Charlotte Court House in Charlotte County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Joseph R. Holmes

(ca. 1838-1869)

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 12, 2024

1. Joseph R. Holmes Marker

Inscription. Joseph R. Holmes, formerly enslaved in Charlotte County, campaigned for civil rights and education after emancipation. He served as a delegate to the Virginia Republican Party conventions in 1867 and 1869 and was elected to represent Charlotte and Halifax Counties in Virginia's Constitutional Convention of 1867-68, held as a precondition for the state's readmission to the Union. On 3 May 1869 Holmes was shot dead here on the courthouse steps. Brothers John and Griffin S. Marshall, along with William T. Boyd and Macon C. Morris, all white, were charged with his murder. The men fled and were never tried. The murder drew international attention to the plight of freedpeople during Reconstruction.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number FR 31.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1869.

Location. 37° 3.39′ N, 78° 38.245′ W. Marker is in Charlotte Court House, Virginia, in Charlotte County. It is on David Bruce Avenue (Virginia Route 40) east of Legrande Avenue

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

( Route 47), on the right when traveling east. The marker is in the northeast corner of the Charlotte Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 145 David Bruce Ave, Charlotte Court House VA 23923, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically 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: A different marker also named Charlotte Court House (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Charlotte County Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Monument Interpretation (a few steps from

Joseph R. Holmes Marker. The Charlotte District Courthouse is in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 12, 2024

2. Joseph R. Holmes Marker. The Charlotte District Courthouse is in the background

this marker); Henry and Randolph (within shouting distance of this marker); Constitutional Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Charlotte County Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Court House Historic District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte Court House.

Other markers no longer nearby. Charlotte Court House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Henry and Randolph's Debate (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Charlotte County Library (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Joseph R. Holmes Marker looking towards David Bruce Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 12, 2024

3. Joseph R. Holmes Marker looking towards David Bruce Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 449 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on December 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Daytime photos. • Can you help?