Monument marking lynching near MC to be dedicated

A state historical highway marker dedication is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in Essex County. The marker will honor the memory of Thomas Washington, an African-American man who was lynched in March 1896. Although the incident garnered substantial publicity, no one was ever brought to justice for it, the only documented lynching in Essex County. This marker will be one of a very few state historical markers that denote the lynching of a specific African American in Virginia.

The marker dedication and unveiling ceremony will take place at the marker’s location adjacent to the fire station at 31438 Tidewater Trail, Center Cross, which is just west of the Middlesex County boundary.

The public is invited to join the ceremony in-person or virtually. It will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/mpaaghs. There is limited roadside parking at the marker site. However, attendees may park at Angel Visit Baptist Church, 29566 Tidewater Trail, Dunnsville. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., shuttle service will be provided to the marker site; masks will be required on the shuttle.

Text of marker:

Thomas Washington Lynched

Thomas Washington, an African-American man, was lynched on 23 March 1896 for allegedly attempting to assault the young daughter of a prominent white citizen. A boy found Washington’s body hanging from a tree about 1/8 mile southwest of here. A coroner’s jury did not identify the killers. The body, buried near the tree, was later given a proper burial by relatives. This was the only documented lynching in Essex County. The case attracted publicity across the state, but no one was ever brought to justice. More than 4,000 lynchings took place in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950; more than 100 people, primarily African-American men, were lynched in Virginia.