African American Historical Cemetery in Loudoun Desecrated

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — An African American historical cemetery has been damaged and desecrated during the massive road interchange construction project at the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road and Route 7 in Ashburn, according to Pastor Michelle Thomas, of Holy & Whole Life Changing Ministries International in Lansdowne.

The damage was discovered by Thomas and other members of the Loudoun Freedom Center, a non-profit organization in Lansdowne, when they were surveying the land in preparation for an upcoming annual commemoration ceremony.

Located near the Belmont Ridge Road/Route 7 intersection, the Belmont Slave Cemetery dates back as far as the early 1800's. At least 44 grave sites of slaves are located on the 600-square-foot piece of land situated adjacent to the former Belmont Plantation, which was built between 1799-1802. Slaves at the Belmont Plantation were buried at this cemetery.

On Oct. 11, 2015, the Loudoun Freedom Center dedicated the previously lost slave graveyard off Belmont Ridge Road across from the Lansdowne Shopping Center.

While surveying the property for this year's commemoration, members of the Loudoun Freedom Center and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office found that the property had been encroached on by the construction activities, according to Thomas.

Thomas explained that a buffer tree line to the cemetery had been de-installed.

"Every tree in the buffer zone is now gone," Thomas said."The total removal of any type of buffer to the cemetery could be catastrophic."

Human feces and soiled paper was found in the cemetery. "The desecration is terribly disrespectful--and an environmental hazard--to say the least," Thomas said.

In addition, according to Thomas, 30 to 50 feet of a dry pond are believed to have been encroached on.

"It is believed that there are human remains in the dry pond. Archaeological research and possible DNA testing needs to be done in hopes of connecting the past to the present. Just as we would honor any other American hero or fallen war veteran, the remains of slaves at Belmont need to be gathered and a proper burial conducted," Thomas said.

"The cemetery is a sacred site, a holy site, hallowed ground, and it's disheartening to see it fallen to disrepair and desecration," Thomas added. "The public needs to be aware. "

Thomas also discovered that the silt fence that the County had put up around the cemetery had deteriorated significantly.

Thomas said she contacted Loudoun County after discovering the damages and desecration. The County put up a "No Trespassing" sign and agreed to fix the fence. The porta potties were moved closer to the cemetery for use by the construction workers.

"There are 40 to 50 historic African American communities of Loudoun that are endangered or have been lost completely due to unconscionable development," according to Thomas. "Loudoun County doesn't currently have a cemetery buffer ordinance and Virginia state code is rarely enforced on cemeteries."

Construction is supposed to halt immediately if a grave or cemetery is found at a construction site, Thomas emphasized.

"It's a moral decision, but no one is really watching," Thomas said. "It is said that the Coton Plantation Slave cemetery was paved under for the construction of the kiddie pool side of the Potomac Club pool in Lansdowne."

"It's a huge problem in Loudoun County with African American historical slave cemeteries being ignored," Thomas added. This is not an isolated case, although certainly the most egregious. Cemeteries are left to the mercy of the County and the morally conscious."

The community is invited to the Belmont Slave Cemetery Annual Wreath Laying & Renaming Ceremony on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. More than 200 local residents gathered at the event last year, according to Thomas.

Photos courtesy of Pastor Michelle Thomas