Matt took us to the woods to show us where the enslaved population was buried, and to talk to us about the discussions going on behind the scenes with the Montpelier Descendants Committee (MDC), a separate non-profit made up of people with ties to the enslaved population in Central Virginia, to figure out the best way to honor their ancestors.
In 2000, on one of the earlier archaeological digs, they found where the enslaved population was buried. At least some of them. They were in what many of us would consider unmarked graves, but once they learned more about their burial traditions, the graves were easier to spot. Not easy, just easier.
A decade ago they used cadaver dogs to aid in their research. They also spoke with members of the MDC. They learned periwinkle is often planted around burial sites. That graves were marked by crystals, twigs, and other items found in nature.
Research continued using Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR) and metal detecting. They then realized they should have just gone where the periwinkle appeared.
Through research, they have found over 200 burials. The MDC would like a memorial. They had an advisory committee of the MDC, and Dr. Michael Blakely, the archaeologist involved with the New York City African American Cemetery, a site Don and I stumbled upon this past June. This was the first time any of them were asked how they wanted their descendants to be honored.
The section where the 17th and 18th century enslaved population was buried became the 20th century duPont era dumping ground. It was cleared in 2023 in order to conduct GPR, and periwinkle thrived turning the area a blueish-purplish color. As we could see, three years later it is already covered with jet bead, an invasive species.
Over $5 million has been set aside to create the memorial. The descendants will have the largest say in how it is carried out. They have ideas about where they would like to place a marker, and what it should look like. I'll have to return in a couple of years to see how the plans are executed.
Much detailed research could be conducted, including studying the skeletal remains, using them to create facial reconstructions, research their diets, do DNA research, etc. However, the MDC asked that their family members be left alone and put the memorial outside of the area.
No oral history about enslaved burials exist. Or at least none they have yet discovered.
History is fascinating. Contrary to what I was told growing up, it does change as we learn more about the past.
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