Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Aggy's Freedom Suit
By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2019
1. Aggy's Freedom Suit Marker
An African American woman, known only as Aggy, was enslaved at Ryland Randolph's Turkey Island plantation at the time of his death in 1784. Randolph's will provided for freedom and support for Aggy and her children, but the administrators of his estate denied the provisions of the will, keeping her in bondage. While still enslaved, Aggy became an early civil rights pioneer when she was named as a complainant in a chancery suit filed in Henrico County Court claiming her right to freedom under the provisions of Ryland's will. In 1790, a decree absolute issued by the court ordered that "Aggy and her two children, Sylvia Anderson and Alexander Philip… be emancipated and recover their freedom."Erected 2019 by County of Henrico. (Marker Number HC-44.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights.
Location. 37° 23.703′ N, 77° 14.965′ W. Marker is in Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is at the intersection of New Market Road (Virginia Route 5)
By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2019
2. Virginia Capital Trail (facing east)
VA-5 on left, Virginia Capital Trail on right.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Fergusons of Malvern Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Malvern Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Seven Days Battles (approx. 1.2 miles away); Battlefield Landscape (approx. 1.2 miles away); Advantages of Terrain (approx. 1.2 miles away); A Place of Refuge (approx. 1.2 miles away); Battlefield of Malvern Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Crew House (approx. 1.2 miles away).
By Bernard Fisher, August 10, 2019
3. Virginia Capital Trail (facing west)
Virginia Capital Trail on left, VA-5 on right.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2021, by Bob Lehr of Henrico, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2019, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
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