180 E Market Street
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Last updated on July 3, 2025
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Directions from Hite Family Home to site 5:
- Turn left onto N Main St
- Then turn right onto E Rock St
- Then make a right onto N Mason St
- Site 5 is in 800 feet on the right
The Peters family is a notable example of black property ownership before the Civil War. They were well-known for several successful businesses. Joshua Peters was born free in Cumberland County in 1783. He was "bound out" to a salesperson by authorities because his parents were unable to support their child financially. He was under the care of a saddle-maker until the age of 21. Joshua moved to Harrisonburg and met his wife, Sally Fortune, a free woman. With the skills he acquired in his youth, Joshua opened his shop and began making saddles and harnesses. His shop was on East Market Street next to his home.
William Peters was one of five children of Joshua and Sally Peters. He followed in his father's footsteps, learned how to make saddles and harnesses, and would later inherit his father's business after Joshua's passing. William became a successful businessman before the Civil War. He owned several properties, including six houses, a saddle-making shop, a blacksmith shop, and a livery. William was a community leader and helped his peers financially. William married his wife Harriet Boswell, a free woman, around 1837 and had a son named Jason. In 1850, William and his family moved into the former home of the Harriet family, located on the corner of North Main Street and West Rock Street. William and Harriet rented several properties to free black residents.
After the Civil War, William and his family contributed a new lot for John Wesley Methodist Church trustees in 1866 and helped purchase land for a black school on West Rock Street in 1867. However, due to Williams's support for the Union during the Civil War, William experienced financial hardships following the war. Troops stole multiple items from William, including crops and animals. Over the years, William Peters accumulated debt and was forced to sell several properties. In his final years, Williams experienced poverty and misfortune. Williams died in 1881. In his obituary, William was praised as a model citizen. Harriet lived in the Peters' home until she died in 1884. The legal status of the remaining properties was uncertain. The remaining two homes connected to the Peters family were torn down in 1903.
William Peters was one of five children of Joshua and Sally Peters. He followed in his father's footsteps, learned how to make saddles and harnesses, and would later inherit his father's business after Joshua's passing. William became a successful businessman before the Civil War. He owned several properties, including six houses, a saddle-making shop, a blacksmith shop, and a livery. William was a community leader and helped his peers financially. William married his wife Harriet Boswell, a free woman, around 1837 and had a son named Jason. In 1850, William and his family moved into the former home of the Harriet family, located on the corner of North Main Street and West Rock Street. William and Harriet rented several properties to free black residents.
After the Civil War, William and his family contributed a new lot for John Wesley Methodist Church trustees in 1866 and helped purchase land for a black school on West Rock Street in 1867. However, due to Williams's support for the Union during the Civil War, William experienced financial hardships following the war. Troops stole multiple items from William, including crops and animals. Over the years, William Peters accumulated debt and was forced to sell several properties. In his final years, Williams experienced poverty and misfortune. Williams died in 1881. In his obituary, William was praised as a model citizen. Harriet lived in the Peters' home until she died in 1884. The legal status of the remaining properties was uncertain. The remaining two homes connected to the Peters family were torn down in 1903.
