Mary Wakefield Buxton of Urbanna is setting up a nonprofit LLC and has opened an account with a $5,000 initial deposit at Sonabank in Urbanna under the name of “Black Heroes of Middlesex County.” She wants to raise additional funds to honor black residents of Middlesex who contributed so much to the area to establish a monument to be erected at the Middlesex County Courthouse. “It’s time we expanded our local monuments to portray a more complete story of Middlesex County’s history,” Buxton said.
Buxton said she believes that with the help of area black descendants and local historians the names of enslaved people who helped build the wealth in this community can be compiled and honored for their great sacrifice.
She also, if funding allows, wants to consider other ways to memorialize black heroes such as restoring an actual slave quarters in the county so visitors can not only tour our historical homes and plantations, but see how others lived too.
“I honestly don’t know where I am going with this seed money,” Buxton said, “but I do know I want to do something and only hope this will be the beginning of a major fund drive supported by area individuals, businesses, churches, clubs, civic organizations and even political parties to honor our people that so far have mostly been left out. We will need volunteers to help gather names that may have been forgotten in the pages of history books over the passing years, but never forgotten in our hearts.”
Buxton added, “We’re late in doing this. But it’s better late than never!”
For those who would like to contribute, send checks made out to “Black Heroes of Middlesex County Inc.,” Sonabank, Urbanna, VA 23175 or directly to Mary Wakefield Buxton, P.O. Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175. Contributions are not tax deductible. Every dollar given will go directly into building the memorial.
