Near Farmville in Cumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James F. Lipscomb
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 18, 2010
1. James F. Lipscomb Marker
Inscription.
James F. Lipscomb was born a free black on 4 December 1830 in Cumberland County. He worked first as a farm laborer, then as a carriage driver in Richmond. In 1867 he returned to Cumberland County, where he accumulated more than 500 acres of land. Lipscomb served in the House of Delegates between 1869 and 1877, one of 87 African-Americans elected to the General Assembly in the late 19th century. In 1871 he opened a general store in his home, part of which stands nearby, and operated it until his death on 10 August 1893. His grandson and granddaughter-in-law, John and Romaine Lipscomb, moved it into a new building on this site in 1921. The Lipscomb store, a community institution and social center, was closed in 1971 and demolished in 1987.
James F. Lipscomb was born a free black on 4 December 1830 in Cumberland County. He worked first as a farm laborer, then as a carriage driver in Richmond. In 1867 he returned to Cumberland County, where he accumulated more than 500 acres of land. Lipscomb served in the House of Delegates between 1869 and 1877, one of 87 African-Americans elected to the General Assembly in the late 19th century. In 1871 he opened a general store in his home, part of which stands nearby, and operated it until his death on 10 August 1893. His grandson and granddaughter-in-law, John and Romaine Lipscomb, moved it into a new building on this site in 1921. The Lipscomb store, a community institution and social center, was closed in 1971 and demolished in 1987.
Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-55.)
Location. 37° 21.572′ N, 78° 22.713′ W. Marker is near Farmville, Virginia, in Cumberland County. Marker is on Cumberland Road (State Highway 45), on the right when traveling
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,418 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
