FREE BLACKS OF ISRAEL HILL

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The Free Blacks of Israel Hill, a unique community established in Prince Edward County, Virginia, in the early 19th century. These African Americans, many of whom were formerly enslaved, were freed by the will of Richard Randolph in 1810 and given land to build a life of independence. Known as Israel Hill, this settlement became a vibrant community of free Black men and women who thrived against the odds, engaging in farming, skilled trades, and even legal disputes to protect their rights.