An historic marker was erected June 24, 2020 in honor of Martha Ann Fields by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. This important representation of our local history is open to visitors on the lawn of Historic Hanover County Courthouse.
Ajena Rogers (second from right) and her family are pictured at “The Fields Family” historic marker with Hanover Tavern in the background. They are joined by Julie Langan of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (at right).
Photo Courtesy of Hanover County.
Martha Ann Fields was enslaved at the Nutshell Farm plantation that encompassed what is now the Hanover County government complex. She was forced to work as a laborer and cook at Hanover Tavern, a part of the plantation property.
In 1863, Martha Ann Fields led six of her children, one infant grandson and a future son-in-law to escape across the Pamunkey River at night, reaching the Union Army lines. The family settled at Fortress Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, where Fields reunited with all of her ten living children and husband.
The oldest remaining photo of Hanover Tavern, taken around the turn of the 20th century.
Photo courtesy of Hanover Tavern Foundation
Martha Ann Fields’ courage and resilience are honored with an historic marker displayed permanently on the lawn of Hanover County Courthouse. Prior to the Civil War, the site held slave auctions that split the Fields family. An historic marker now stands alongside other courthouse memorials to bring recognition to the lives and presence of those who were enslaved.
Ajena Rogers of Ashland, a descendant of Martha Ann Fields, was instrumental in achieving this recognition. She explained the historic marker’s significance:
“To have this marker in the shadow of the historic Hanover Court House and Hanover Tavern is something I never imagined. Just 10 years ago when I moved to Ashland, I brought my young daughter to visit the historic tavern. Back then I was only aware of a small part of my family’s connection to the place: that my great-great grandfather James Fields as an enslaved youth had been inspired to become a lawyer while tending the lawyers’ horses at the courthouse on court days. I was overcome with emotion as I stood across the street from the very place he had dared to dream about a better future. Nearly 150 years and five and six generations later we were standing where he had stood but were free to come and go in a world he could only have imagined.
“However, it’s a credit to timing and the folks here in Hanover that my personal story didn’t stay mine alone. It took many heads, hearts and hands to come together during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War to help me bring the Fields family story back to life. We rediscovered James, his parents Martha Ann and Washington Fields, his brother George and his siblings in a quest to bring more voices into the sesquicentennial commemoration. Through dramatic readings, research papers. plays, manuscript publications, and more over the last few years, so many people have been hearing and learning about a family history has only added to the usual, familiar Civil War narratives. It boggles my mind that school children all over Hanover are learning about Martha Ann and her strength, faith, perseverance and love for her family.
“The marker is a culmination of a lot of hard work and effort to represent the people of Hanover more fully on the landscape. It’s been incredibly moving to be a catalyst and a witness to it all. It was Martha Ann’s prayers and actions in 1863 that got me here. It’s humbling to imagine what effect our actions, by placing this marker and memorializing this history, may have on our descendants, generations into the future.”
The Fields Family historic marker is available to visitors on the grounds of the Historic Hanover County Courthouse. Tours of the courthouse and grounds are available by appointment. The fully restored Hanover Tavern is located directly across Route 301 from the historic marker, hosting tours, a restaurant, and a theater.
Historic Hanover Courthouse
Photo courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
Hanover Tavern
Photo courtesy of Hanover Tavern Foundation