Outside of academics, historians, and journalists who have been researching jails that held African-descended enslaved people, there is a very low awareness of these places, including one of the most notable examples, nicknamed ‘The Devil’s Half-Acre.’ Built in Shockoe Bottom (Richmond, VA), the jail imprisoned enslaved people until they could be sent to the auction block, or because they were runaways, or because their enslavers wanted to mete out more ‘extreme punishment’ to them. Robert Lumpkin, one of the most prolific enslavers of the 19th century, presided over the notorious jail in Richmond, which at one point became the second largest slave market in the United States behind only New Orleans.
Lumpkin imprisoned, tortured, raped, and committed countless atrocities against the enslaved people in this jail, including Mary Lumpkin, who was just 13 when he forced himself on her. Becoming his wife, Mary gave birth to seven of his children, five of whom survived. She raised these children in a brick compound that was part of the jail.
It was not until 2008 that an excavation took place in Shockoe Bottom over what was Lumpkin’s Jail. A parking lot had been built over it as well as the unmarked graves of enslaved people who had been held there.
In a forthcoming book by journalist Kristen Green called The Devil’s Half-Acre (April 2022), the author expands significantly on the life of Mary Lumpkin, and how she blazed a path of liberation for thousands. When her enslaved passed on, Mary transformed this jail into “God’s Half Acre,” a school where Black men could fulfill their dreams. It still exists today as Virginia Union University, one of America’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
It is hugely important to find out more about figures like Mary who did so much and are underrepresented in history books, or about whom not much is known. A recent move in the right direction is the recent announcement that Richmond City Council approved funding toward a National Slavery Museum in Shockoe Bottom, which will be near the site of Lumpkin’s jail.
Anita E. Siraki, Library Professional 
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