Proposed Text for an Historical Marker
Hayti
An African American Neighborhood
In the area encompassing six blocks in this vicinity was a vibrant African American Community. Beginning in the early 1800s the Quaker Miller and Hartshorne families began renting land and houses to free African Americans. This was relatively unheard of in this era. This practice eventually led to Black ownership of homes.
A vibrant community of middle-class laborers created a tightknit circle. In an era of great restrictions on movement and gathering of African Americans, clusters of residences was a way to avoid the anti-gathering laws. Hayti and other neighborhoods formed havens and oases for African Americans.
As an example of a people overcoming the obstacles in their way; the neighborhood soon became an enclave of African American homeowners. Hannah Jackson, a laundress, is but one exceptional example. She gained her freedom and then bought the freedom of her extended family members. She purchased her home located at 406-408 S. Royal Street, in 1820.
Church was an important aspect of African American life in Antebellum Alexandria. Residents of Hayti attended the interracial at Trinity United Methodist Church located in Hayti. They also helped in the formation of Robert’s Chapel in Hayti and nearby Alfred Street Baptist Church.
The only remaining home from this period is George Seaton’s house at 404 S. Royal Street. In 1869, he became the first African American to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Alexandria. He was present at the ratification of the 15th Amendment in Richmond. His house is on the National Historic Registry.