Burkley Bullock
Burkley Bullock (sometimes spelled Berkeley or Berkley Bullock) was an African American entrepreneur, real estate investor, and community organizer.[1]Web. Burkley Bullock (ca. 1830–1908), Scot French, Website, Encyclopedia Virginia, April 14, 2022, retrieved August 9, 2022.</ref>
Early Life
Bullock was born in Louisa County around 1830. The entire Bullock family, including both of his parents, were enslaved by wealthy financier and merchant John R. Jones, who often did business from his second home in Albemarle County, 109 East Jefferson Street, colloquially known as Social Hall. [2] Bullock worked in the house when Jones and his family stayed at Social Hall.[1] During his time at Social Hall, Peter Fossett, also enslaved there, taught Bullock to read and write. Fossett had in turn been taught to read and write by Thomas Jefferson's grandson, Lewis Randolph, before the Fossett family was sold away from Monticello at the 1826 mass auction after Jefferson's death. Teaching an enslaved person to read was illegal in Virginia at the times both men learned to read. When Jones discovered that Bullock could read, he put him to work in the commissary, and possibly rented him out to "Colonel Jones' store" on Main Street.[1]
In 1855, after several failed financial ventures, Jones auctioned off much of his personal property, including the Bullock family. Bullock's mother was sold for five dollars to a William Brand. Bullock was sold to an S. Maupin for $1,205. According to the 1860 census slave schedule, Socrates Maupin of the University of Virginia enslaved a man matching Bullock's age and description.[1]
Bullock tried to emancipate himself several times. In his most storied attempt, he reached the Ohio River under the cover of darkness, using moss and lichens growing on trees to find his way north by touch alone. He was captured before he could cross the river and was taken back to Albemarle County as a fugitive slave, but his story inspired other enslaved people in Charlottesville. Bullock was able to emancipate himself (means forgotten) after the University of Virginia surrendered to the Union on Liberation and Freedom Day. Bullock's granddaughter asserts that he was able to buy his mother's freedom before the end of the war.[1] Mary L. Minor (daughter of law professor John B. Minor and Socrates Maupin's neighbor) wrote in April of that year that Bullock left with one of Maupin's horses and his family, which by then included his wife, Mary Ann Washington Bullock, and several young children.[1]
Career
In September 1868, Bullock purchased a half-share in 243 acres of farmland in Albemarle County near Earlysville. The other half share was held by another African American couple, William and Caroline Brown, who secured the $3000 deed of trust with a house and lot they owned in Charlottesville.[1] This was Bullock's first property purchase.
Late Life and Death
Bullock's headstone lists his date of death as January 23, 1908. He was buried in a family plot at Daughters of Zion Cemetery in Charlottesville. The Daily Progress, which typically ignored the Black community, published his obituary and funeral details on the front page of their January 25 issue. In contrast to the 1890 Corks and Curls profile and the Progress' typical tone towards African American people and affairs, which relied heavily on racial stereotypes, the obituary was respectful, listing Bullock's achievements and even deeming him "respected throughout this community" and a "pioneer businessman."[1]