227 North Main Street
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Last updated on March 25, 2024
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Directions from Jeremiah Gibson's Workshop to site 4:
- From the intersection, continue down W Wolfe St
- At next intersection, turn left onto N Main St
- Site 4 is on the left at Glen’s Fair Price Store parking lot
Prior to the Civil War, the Hite family lived in the establish African American community on North Main Street. Where is now the Glen’s Fair Price Store’s parking lot, once was where the Hite property stood. Formerly enslaved woman, Lear Hite, was given ownership of the property in 1828. A local man, Samuel Chandler, dictated in his will upon his death that the property shall go to Lear. Though exact records are not available, it is likely that Lear was enslaved by Chandler and thus was freed once he died.
Lear went on to purchase her enslaved husband, John Hite. It is likely Lear choose to keep ownership over husband so he would not be forced to leave Virginia or petition for an exemption to stay due to legislation. John was born toto slavery around 1767 in Virginia and was an enslaved preacher. After Lear Hite’s death in 1829, John Hite inherited the property. A year later, his sons James and William Hite purchased the lot from him. James lived here for 20 years with his family then deeded the property in an attorney in 1833. After the death of James Hite, the Hite named no longer had ownership over the property.
Lear went on to purchase her enslaved husband, John Hite. It is likely Lear choose to keep ownership over husband so he would not be forced to leave Virginia or petition for an exemption to stay due to legislation. John was born toto slavery around 1767 in Virginia and was an enslaved preacher. After Lear Hite’s death in 1829, John Hite inherited the property. A year later, his sons James and William Hite purchased the lot from him. James lived here for 20 years with his family then deeded the property in an attorney in 1833. After the death of James Hite, the Hite named no longer had ownership over the property.
