In honor of our one of our namesakes, Mrs. Mary Peake, the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation gathered at her family plot in Historic Elmerton Cemetery, Poplar Street side, at 4:00pm, Monday, February 22, 2021, for a moment of silence and reflection. Mrs. Peake died on February 22, 1862. Mrs. Peake devoted full measure to her community. She was brave when she decided to teach Black people how to read and write which defied Virginia law. She founded the Daughters of Zion, which attended to the needs of those bereft by enslavement. She was indeed someone who cared about her race and believed in self-sacrifice.
A wreath was placed at the Peake Family Plot, where Mrs. Peake’s remains are alongside her husband, Mr. Thomas Peake. Mr. Peake was a Union spy, one of the first trustees of First Baptist Church, and rose to become one of Elizabeth City County’s first Black Constitutional Officers.
Councilman Steven Brown offered a memorial prayer. The public was invited to attend.
For more information, contact Board President, Dr. Colita Fairfax at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Board of Directors:
Eric W. Claville, JD, MLIS
Phil R. Egert, Ph.D.
Angela Goodloe, Ed.D.,
Vice-Chairman Ross Mugler,
Fundraising Chairman Lloyd Seay,
Building Project Manager Ryan Taylor,
Secretary Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Ph.D.
Benita Toler, Ed.D. Erik T. Wilson, M.Ed.
Colita Nichols Fairfax, Ph.D., President & Co-Founder
Mike Rau, Webmaster
Dr. Mary T. Christian, Founder