Virginia State
University, Virginia Union University, St. Paul's College, Norfolk State
University, Hampton University, Howard University, and Fayetteville State
Teacher's College made appearances over the years and greatly added to
the cultural enrichment of the occasions. Local talents performed also, as we
proudly spotlighted some of our most gifted in a wide variety of roles.
Interwoven in the programs were tidbits of history depicting the
achievements of local and nationally-known African-Americans. The
enthusiastic response of the audiences made us realize that local citizens
were hungry for more information on early blacks in Middlesex. Something
had to be done; especially because African-Americans had been in the
county for over three hundred years, and our institutions and elderly residents
were gradually slipping away. Thus, we decided to collect what data was
available and write our own history.
Oral history sources and written histories were consulted, and so were
published and unpublished works as we strove to leave no stone unturned in
our effort to identify all possible sources of information. The local library, and
state and college libraries and archives were visited. Many days were spent
in the Middlesex County courthouse pouring over deed books, will books,
order books, supervisors' minute books, and voting and tax records. Elderly
residents throughout the county were interviewed, and family histories
identified and collected. Churches, cemeteries, local businesses, and the
national archives also yielded useful historical data.
In November 1990, three scholars, and representatives of the Virginia
Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy (VFHPP) met with our
committee, and reviewed the work that we had done. Following that
conference, Dr. Tommy Bogger of Norfolk State University was added to our
committee as a consultant. We applied to the VFHPP for a grant, and we
were funded.
This book is the fruit of our labor of several years. We hope that it will be
of long lasting value to county residents, and those who have an interest in the
history of our county's African-American population. Hopefully, the book will
help the young people in our county to develop more pride and self-esteem,
for too many do not seem to know who they are, from whence they came, or
the rich legacy of achievement which their forefathers have contributed to the
development of the county.
This book at times might evoke despair as it recalls the horrors of slavery
and social and economic proscription, but it will also reflect hope and
optimism, for the history of black Middlesaxons is a story of survival,
overcoming great odds. It will show mankind at his very best. In spite of
obstacles, we maintained our families, secured an education, improved
ourselves politically, and learned to tolerate and work with others.
The Committee is grateful for the grant from the Virginia Foundation for
the Humanities and Public Policy, and wishes to thank all who helped to bring
this work to completion.
Easter Duster Holmes and Wilma J. Powell
| The Foreword |