Stumbling Stones Dedication Ceremony for Margaret Brown, "John" and three people whose names are unknown | Alcova Heights

The Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington held a dedication ceremony to honor five individuals once enslaved in the Alcova Heights neighborhood of Arlington, just off Columbia Pike: John, Margaret Brown, and three people whose names are unknown. This Stumbling Stones ceremony took place at Arlington Presbyterian Church, and two unveilings were held after the dedication ceremony at the corner of South Lincoln and 9th Streets and another at the corner of South Randolph and 8th Streets.

From the Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington website hosted by the Arlington Historical Society: "In 1847, William and Elizabeth Berryman bought 34 acres of land by Columbia Pike and South Glebe Road. To build and maintain their farmhouse and cultivate the fields, the Berryman’s enslaved two young men and a woman, all under the age of 25. They cultivated oats, corn, and grains and took care of their home and family. Financial troubles caused the Berryman’s to sell their tract in 1853. What became of their enslaved people is unknown.

In 1851, John M. Young, a Washington, DC coachmaker, purchased 108 acres of mostly unimproved land north or Columbia Pike and west of the Berryman farm. Young used enslaved laborers John, Margaret Brown, and at least 2 others whose names are unknown to plant and maintain his plentiful peach and apple orchards and cultivate his fields.  John, born around 1805, was the subject of an 1855 Alexandria Gazette “runaway” advertisement. Young offered a $10 reward for John who fled his farm, most probably to visit his wife, enslaved in the District of Columbia.

Margaret, born before 1847, was placed in a Washington jail for two days by Young while he attended to business in the city. Jail records show Young paid $1.68 for imprisoning Margaret. 

This [ceremony and the memorial markers is] to celebrate and honor John, Margaret Brown, and three individuals whose names are unknown and gain a greater understanding of Arlington’s complicated past. "

Remarks were offered by elected officials and other community residents including Arlington County Board Chair Matt De Ferranti, School Board member Monique Bryant, Craig Syphax, Jessica Kaplan, Rev. Ashley Goff, Michele Norris (former Washington Post columnist), and Tim Aiken. Descendants of formerly enslaved citizens of the community were in attendance and spoke to the gathering. Their presence was honored and appreciated.

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. 

Photography by Lloyd Wolf.