African American Women in Antebellum Fairfax
In antebellum tax records it is often noted that the job of an African American woman was to “keep house”. However, their role in society stretched far behind the domestic duties that came with keeping house. They were not just laborers, but their influence on those who they came across and interacted with was deep and vital.
- Black women held the house together for many white families across Fairfax county. They performed day to day tasks that spanned from cooking to taking care of children. Through the cooking they performed, they relied on the African American culture and traditions to put together meals for the families they worked for. Along with providing sustenance, they were also the children of the families’ they worked for caretakers. It is a testament to the willpower of these women that they were able to balance the needs of their own children with the needs of those who were not biologically theirs.
Black women in the post-civil war period, and the Black community in general faced a heavy amount of adversity and attempted to dismantle the Black culture from the white population. In the face of such suppression, Black women became the ones helping to preserve Black culture in the homes of Fairfax. They did so through storytelling and spiritual practices, and this helped them and others stay connected to their roots. Despite all of the adversity they faced, the tender care they still provided to those that resented their freedom is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Black women in Fairfax County during this time period.