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

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Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil

Amelia Court House, Virginia

— Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail® —

Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil CRIEHT Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009

1. Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil CRIEHT Marker

Inscription. Amelia County is largely indebted to one woman for bringing formal education and religion to African Americans after the Civil War. In 1865 Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil left her home in Pennsylvania to search for her husband’s body. He had been a Union army officer and had died somewhere in Amelia County only a few days before Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. Though she never found her husband’s remains, she did discover a serious need for education for Virginia’s freed slaves. Later that same year Mrs. Neil set up a school under a “venerable oak tree with spreading branches.” Her first class ranged from young children to gray-haired men and women. Her class quickly grew into the formation of six African-American churches: Russell Grove, Albright, Big Oak, Allen Memorial, Mount Herman and Oak Grove Presbyterian. As a result of her work, the Freedom Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church, later referred to as the Presbyterian Board of National Missions, grew from the Russell Grove congregation. After 1870 this Board supplied missionary teachers to black schools all over the South. Mrs.

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Neil remained in Amelia and taught African Americans for the rest of her life, often contributing her meager income from her husband’s benefits to her schools. Russell Grove, Albright and Big Oak churches eventually merged to become the Zion Hill Presbyterian Church. The Allen Memorial Church was later renamed the Neil Memorial Chapel, and it is there that Mrs. Neil is buried.

Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 20.465′ N, 77° 58.891′ W. Marker was in Amelia Court House, Virginia, in Amelia County. It was at the intersection of Virginia Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling south on Virginia Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Amelia Court House VA 23002, United States of

Virginia St & Church St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009

2. Virginia St & Church St

America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil (here, next to this marker); Marion Harland (a few steps from this marker); William Branch Giles (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philip F. Boepple Building (about 400 feet away); Confederate Dead (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Amelia Court House (about 500 feet away); Lamkin’s Battery (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amelia Court House.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Amelia Court House

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(was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the upper left is a photo of Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil (far right) with some of her students, c. 1865. Below is a photo of Allen memorial Church, later renamed Neil Memorial Chapel, is where Mrs. Neil is buried.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Mrs. Samantha Jane Neil".

Also see . . . Virginia's Retreat. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. (Submitted on June 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,051 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.