Niya Bates on Trans-Appalachian Maroons in the 19th Century

January 2, 2025

Niya Bates will present preliminary ideas and research from her dissertation which explores the 19th century history of maroon settlements in Ohio that were founded by Black Central Virginians and their impact on antislavery movements. Her research also reframes the history of the Underground Railroad movement within global traditions of marronage. She argues that free and fugitive Black people from VA and other states built an ever-expanding network of maroon settlements that challenged white territorial expansionism. These communities have significant spatial and cultural legacies that might inform present and future strategies for Black land acquisition and retention.

We will meet on ZOOM until April when we will be back in person at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

Next Meeting:

  • The Ten Largest Emancipations in Albemarle County with Sam Towler
    May 1, 2025 Ten years ago, Gayle Schulman did a draft index of where the emancipations of Albemarle can be located in the deed and will books of Albemarle. Building on this, Sam picked out the 10 largest emancipations of Albemarle from Gayle’s list and looked at them in detail and will present a summary.
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Questions?

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