Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Francis Drake, Free Black Barber

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2019

1. Francis Drake, Free Black Barber Marker

Inscription. Francis Drake, a slave barber, was the first black to gain his freedom in post-Revolutionary War Norfolk after a 1782 Act of the Virginia General Assembly authorized “any person...to emancipate and set free, his or her slaves.” Drake was emancipated by Mayor Thomas Newton, Jr. on 23 May 1791, probably after he paid for his freedom. His deed of manumission cites “divers good causes” as the reason for manumission. By 1795, Drake had saved enough money to purchase his daughter Catherine and son Francis, Jr. from bondage. Working alone or in concert with other free blacks, he served as an intermediary in helping other slaves acquire their freedom. As a free black, Drake accumulated considerable wealth. He was the proprietor of a barbershop at 20 Main Street in 1801. By 1803 he owned four city lots, the largest holdings of Norfolk’s free black landowners. In 1806 Francis Drake employed and trained several apprentice barbers at his shop, then at 22 Water Street. His residence was near here at 6 Freemason Street.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1791.

Location. 36° 50.988′ N, 76° 17.093′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of East Freemason Street and St Pauls Boulevard, on the left when traveling east on East Freemason Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willoughby-Baylor House, 1794

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2019

2. Francis Drake, Free Black Barber Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph’s Catholic Church & School (within shouting distance of this marker); Freemason Street Baptist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bank Street Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); Whitehead House, 1791 (about 700 feet away); The Cannonball Trail (about 700 feet away); St. Paul’s Church, 1739 (about 700 feet away); Moses Myers House, 1792 (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.