'Burying' Ground
The Foster family kept their ancestors close. Sheltered on a portion of their 2 1/8-acre plot purchased in 1833 by free black Catherine Foster, this burial ground still contains several dozen graves.
Rediscovered in 1993, the Foster cemetery most likely contains the remains of not only family members but also neighbors from the local community called Canada.
In deference to those buried here, the graves remain undisturbed, but no longer overlooked. Gentle mounds and depressions recall the contours of other historic African American cemeteries. A stone wall embraces the elevated ground, inviting the introspection of passerby.
One of the only known photographs of her descendants, taken at the turn of the century, is shown on the far left. After Catherine's death in 1863, family members held onto this land, well into the twentieth-century.
Catherine Foster's will, part of which is shown on the left, carefully preserved ownership of the family homestead.
Erected by University of Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 38° 1.893′ N, 78° 30.27′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shadow Catcher (within shouting distance of this marker); History Underfoot (within shouting distance of this marker); Fernando Símon Bolívar (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kappa Sigma Fraternity (approx. 0.2 miles away); Claude Moore, M.D. (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Holding Echols (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edgar Allan Poe (approx. ¼ mile away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.
Also see . . .
1. Additional graveshafts Found At Foster Family Site (2005). (Submitted on March 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Free Black Registers of Albemarle County Project. (Submitted on March 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 808 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
