Venable in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Charles B. Holt: Born Into Freedom

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

1. Charles B. Holt: Born Into Freedom Marker

Inscription. Charles B. Holt, the man who built this "Rock House" was born in 1872 in Alamance County, North Carolina. Holt's father and mother, Charles and Arena; his brother, George; and his sisters Rachel, Jane, and Margaret had all lived as slaves. In 1863, in the third year of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring, "All persons held as slaves… are, and henceforward shall be free." Unlike the older members of his family, Charles and his sisters Rabena, Peggy, and Polly were born into freedom.

Erected by Legal Aid Justice Center. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 38° 2.375′ N, 78° 29.514′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in Venable. It can be reached from Preston Avenue just south of Rosser Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: 1010 Preston Ave, Charlottesville VA 22903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: An American Dream: Home Ownership (a few steps from this marker); Holt In Charlottesville: Work and Success (a few steps from this marker); Washington Park: Separate and Unequal (a few steps from this marker); Legal Aid Justice Center and the Holt House (a few steps from this marker); Holt's Architecture (a few steps from this marker); Asalie Minor Preston: Teacher & Philanthropist (a few steps from this marker); Changes in Holt's Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); C.B. Holt Rock House

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

2. Charles B. Holt: Born Into Freedom Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Additional commentary.
1. Information missing about the Emancipation Proclamation
While Holt's freedom was guaranteed with the Emancipation Proclamation, some words left out in the quotation leave out that the only states affected were the states in rebellion. These states include North Carolina and Virginia.

— Submitted April 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.