On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the northwest corner of Key Boulevard and Highland Street Arlington, VA 22201, the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington unveiled another set of “Stumbling Stones.” These bronze markers commemorate the lives of the enslaved people who helped build our county (and our country).
The Dedication Ceremony honored two once enslaved individuals:
Humphrey Albert: Born ca. 1841
Priscilla Willis: Born ca. 1852
These markers are placed in the sidewalk at the last known location where these enslaved people lived. Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington’s research has revealed over 2750 enslaved people and identified 1050 by name.
Their Story
Humphrey Albert and Priscilla Willis were enslaved by Robert and Catherine Cruit and later their heir, Susan Cruit. Humphrey’s mother was Betsey Docket from Maryland, whom Cruit had “purchased from a negro pen.” In 1859, Priscilla was bought by the Cruits for at the age of six. In the 1850s, the Cruits enslaved at least five other people, who will be honored at another time. Robert Cruit, a Georgetown resident, bought property in what is now Arlington in 1847 as a second home. Robert used enslaved laborers to operate his dairy farming operation. The Cruit farmhouse still stands today at 1614 North Highland Street.
On April 16, 1862, Humphrey and Priscilla gained their freedom when the D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Lincoln. The Cruits had fled to D.C. early in the Civil War when Union troops defending the capital overwhelmed most of Arlington. They took several of their enslaved people, including Humphrey and Priscilla, with them. Enslaved people remaining in Arlington remained in bondage until the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
For more information, please contact Jessica Kaplan from the Arlington Historical Society at ahsedlink@gmail.com.
