“The African-American Experience in Isle of Wight County”

The online exhibit at the Isle of Wight County Museum “highlights historical records as well as notable individuals and groups ​with photographs and items from the museum’s collection….The first recorded black property owner in Isle of Wight County was Peter Beacock. In 1772, he purchased 50 acres of land from Joseph and Anne Goodrich….By 1860, there were 1,370 free blacks living in Isle of Wight County. Many who owned property and ran businesses were lumbermen, farmers or watermen….​On Sept. 1, 1864, it was documented that several free blacks traveled from Fortress Monroe to sail to Smithfield for the purpose of collecting their families, and on July 4, 1865, a boat of former slaves traveled from Fortress Monroe to the foot of South Church Street to celebrate Independence Day.”
“The African-American Experience in Isle of Wight County,” Isle of Wight County Museum, accessed July 5, 2021