Center Cross in Essex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas Washington Lynched
Photographed By Gene R. Quarles, December 18, 2021
1. Thomas Washington Lynched Marker
Inscription.
Thomas Washington Lynched. . Thomas Washington, an African American man, was lynched on 23 March 1896 for allegedly attempting to assault the young daughter of a prominent white citizen. A boy found Washington’s body hanging from a tree about 1/8 mile southwest of here. A coroner’s jury did not identify the killers. The body, buried near the tree, was later given a proper burial by relatives. This was the only documented lynching in Essex County. The case attracted publicity across the state, but no one was ever brought to justice. More than 4,000 lynchings took place in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950; more than 100 people, primarily African American men, were lynched in Virginia.
Thomas Washington, an African American man, was lynched on 23 March 1896 for allegedly attempting to assault the young daughter of a prominent white citizen. A boy found Washington’s body hanging from a tree about 1/8 mile southwest of here. A coroner’s jury did not identify the killers. The body, buried near the tree, was later given a proper burial by relatives. This was the only documented lynching in Essex County. The case attracted publicity across the state, but no one was ever brought to justice. More than 4,000 lynchings took place in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950; more than 100 people, primarily African American men, were lynched in Virginia.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-79.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1896.
Location. 37° 48.475′ N, 76° 47.307′ W. Marker is in Center Cross, Virginia, in Essex County. Marker is on Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17) west of Forest Grove Road (Virginia Route 718), on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the Tappahannock-Essex Vol. Fire & Rescue Station 2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31248 Tidewater Trail, Center Cross VA 22437, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this
Photographed By Bessida Cauthorne White, April 16, 2022
2. Thomas Washington Lynched Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2022, by Bessida Cauthorne White of Jamaica, Virginia. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on January 26, 2022, by Bessida Cauthorne White of Jamaica, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Bessida Cauthorne White of Jamaica, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
