Hillbrook in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From Rural to Residential
A Self-Reliant People
— Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail —
Deanwood once was farmland belonging to slave-holding families. Some of their names—Sherriff, Lowrie, and Benning--still mark local roads.
In 1833 Levi Sherriff purchased several hundred acres along Watts Branch from William Benning's nephew. With the labor of some 19 enslaved people, Sheriff raised livestock and tobacco. Upon his death in 1853, Sheriff's three daughters—Mary Cornelia, Emmeline, and Margaret--inherited the family farm.
Sheriff bequeathed his house, which once stood near today's 5000 block of Jay Street to Mary Cornelia, who married John Dean. The last Sheriff descendant to live there was Reverend Dr. Randolph W. Lowrie, Margaret's son, who died in 1913. A surviving family home at 4421 Jay Street was adapted later for church use.
In 1871 the Southern Maryland Railroad built a station near the old Bladensburg-Piscataway Road (Minnesota Avenue) bordering the Sheriff farm. The enterprising Sheriff sisters carved their farmland into lots for sale in three subdivisions: Whittingham, Lincoln Heights, and Burrville. They didn't become rich, though. Eventually--after the sisters passed on--a mix of black and white working-class skilled laborers and craftsmen built houses there. After 1895 what was now called Deanwood had a majority black population. Residents took the train to work,
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On August 4, 1965, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., addressed a rally on the open land across from this sign. Sargent Memorial Church, pastored by Reverend Everett A. Hewlett, hosted him in Deanwood. The following day, Dr. King met with President Lyndon B. Johnson to receive assurances that Johnson supported home rule for DC residents.
Erected 2009 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Greater Deanwood Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 38° 53.898′ N, 76° 55.885′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Hillbrook. Marker is on Grant Street Northeast east of 49th Street Northeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4903 Grant Street Northeast, Washington DC 20019, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lederer Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); National Training School for Women and Girls / Nannie Helen Burroughs (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Whirl on the Ferris Wheel (about 500 feet away); In Memory of Nannie Helen Burroughs
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
