Stumbling Stones on Columbia Pike - Thornton and Daniel Check

A ceremony to honor two formerly enslaved citizens of Arlington was held at the northeast corner of S. Ode Street and Columbia Pike. Two 'stumbling stones' marking the lives of Thornton and Daniel Cheek were unveiled.  Representatives from the Arlington Historical Society, the Arlington County Board, and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington spoke about these individuals and the ongoing "Memorializing the Enslaved" project underway in our community. Thanks especially to Tim Aiken, Jessica Kaplan, Dr. Scott Taylor, and Maureen Coffey for their leadership.

From the Arlington Historical Society's outreach materials:

"Daniel Check was born around 1826 in Virginia. He lived in both Arlington and Washington, DC after gaining his freedom in 1855. In 1873, he married Henrietta Baker, and they had one known daughter, Mary H. Check. Daniel’s date of death is unknown, but entries in District of Columbia directories point to his having lived there continuously until 1899.

 Their Story: Brothers, Thornton and Daniel Check, were enslaved by Bazil Williams whose large farm straddled Columbia Pike in what is today the Foxcroft Heights – Arlington View areas of Arlington.  Two additional brothers, Jackson and Lewis, were also enslaved by Williams. Thornton was born around 1820 and Daniel ca. 1826. Their mother’s name is unknown; their father was Emanual Check. 

 Bazil Williams, bought land along Columbia Pike beginning in 1816. His farm grew and by 1830 he enslaved 11 people. At his death in 1854, Williams enslaved roughly 23 individuals.  He freed all but three in his will and gave them each $20 to help them move to Liberia or the Western United States. None of them resettled in Liberia.

Thornton was married to Julia Check, a woman enslaved at neighboring Arlington House. They had two daughters, Catherine and Susan and a son, Henry. In 1864, Thornton enlisted in the 117th US Colored Troops and was discharged a year later. In 1878, he entered the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers near Dayton, OH, where he died in 1889. He was buried at the Soldiers Home Cemetery.

Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington seeks to shed light upon these early Americans who contributed so much to the economic, social, and cultural development of our county.       

These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country).  The markers are placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where these enslaved people lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1045 by name."

May their lives and memory ever be for a blessing.

The stumbling stones being place din our community are inspired by the Stolperssteine project begun by German artist Gunter Demnig to mark the lives of Jews who were murdered or displaced during the Nazi regime in World War II.

Photography by Lloyd Wolf.

County Board Member JD Spain

Time Aiken

Jessica Kaplan

Dr, Scott Taylor

Craig Syphax

County Board member Maureen Coffey