New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Slavery on the Rice Farm
Life in Bondage
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Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024
1. Slavery on the Rice Farm Marker
22 enslaved persons were held in bondage on the Rice Farm in the years leading up to the Civil War, making Dr. John W. Rice, the owner of the Rice Farm, one of the largest slaveowners in Shenandoah County. According to the 1850 Slave Schedule (part of the 1850 U.S. Census), the 22 slaves included 17 males and 5 females, ranging from a 3-year-old girl to a 60-year-old man. (No names were listed.) Interestingly, the census also noted that 3 slaves had successfully escaped from the Rice Farm in the previous year. (The schedule states that Rice had 3 slaves who were "fugitives from the state," meaning "the number of uncaught escaped slaves in the past year".)
When Dr. Rice died in 1862, his will listed 12 slaves, 11 of whom were named: Ann William A small female slave (unnamed) John Peggy Dianna Emanuel Arthur George Lemuel (a boy) Robert Hughs Savinia
The slaves on the Rice Farm lived in the white house you can see to the right and rear of the main building.
Slavery was prevalent in Shenandoah County. In addition to those who owned slaves, many who were not slaveowners rented the enslaved to work on farms, in mills, in the iron and textile industries, on roads, and more. On the eve of the Civil War, there were 753 enslaved African Americans in the county, over 5% of the 13,896 residents.
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(Captions):
This image is of a family of slaves in Hanover County, Virginia.
Image courney Libeary of Congress.
In 1850, the slave schedule showed 22 slaves on the Rice Farm.
This marker is dedicated in memory of the unnamed and untold men, women, and children who toiled on this property and throughout New Market.
Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 38° 39.289′ N, 78° 40.114′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is on North Congress Street (U.S. 11) 0.2 miles north of Lee Highway (U.S. 211), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9137 North Congress Street, New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: The Rice Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Cannon Along the Turnpike (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Memorial
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2024
2. Slavery on the Rice Farm Marker
The white house mentioned on the marker where the slaves on the Rice Farm lived is in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
