The Slave Have Names

Presented by African American Genealogical and History Society

ANDThe Fluvanna County Historical Society

The Bremo PlantationsLocated in

Bremo Bluff on the James River

Privately owned by descendants of the original owner, John Hartwell Cocke

The Power of WordsSlave

Enslaved

Which do you prefer? Why?

My use of words

Timeline of Bremo’s Enslaved Community

Slaves came to Bremo in 1725 to clear land and build hunting lodge

First slaves living at Bremo in 1781

Enslaved there until 1865

Some families continued to live on the property for 2-3 years after Emancipation

Facts about Bremo’s Enslaved Community

At least 246 people were enslaved there over the 84 years slaves worked in Bremo

Most were several generations removed from Africa

Many, many of the enslaved families worked for the Cockes for many generations

Treatment of SlavesRelatively well-

treated.

Taught to read and write.

Given clothing

Given time off

Provided medical care

They were still property

Whipped

Sold

Banished

Owned – no freedom

Skilled WorkersTeachers

Blacksmiths

Carpenters

Cobblers

Stone masons

Their WorkAll done by hand.

The Upper Bremo BarnA working barn but

also a training spaceNotice the columns

and arches

“Honeymoon” Cottage,

or a former slave house

The Overseer’s House

School for Enslaved Children

Another View of the School

A Wall Built by Enslaved Men

The “Hotel”

“Hotel” Stairs

Bremo Recess

Lower Bremo

Remains of Slave House at Lower Bremo

Slave CemeteryOver 100 people are buried here

We think there at least one other cemetery, but it’s yet to be found.

Ben Creasy’s Gravestone

Jesse Nicholas’s Gravestone

Primus Randall’s Gravestone

Genealogy – A Quick List The genealogies of African Americans in the 19th century is

hard.

Try to go back as far as you can with who knew who.

Use marriage records, land records, court records – all in the county clerk’s office.

Ask people what they remember.

Hire a genealogist.

Post on message forums.

Use church records.

Talk to folks in CVHR - http://www.centralvirginiahistory.org/

Feel free to email me – andilit@gmail.com

Many ThanksCreasy Family

Skipwith Family

Cocke Family

AAGHS

Fluvanna Co. Historical Society

Central Virginia History Researchers

All the descendants

All of you

My Deepest Thanks

To all the people enslaved at Bremo, for your work, your lives, and your stories.

Primus, Ben, Lucy, Jesse, Lucy, Malvina, Nelson, Oliver, James, Peyton, Minerva, Berthier . . And the 222 more of you whose names I know . . . And the countless others whose names I’ve yet to find.

Questions?Andi will be available to talk, answer questions, and sell/sign

books after the presentation.