Dear VA-Hist Members:

 

I would like to invite you to the next in the Library of Virginia's
noontime lectures.  On Tuesday, December 7, 2004, author, researcher,
and genealogist Mary Kegley, one of the foremost authorities on the
history of Southwest Virginia, explores legal cases brought by women of
color disputing their enslavement, including the remarkable case of
Rachel Findlay, a women freed from Indian slavery in 1773. Sold
illegally as an African American slave to John Draper on the frontier of
Virginia, she finally received justice when a Powhatan County court
declared her free in 1820.  Ms. Kegley will sign copies of Free in
Chains, a novel based on the life of Rachel Findlay, at the conclusion
of her talk in the Library's lobby.  The book will be available for sale
before and after the presentation in the lobby. 

  

This talk is in conjunction with the Library's exhibition Working Out
Her Destiny, which explores the history of Virginia women, especially
the explosion of scholarship in this field over the last twenty years.
The talk is also cosponsored by the Library's "Mining the Treasure
House" series.  Mary B. Kegley holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of
Arts in History from the University of Radford, and received the Juris
Doctor degree from the University of Richmond Law School.  She is the
author/compiler of 42 books and has written scores of columns for the
Wytheville newspaper, the Southwest Virginia Enterprise, and more than
seventy articles in various national and international historical
publications.  She has been a speaker at national and state genealogical
conferences, and regularly gives programs to civic and family groups on
a variety of topics. She is presently serving as president of the Wythe
County Genealogical and Historical Association.

 

The Library of Virginia is located at 800 East Broad Street in Richmond
and limited parking is available under the building.  You can access the
full schedule of events sponsored by the Library by clicking on "News
and Events" at: http://www.lva.lib.va.us.

 
Gregg D. Kimball
Director of Publications
  and Educational Services
Library of Virginia
804/692-3722
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