DESCENDANTS OF THE ROANOKE ISLAND FREEDMEN'S COLONY

Neither the military authorities nor the missionary teachers kept complete rosters of the freedpeople who lived in the Roanoke Island freedmen’s colony. Partial lists of freedmen who were living in the colony in January 1866 and the winter of 1866-1867, linked below, provide some names of colonists who left the island, as well as their intended destinations in eastern North Carolina or Virginia. Descendants of colonists who remained on Roanoke Island have established an organization to preserve the history of the colony. They are interested in hearing from other descendants. Click on the “Announcements” link below to learn more about how you can be added to the group’s mailing list. Freedmen Who Lived in the Colony Announcements

The First Light of Freedom monument, dedicated to the Roanoke Island freedmen's colony, was unveiled on September 14, 2001. It stands outside the National Park Service's visitor center at Fort Raleigh Historic Site on the north end of Roanoke Island.

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Copyright © 2001 Patricia C. Click
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