Galloway Methodist Church

In 1867, African Americans built Galloway United Methodist Church and established the historic cemetery nearby. According to local tradition, before and during the Civil War enslaved people on the Dulany plantation secretly worshiped in the grove of trees at the center of the cemetery. Those buried there include church founders George and Harriet Brice, who lie beside each other; Harriet’s marker simply says “Mother.” George Brice escaped from slavery and joined the 6th Regiment, United States Colored Troops, which was organized near Philadelphia in July-September 1863, fought around Richmond and Petersburg until December 1864, then embarked for North Carolina and was at Bennett Place when Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army on April 26, 1865. Charles Lee, a free man of color, served in the 10th USCT, which was raised in Virginia in November 1863 and fought around Richmond and Petersburg. Charles Tinner and Isaac Peyton were members of the interracial Home Guard, which protected town residents and their property. Eliza Hicks Henderson escaped bondage after the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863 and walked from Vicksburg to Washington, D.C., to rejoin her family, concealing her young son William Henderson in a trunk. Lula Mars, whose stone says “Born in Williamsburg,” had an owner who was the father of her daughter Louisa Mars, who married William Henderson; both are buried there. Harriet Foote Turner escaped from the nearby Cook-Fitzhugh plantation late in the 1850s and used forged passes to lead newly purchased slaves to freedom in Canada, later returning frequently to visit relatives before being buried there.

West Falls Church, Virginia · United States