Although the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare is hopeful that the future will hold full historic preservation and protections for all land and cemeteries within Thoroughfare and the Gainesville Settlement, we have immediate needs that must be met now.
There must be an immediate stay placed on development activities in Thoroughfare until a full archeological burial study can be completed. On Sunday the Coalition brought in a second archeologist who has discovered another 30 to 40 slave and Native American graves on land that has been designated for a housing development. If the county does not implement an immediate stay, we are looking at another possible bulldozing and desecration of another slave and Native American cemetery in Thoroughfare.
The county is required to give permits for developments and to review the process. As a legal matter, they can halt development in general. There are sufficient reasons to halt all development based upon the existence of these cemeteries. The codes of ordinances for Prince William County gives the county broad discretion to revoke approvals and file for injunctions when necessary. Code section 32-250.110 concerns the preservation of cemeteries. When the existence of a cemetery is made clear there are certain requirements that must be met to document and preserve them. We are now looking at approximately 350 slave, freed slave and Native American gravesites that are under immediate threat.
Again, an immediate stay must be implemented by the county on any and all development in Thoroughfare.
Regarding the desecration of the already bulldozed Scott cemetery, the Coalition strongly requests that the Commonwealth Attorney reopens its closed investigation into these criminal actions. On Sunday the Coalition brought in a soil specialist. She has confirmed that the property was indeed graded by a machine. Bulldozing. It was also confirmed by a witness that truck loads of dirt and rock left the Scott cemetery property. This information refutes county investigative reporting that there was no grading and that only trees and brush were removed from the property. It also refutes the land owner’s declaration that no grading occurred and that no dirt or stones were removed from the site. The codes of ordinances for Prince William County also cover this desecration. There are clear provisions that zoning administrators have at their disposal, specified within Virginia codes. In light of this new and damaging information, the Commonwealth Attorney’s finding of no willful intent must be revisited. We are only seeking the truth within the actions taken regarding the bulldozing of the Scott cemetery.
The county must also immediately enforce the removal of the gate that blocks the families’ access to one of its family cemeteries. The Peyton Thoroughfare community cemetery and an access lane that dates back to the 1800’s and possibly beyond. The county can take the road by eminent domain to protect this historic asset. Which would allow free and open access to the cemetery which it has had for generations.
The Coalition has also come across numerous discrepancies and information that is displaying signs of possible illegal development and encroachment activities on the Allen, Fletcher and Washington heir property. Including questionable filing actions in acquiring properties without the families’ knowledge. We strongly encourage the county to look into and investigate these new and constantly accumulating developments.
There are several historical structures that will also be lost if the county does not implement an immediate halt to all activities within the parcels of Thoroughfare until legality and historic records are established, as part of the county’s historical investigation.
The time for the county to move on the above issues was yesterday. It can start today, but it definitely should not be kept waiting for tomorrow. The county knows who to stop and how to stop it.
It is documented that only 2% of the 95,000 entries on the register of historic places, focuses on the experiences of African Americans. As stated, this widespread failure to preserve African American history as well as Native American history is itself rooted in systematic racial injustice.
The county dropped the ball in regards to the desecration of the Scott cemetery. We do feel they are striving collectively to rectify that. And we are deeply grateful.
However, Prince William County and the Commonwealth have an opportunity to show that history does not have to repeat itself. That change is possible. That healing is possible. That politics and greed does not always have to be at the forefront of decisions. Nor does it have to outweigh what is fair and just.
The county has the opportunity to stand up strongly and lead the way in what is morally right and ethical regarding the rapidly growing threats to Thoroughfare and the Settlement. Their place in history. Their ancestors and their descendants.