The Isaac Holleman descendants research team presented their research for the Isle of Wight County Historical Society‘s Juneteenth program. My fourth great-grandfather Isaac Holleman was born enslaved in 1818. He was granted his freedom at the age of 18 and reenslaved at the age of 30. During the Civil War, Isaac self-emancipated, fleeing to Fortress Monroe with his 3 children (by free woman Malinda Pretlow) in tow. Also, with him was his new wife Ann Gray. After the war, they returned to Isle of Wight County where they bought a 50-acre farm. Isaac and Ann had 9 more children.

I descend from Isaac Holleman and Malinda Pretlow.

Side note: One of my Holliman cousins asked me if I was there because I’m a Holliman because she saw me at Jones Grove Baptist Church for Allmond Day. That’s what happens when you’re lineage is from a small town. So many people are related in multiple ways. As it turns out, while I did not know her, my grandmother knew her very well.