Honoring the Past: The Relocation of African American Tenant Farmers’ Remains in Danville, Virginia

Emotional Responses to a Significant Move

In Danville, Virginia, a complex and deeply emotional decision has been made to relocate the remains of hundreds of African American tenant farmers from a former tobacco plantation to a dedicated burial ground. This site, once part of one of the largest slave-owning operations in the nation, holds the graves of individuals who were exploited and enslaved. While some descendants express concern about disturbing the resting places of their ancestors, others see this as an opportunity to grant them the dignity and respect they were denied in life. Cedric Hairston, a descendant, poignantly described the moment as one where these individuals are finally receiving the equality they deserve, even centuries after their deaths.

Archaeologists have begun the process of exhuming the approximately 275 graves, with some remains already transferred to a funeral home. The final relocation to a new burial site, just a mile away, is expected to be completed by early March. Efforts are underway to involve descendants in every step of the process, from genetic testing to identify the unidentified remains to designing the new cemetery, including a memorial archway. For many, this project represents a chance to honor their ancestors in a way that reflects their humanity and contributions to history.

The Legacy of Oak Hill Plantation

The Oak Hill plantation, once a sprawling estate owned by Samuel Hairston, was part of a family empire that enslaved thousands of people across 45 plantations and farms in four states. Hairston was reputedly the largest enslaver in the South, according to historian Henry Wiencek’s book, The Hairstons. After emancipation, many of those who remained on the plantation as tenant farmers faced systemic exploitation, poverty, and violence under the oppressive Jim Crow laws. Despite the harsh conditions, these individuals worked tirelessly, raising families, and creating lives despite the injustices they endured.

The plantation’s grandeur faded over the years, and the main house was destroyed by fire in 1988. Today, the site stands mostly abandoned, a haunting reminder of the brutal history of slavery and sharecropping in the region. Yet, for descendants like Jeff Bennett, whose great-great-great-grandfather Fleming Adams Sr. is buried there, the land holds profound significance. Adams, known as "Flem," was born into slavery in 1830 and later worked at Oak Hill, where he raised a family and eventually died in 1916. His grave, along with those of hundreds of others, is now being carefully exhumed and relocated.

A New Era for Ancestors: Dignity and Respect

The decision to move the graves has sparked a mix of emotions among descendants. While some worry about the indignity of exhuming the remains of those who suffered so greatly, others view it as a chance to finally afford their ancestors the respect they were denied in life. Cedric Hairston expressed his hope that the remains could one day be identified and reburied with dignity, acknowledging the enduring pain of their exploitation. "It just seems that 100 or so odd years after their death, there’s still no rest," he said.

The new burial site is being designed with extensive input from descendants, who are working to ensure that the cemetery reflects the stories and struggles of their ancestors. Plans include a memorial archway and inscribed bricks to honor those who were previously buried without markers. For many, this project is not just about relocating remains but about reclaiming their ancestors’ History and ensuring their memories are preserved for future generations.

Uncovering the Stories of the Past

Among the graves being relocated is that of Fleming Adams Sr., whose tall stature and historic burial site make him a unique figure in the history of Oak Hill. His descendant, Jeff Bennett, hopes that Adams’ remains can be identified through DNA testing, given his distinctive height and the possibility of intact remains. The graves of other sharecroppers and their families are equally significant, with many marked only by moss-covered stones or depressions in the earth where wooden coffins have long since collapsed.

As archaeologists work to carefully exhume and transfer the remains, they are also uncovering personal items that offer glimpses into the lives of those buried there. Protected in plastic bags, these artifacts include eyeglasses, a medicine bottle, a 5-cent coin from 1836, and even a light bulb with a socket and electrical cord. One grave was lined with bricks, suggesting that its occupant may have been relatively wealthy for his time. These mementos are being preserved and may be incorporated into the new burial site, serving as tangible connections to the past.

Balancing Progress and Preservation

The relocation of the graves is part of a broader effort to develop the land for industrial use. The Pittsylvania-Danville Regional Industrial Facility Authority has acquired the 3,500-acre site, which will house a $1.3 billion battery production facility announced by Tennessee-based company Microporous. The project is expected to create 2,000 jobs, bringing much-needed economic growth to the area. However, the development has also raised concerns about the treatment of the site’s historical significance.

In response, officials have worked closely with descendants to ensure that the relocation process is handled with respect and care. The industrial authority has allocated $1.3 million, raised from logging the land, to fund the project, which is being managed by engineering and consulting firm WSP. Every effort is being made to honor the memories of those buried there, including the preservation of headstones and the creation of a historical marker. As J.D. Adams, another descendant, emphasized, "We need some time to determine what it is we want and how we want it."

Rebuilding Connections to the Past

For many descendants, this project is about more than just moving graves; it’s about reconnecting with their heritage and ensuring that their ancestors’ stories are not forgotten. By involving the community in every stage of the process, from designing the new cemetery to inscribing names on memorials, the project has become a collective effort to honor the past. Descendants are also reviewing funeral home records to identify those buried in unmarked graves, though the task is challenging. In cases where names cannot be determined, they plan to inscribe the names of everyone who lived in the area, symbolizing the shared history of the community.

As Jeff Bennett reflected, "I feel like we’re reemphasizing the significance of our ancestors. It’s been generations since people used that area to bury people. And now we’re rediscovering their stories. And hopefully, we can continue to tell those stories to the next generations." This project is not only about giving their ancestors the dignity they deserve but also about building a bridge between the past and the future.