A Momentous Gathering

On April 11, 2015, the first gathering of descendants was held in conjunction with a large, public program to promote the Reclaim Your Story project and launch the Enslaved Community Database. Many descendants of formerly enslaved people gathered to commemorate their ancestors and share stories. Kevin, who is descended from Sophia (Moton) and Jacob Howard, was the keynote speaker. The event included partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun and the Loudoun Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee to dedicate two Civil War Trails markers about enslaved people at Oatlands and those who started their new lives after emancipation at Gleedsville. 

Descendants Making a Difference

Marc B. Johnson, descended from the Buchanans, Valentines, and Johnsons, was the keynote speaker at the church in Gleedsville. Built in 1890, often by candlelight after a long day’s work, the church was originally Mt. Olive Methodist Episcopal Church. The Civil War Trails marker at Oatlands has since been replaced with an updated marker to the people enslaved here.

Descendants and their extended communities gather each year at Oatlands to connect, share family stories, learn, and educate.