The People of Berkleytown

The People of Berkleytown. . Berkleytown, like many Black communities during the segregation era, was home to a resilient group of individuals whose contributions helped shape both the neighborhood and the broader Ashland area. Many of Berkleytown's residents were the children or grandchildren of enslaved people who labored on local tobacco plantations. While records of Berkleytown's residents are primarily passed down through oral histories, Berkleytown's leaders played vital roles in shaping the community's future., Emily Goings (1901-1994) , Emily C. Goings was born and raised in Ashland and worked in various capacities, including at the Ashland Shirt Factory and Hanover County Public Schools. For over 25 years, she served the Randolph-Macon College community, earning recognition from the College Society of Alumni. Goings was also one of the founding members of The Order of the Eastern Star and Union Baptist Church. She is remembered for her lifelong dedication to service and her family., Charles E. Baylor Sr. (1921-2007) , Charles E. Baylor Sr. wore many hats during his lifetime, serving as a master sergeant in the Army during World War II and later becoming the first Black mail carrier in Ashland. Baylor cofounded Ashland Christian Emergency Services (ACES) and his selflessness and dedication to helping others made him a pillar of support within Berkleytown., Virginia Shelton (1905-2014) , Born on Hickory Hill Plantation in Hanover County, Virginia Shelton was the daughter of parents who worked the land alongside other Black families. After marrying Charles Shelton, she moved to Berkleytown and attended nursing school. She remained a dedicated member and deaconess at Providence Baptist Church and was recognized as the "mother" of the Town of Ashland. A dedicated poll volunteer, she had the honor of meeting President Barack Obama in 2010. Shelton died in 2014, just a few days before her 109th birthday., Lester Jackson (1915-1991) , Born in 1915, Lester Jackson was a standout athlete, organizing his school's first baseball team and later playing for the Jacksonville Redcaps in the Florida State Twilight League. He was eventually drafted into the Negro League where he played alongside legends Jackie Robinson and Josh Gibson. After his baseball career, Jackson returned to Ashland, where he worked for Randolph-Macon College and in 1984 was honored by the Society of Alumni. His legacy lives on through the Lester Jackson Scholarship, established in his honor after his passing in 1991., Hattie Glyn Hughes (1913-1994) , Hattie Glyn Hughes was a pioneering educator and activist who made significant contributions to both the local and national civil rights movements. She attended the Colored Schools of Hanover County before pursuing higher education at Hartshorne Memorial College. She moved back to Ashland after World War II where she became one of the first Black teachers to integrate the staff at Patrick Henry High School. Hughes continued to teach until her retirement in 1979. She was known for her unwavering commitment to education and social justice., Wilbert Tinsley (1922-2001) , Wilbert Tinsley is a direct descendant of one of the oldest free Black families in Hanover County, tracing his roots back to 1858. He served in World War II, earning two battle stars for his service on the frontlines in Italy. After the war, Tinsley worked for 29 years with the Railway Express Agency and Richfood, Inc. He is remembered as a proud member of the Berkleytown community and a tireless worker, often facing difficult and discriminatory working conditions., Blected Officials , As of 2025, four Berkleytown residents have led the way toward a more inclusive local government by serving on Ashland's Town Council., Rev. William "Linwood" Henderson (1977-1980) , Franklin Jackson (1996-2000) , Melvin Hall, Vice Mayor (2000-2004 and 2006-2008) , Terri Winston-Abri (2008-2012)