Historic Slave Emancipator commemorated in Heathsville, VA

A Road Sign commemorating Robert Carter III was dedicated by the James Monroe Chapter, Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution at a ceremony in front of the historic Northumberland County Courthouse in Heathsville, VA on Sunday, September 22. With documents filed in the courthouse on September 5, 1791 Robert Carter III started the process of manumitting over 500 slaves. In addition to manumission Carter deeded land to some of the former slaves so they had a place to live and grow crops to support their families. Carter was a descendant of one of the largest land owners in Virginia, the so called King Carter.

The sign dedicated to honor this selfless act reads:

"FREEDOM FOR SLAVES OF ROBERT CARTER III On 5 Sept. 1791 Robert Carter III (1728-1804), one of the wealthiest men in the United States, filed a deed of manumission at the Northumerland County Courthouse. This document eventually freed more than 500 enslaves African Americans owned by Carter in several Virginia counties. "To retain them in Slavery", Carter wrote, "is contrary to the true principles of Religion & Justice". The deed, structured to withstand resistance by Carter's heirs and neighbors, liberated slaves gradually in small groups. because children were freed when they reached adulthood, the manumission took decades to complete. Many of the freed people became tenants on Carter's land."

Keynote speaker was the 7th great grandson of Robert Carter III, Charles Belfield, a member of the James Monroe Chapter VA SAR. He dressed in period clothing and spoke in the first person. He spoke of Robert Carter's realization that slavery conflicted with his religion and that he must move forward with manumitting slaves he owned.

The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter VA SAR from Loudoun County was represented by President Barry Schwoerer and immediate past President Ken Bonner. Mr. Bonner carried a flag in presentation of Colors, Mr. Schwoerer presented the Chapter wreath in honor of Robert Carter III. Virginia SAR President William "Bill" Greaf participated in the program.