New Kent Authors to Speak at Meeting

April 13, 2013

African-American education in New Kent County, Virginia will be the topic for the monthly meeting of the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Virginia (MPAAGHS) on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Essex Public Library, 117 North Church Lane (Rt. 17), Tappahannock, Virginia (map). Authors Camilla Lewis Tramuel and LaVonne Patterson Allen will be the speakers.

Tramuel and Allen are the authors of the new book, The Heritage of African Americans in New Kent County, VA - Volume I - Early Education - Colored Schools. This book names and describes the seventeen colored schools that existed in New Kent from 1865 to 1970 when the public schools werefully integrated. Included are the Freedmen Bureau Schools and those schools funded by the Rosenwald Fund.

Tramuel and Allen, who have done extensive historical and genealogical research on New Kent County, are the authors of four other books: United States Colored Troops Born in New Kent County, VA, United States Colored Troops Born in West Point and King William, VA, United States Colored Troops Born in Williamsburg and James City County, VA , and New Kent County, VA Confederate Soldier and Widow Pension Records. Allen and Tramuel both have deep family roots in New Kent County where Allen currently resides.Tramuel, who is a New Kent native, is the president of the New Kent Historical Society.

The public is cordially invited to attend the meeting. For further information about this meeting or about MPAAGHS, call 804.651.8753 or visit mpaagenealogicalsociety.org.