New "stumbling stones" are honoring the lives of two individuals enslaved in present-day Boulevard Manor in the 18th century.
The brass markers in the sidewalk at 516 N. Livingston Street honor the lives of Con and Killemacse, who in the mid-1700s were enslaved on farmland that now forms the Boulevard Manor neighborhood.
"We have not forgotten," said Jessica Kaplan, a co-chair of the Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington initiative, at a Sunday unveiling ceremony in the Boulevard Manor community just south of Wilson Blvd.
Information on Con and Killemacse's lives comes from a 1760 deed in which John Hurst agreed to rent acreage for 10 years from Simon Pearson. As part of the agreement, Hurst was provided with "Charles a negro man, Sarah a negro woman, Con a negro woman and Killemacse an old negro fellow."
Those who were able-bodied likely assisted in the clearing of the land, which had been virgin forest, and cultivated crops including corn, wheat and tobacco. They also may have tended cattle, sheep and horses, and potentially looked after orchards.
Con and Killemacse are among 2,700 individuals chronicled in the Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington database, a joint effort from the Arlington Historical Society and Black Heritage Museum of Arlington with support from the county government and school system.
The Aug. 24 event marked the sixth unveiling of memorial stones. Some of the others are located in the Yorktown neighborhood, on Columbia Pike and at the Ball-Sellers House.
The initiative takes its cue from "stolperstein," the German word that translates as stumbling stones. Thousands of those markers have been installed in Europe to commemorate people killed during the Holocaust.
In the United States, the concept is being used to mark the legacy of those held in bondage from the 1600s to the end of the Civil War. Arlington is the first community in the South to have embraced the effort.
"As we get more and more in Arlington, which is the plan, you will see how powerful they can be," Kaplan said.
Michael and Barbara Raizen have for three decades lived in the home adjacent to the new markers.
"Barbara and I are proud to be a part" of the effort, Michael Raizen said. "These two individuals, Con and Killemacse, will not be forgotten."
"History is not always pretty" but learning it is "absolutely critical," said County Board member Susan Cunningham, who spoke at the event.
Cunningham was joined by her colleagues Takis Karantonis and Julius "J.D." Spain, Sr., as well as Del. Patrick Hope. She said the memorial markers play a crucial community role.
"They really are bringing the voice of humans back to our community so that we can claim them," Cunningham said.
While nothing is known of what became of Con and Killemacse or their descendants, the record contains more information about their enslaver.
Hurst grew wealthy buying up land for farming operations. Eventually his holdings totaled hundreds of acres and a large number of enslaved workers.
On Hurst's death circa 1789, neither Con nor Killemacse appeared on the estate inventory, as would be the norm for the enslaved during that era.
"We do not know what happened to them, although Killemacse, who is described as older, may not have survived," historical society officials said. "Con could have been sold prior to Hurst's death."
Scott Taylor, who heads the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, said the goal of the Memorializing the Enslaved initiative is to "promote justice -- a critical step toward healing."
"Acknowledging our past is not about guilt," he said at the ceremony. "It's good we tell the truth. It is essential to acknowledge that slavery has no 'bright side' -- [it was] immoral and downright evil."
The brass plaques are crafted by students at Arlington Tech at the Arlington Career Center. The county government has committed funding to place 30 of them per year, and the historical society is seeking contributions of $300 per plaque to augment that number.
"Anyone can sponsor," said Nancy Pilchen, who describes herself as the "salesperson" of the program.
The initiative, now in its third year, is picking up steam, Kaplan said.
"Neighborhoods are excited about these, communities are excited," she said.