Audio
Remembering the People Enslaved at Mount Locust, Mount Locust, Milepost 15.5
Transcript
In front of you, behind this sign, is a split rail fence that surrounds a sparsely wooded area. A foot path loops around the enclosed area. On the left, the path continues through the woods. Behind you, a foot-worn path leads across a grassy field back towards the historic Mount Locust house. The text on the wayside reads:
Remembering the People Enslaved at Mount Locust
With only one small stone marker at the back of the cemetery, it may be difficult to believe that an estimated 43 people are buried here. They are buried following African tradition with their feet to the east and heads to the west. This was done so that when the dead rose they would be facing the rising sun. Once forgotten and lost in overgrowth, but now rediscovered, the stories of those interred may live on through their descendants.
Some of the names of those buried here are known; many are not.
Cielious Washington
Marcus Perryman
John White
Gabriel Tyler
Richmond Tyler
Jackson Turner
Tommy Turner
William Turner
Abraham Allen
Ester Jackson
The background of the exhibit is a black and white illustration of an enslaved person’s funeral. The scene takes place at night, illuminated only by torch light. Four men carry a simple coffin and walk amidst a gathering of people.
Behind them are tall trees. In the foreground is an open grave site. Above the grave, a young man stands with a shovel in one hand and a lit torch in the other, held high above his head. Opposite him, another young man is bent down, sweeping the path in front of the men carrying the coffin with a tree branch.
Description
An audio description of the wayside "Remembering the People Enslaved at Mount Locust" at Mount Locust.
Credit
NPS Audio / P. Pinson
Date Created
05/20/2025
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