Life & Legacy Of Josiah Adams a Free Man at the Riverdale's Plantation

Abstract

My research explores the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Josiah Adams, a free black man who defied societal norms and achieved remarkable accomplishments in 19th-century Maryland. Despite the pervasive oppression faced by black individuals during this time, Josiah Adams emerged as a prominent figure in the African-American community, leaving an indelible mark through his land ownership of the Cherry Hill Cemetery. This work aims to extend the 1856 Project at the University of Maryland, which seeks to understand the university's ties to slavery.

Josiah Adams was born around 1818 and worked as a laborer, manager, and gardener at the Riversdale Plantation before the Civil War. Riversdale Plantation was owned by Charles B. Calvert, a founder of the Maryland Agricultural College; a portion of his land was sold to found the university. Josiah's dedication and hard work paid off, as he eventually acquired approximately 49.50 acres of land, a remarkable achievement for a free black man in that era.

One of Adams' most significant contributions was his ownership of the Cherry Hill Cemetery, an African-American burial ground established in 1884. This cemetery became a symbol of resilience and community for black families. It remains the only intact African-American cemetery in the Riversdale-Hyattsville-Bladensburg area, active from 1884-1940s. Josiah's ownership of land and his will's provision for his burial in a small plot on his property attest to his determination to secure a legacy for himself and his extended family.