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2021 SESSION

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21103520D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 275 Offered February 1, 2021 Commemorating the life and legacy of Moses Grandy. ----------
Patrons-- Hayes, Jones, Adams, D.M., Carr, Cole, M.L., Delaney, Heretick, Hope, Kory, Levine, McQuinn, Rasoul, Reid, Scott, Simonds and Ware
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WHEREAS, Moses Grandy, an entrepreneur, author, and abolitionist, was born enslaved in Camden County, North Carolina, in 1786; and

WHEREAS, Moses Grandy cut timber and operated boats along the Dismal Swamp Canal, a historic landmark and a site on the Chesapeake African American Heritage Trail; and

WHEREAS, Moses Grandy became highly skilled at navigating boats along the canal and was allowed to keep a portion of his earnings for bringing white merchants’ goods into Norfolk and Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, Moses Grandy saved enough money to buy his own freedom but had his savings stolen twice by his masters; his third attempt was successful, and he relocated to Boston to avoid capture and further enslavement; and

WHEREAS, Moses Grandy went on to buy the freedom of his wife and other relatives, and one of his descendants estimated that he had spent approximately $3,000 to free his family from bondage, the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars today; and

WHEREAS, Moses Grandy published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy; Late a Slave in the United States of America, galvanizing other abolitionists through his courage, determination, and intellect and enlightening people of many backgrounds about the evils of slavery; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, a portion of Virginia State Route 165, running west from Dominion Boulevard in Chesapeake toward the Dismal Swamp Canal, was renamed as the Moses Grandy Trail in his honor; and

WHEREAS, generations of Moses Grandy’s family have carried on his inspirational legacy, with many of them still residing in southeastern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the life and legacy of Moses Grandy hereby be commemorated on the occasion of the 235th anniversary of his birth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to family members of Moses Grandy as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his contributions to the history and heritage of the Commonwealth.