African American; Freed slave; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Rosetta McCray was born a slave in Petersburg, Virginia. Her father John McCray was able to acquire her freedom in the 1840s. She married John Henry Hill and bore two children before leaving Petersburg for Canada. While there, their two sons...
Principal; Female; African American; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Kate Hill Colson, was the oldest child born to John Henry and Rosetta Hill. After the Civil War they returned to Petersburg, and Miss Hill attended the St. Stephen's Normal School in Petersburg. She was one of the first African American school...
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Laura Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 19 years old and had been born in Canada.
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Nelly Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 17 years old and had been born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Susie Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 20 years old and had been born in Canada.
Freedom fighter; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
John Henry Hill was born a slave in King and Queen County, Virginia, in March 1828. He escaped from the institution of slavery in 1853 and fled to Canada. He was very active in the Underground Railroad movement in Canada. After the Civil War...
