Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery

Photographed by Kevin W., March 10, 2025

1. Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This treed hill is believed to have been the site of a slave burial ground prior to the Civil War. After the war, Freedmen and Blacks who were free before the war were denied burial in the town cemetery because of existing racial prejudices. These African Americans continued to use this same hillside burial ground for the interment of their dead. Archaeologists have recorded five depressions and as many as thirty fieldstone grave markers at this site but additional unmarked graves may also be present. Preservation of this sacred plot lends dignity and honors the memory of the slaves, Freedmen, and members of the free Black community of Dumfries resting here.

Erected 2021 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 38° 34.144′ N, 77° 19.926′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on King Street 0.1 miles north of Cameron Street, on the left when traveling north. In the Dumfries Elementary School parking lot.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3990 Cameron Street, Dumfries VA 22026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

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: Quantico Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots and War of 1812 Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumfries Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Grayson Bandstand Memorial (about 700 feet away); Prince William Resolves (about 700 feet

Photographed by Kevin W., March 10, 2025

2. Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery Marker

away); Mason Locke Weems and George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Weems-Botts House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dumfries.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2025, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.