75 North Mason Street
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Last updated on March 25, 2024
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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 one of the most prominent example of African American property ownership before the Civil War. They were well-known for several successful businesses. Joshua Peters was born free in Cumberland County in March 1783. He was "bound out" to a salesperson by authorities because his parents were not able to support their child financially. He was under the care of a saddle-maker until the age of 21. He moved to Harrisonburg, where he met his wife, Sally, a free woman. With the skills he acquired in his youth, Joshua opened his shop and made saddles and harnesses. His shop was on East Market Street, now Truist Bank, next to his home.
William Peters is one of five children of Joshua and Sally. William was born in 1817. He followed in his father's footsteps, learned how to make saddles and harnesses, and would later inherit his father's business after his passing. William became a successful businessman in Harrisonburg before the 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. In the 1850s, William and his wife, 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 and helped purchase land for a black school on West Rock Street. However, due to Williams's support for the Union during the war, he experienced financial hardships following the war. Over the years, William Peters lost properties. The remaining homes connected to the Peters family were torn down in 1903, well after William died in 1881.
William Peters is one of five children of Joshua and Sally. William was born in 1817. He followed in his father's footsteps, learned how to make saddles and harnesses, and would later inherit his father's business after his passing. William became a successful businessman in Harrisonburg before the 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. In the 1850s, William and his wife, 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 and helped purchase land for a black school on West Rock Street. However, due to Williams's support for the Union during the war, he experienced financial hardships following the war. Over the years, William Peters lost properties. The remaining homes connected to the Peters family were torn down in 1903, well after William died in 1881.
