A monthly newsletter sharing new information about the enslaved community of Belle Grove Plantation, Middletown, Virginia LUCY BORN MARCH 16, 1806 March 2021 he year 1806 saw the most WHAT IS ONOMASTICS? Piedmont of Virginia were T children born in a single kidnapped. It honored the year since the founding of Belle Lacking the typical records ancestor and transferred some Grove Plantation in 1783: six used in family history research, of that person’s worthiness to babies—two boys and four girls. historians look for other clues the baby. The practice also Young Lucy was born to Anna, to understand the lives of established that child within a woman enslaved at Belle enslaved people. Onomastics is their family clan or lineage who defined as “the study of the Grove since 1801. Lucy was might protect them. her third child and first history and origin of proper Because the use of African daughter. Searching through names, especially personal names was soon forbidden and plantation records that survive names.” It comes from the the captives were instead given today, no further information Greek verb “to name.” English Christian names by emerges about Lucy. She Previous studies done on name their enslavers, naming for shares her birthday with Nelly trends within enslaved ancestors continued under the Hite’s brother, James Madison, populations show some names new, culturally imposed later president of the United can be dated to specific States. It is unlikely he ever generations when they were standards. More examples knew Lucy, but may have introduced or popular. Naming appear on the next page. known Anna and her brother for ancestors was a common Shadrach, who had both come practice in the region of Africa This issue produced by Robin Young from which the enslaved of the to Belle Grove from Montpelier. and Kristen Laise LUCY’S FAMILY This opens up the possibility neither Lucy nor her siblings that the name hearkens back lived at Belle Grove. Only her Lucy’s mother was to Montpelier where an adult mother was there. Anna and her Benjamin who is listed in grandmother was property tax records might It is frustrating to know only bare outlines of most lives—it Daphne. Lucy’s have been their grandfather. eldest brother, Abraham, was cannot be known if Lucy was born at Montpelier and when Isaac Hite Jr. noted sales, amazing with raising chickens, he was one year old, he and his trades, and purchases of his or made a wonderful apple pie, mother were given to the Hites enslaved workers in varying or had a splendid singing voice. at Belle Grove. Their brother, degrees of details, but 40% And it is impossible to know Ben, was Anna’s first child born listed are like Lucy: name, her unique heart, thoughts, at Belle Grove, and younger mother’s name, and birthday. and feelings about being held sisters Milley and Daphne For Anna’s family, only Milley is in bondage her whole life. came after Lucy. Ben is the noted as sold but it is not The image of Lucy’s name above is second and last child of that known when. An estimated 20% of all Hite slaves seem to from Isaac Hite Jr.’s Commonplace name born at Belle Grove in a Book, Virginia Museum of History and have been sold. By 1830, decade—the other was a twin. Culture (Mss5.5.H67375.1_21a). WHAT ARE THE COMMUNITY’S ANCESTRAL NAMES AND WHY DO THEY MATTER? who sold the Piedmont land Taylor, granddaughter of James Near the end of owners enslaved workers, kept Taylor, another notorious, 1718, two young them back, for reasons Virginia slave trader. Ambrose Black women came unknown.1 It seems likely they records their names as Nanney off a Guineaman slave ship clung to each for support as and Kate; a few more women from Bristol, England in Port “ship sisters” in such an followed, as did children from Royal, on the Rappahannock overwhelming situation. unions with the field hands River in Virginia. Reaching a who cut down forests to plant In January 1719, both were strange, new land after a long, tobacco. Just 14 years later, in sold to Ambrose Madison, terrifying voyage across the 1733, Ambrose Madison founder of the Madison family Atlantic, they alone remained owned 29 enslaved people wealth, in anticipation of his unsold. John Baylor, an shown in the table below. infamous Virginia slave trader upcoming marriage to Frances The 15 enslaved men and women and 14 enslaved children of 1733 Montpelier2 Men Women Boys Girls Tom Nanney Jack Lucy Turk Kate Sam Betty Bristoll Daphne/Daffney Billey [Gardner] Catterenea Joe Claris/Clarissa Anthoney Sarah Harry Dido Cussina George Letts Isaac Judah Peter Violet Spark Nancy Dick Hannah Among their descendants, this lovingly raise their children— is second in the group of girls, founding generation of what giants these ancestors and as discussed previously, survivors of the “Middle were! One of the few ways to one of the “Elizabeth name” Passage” were revered. To honor and remember them was variants, the most popular survive capture in Africa, leave to name children for them. name source at Belle Grove, their homeland, stay alive on where Eliza had sixteen girls Three names stand out in the death ships, adjust to a named for her. new land, new social customs, above the list. Lucy is the the loss of their freedom precious eldest female child 1 Baylor Family Papers, Ledgers Vol 1. University of Virginia, Charlottesville forever under the rule of the listed. Daphne is in the middle white enslavers, and yet of the list of the women. Betty 2 Spotsylvania County Will Book A, Will of Ambrose Madison Research is underway about the 276 men, women, and children enslaved by NEXT MONTH WE the Hite family at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown (Frederick WILL HONOR County), Virginia. Enslaved individuals made the plantation a success. Since 1967, Belle Grove has been a 501c3, nonprofit historic site Richmond born and museum. Understanding and uplifting the contributions of the April 25, 1821 enslaved community is an ongoing effort and priority. If you wish to help, consider volunteering or donating to Belle Grove, Inc. at the address below or online at www.bellegrove.org/support/donate. Belle Grove Plantation Physical address: 336 Belle Grove Road • Mailing address: P.O. Box 537 • Middletown • VA 22645 [email protected] • www.bellegrove.org • 540-869-2028 .