Historical Marker Commemorates Forced Exodus of Black Residents from Gwynn's Island
A historical marker has been unveiled in Mathews County, Virginia, to commemorate the forced exodus of Black residents from Gwynn's Island in the early 20th century. The exodus was precipitated by a racially charged incident in 1915, where a Black man was jailed following a fight with two White men. This event led to rising racial tensions and the eventual departure of the island's Black community. Descendants of the displaced residents gathered to unveil the marker, which faced opposition from current island residents who disputed the narrative. The marker was ultimately placed on the property of First Baptist Church, the county's oldest Black congregation. 
