Pete Hill’s gravesite marker. The event at Cooperstown was splendid. Only one part of the puzzle remained a mystery: Where was Pete Hill buried? It had been 59 years since his death. The search had never lacked dedication or diligence. Many had engaged in the hunt for Hill’s burial site, but perhaps none more diligently …
Hill Family at the “Pete” Hill Day program in front of the corrected plaque. One might have called it a pilgrimage as it certainly felt like one. Cooperstown, N.Y. is an out-of-the-way place not easily accessed. The residents fondly state, “six months out of the year it is difficult, but the other six it is …
Photo of Reuben W. Hill believed to be the father of John Preston “Pete” Hill courtesy of West Virginia archives The Hills William and Betty Hill of Madison County, perhaps members of the well-known, lighter-skinned Hill family of Culpeper and Madison, settled in the Buena area as early as 1870. Migrating with them were numerous …
Have you met “Pete” Hill? John Preston “Pete” Hill was an outstanding Negro Leagues Baseball player often talked about in the same sentence as the better-known Babe Ruth. In July of 2006, a man named Joseph Preston “Pete” Hill, born in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1880, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, …
By August 2009, the path to Hill’s personal life including his correct name, birthplace and birth date was well worn by at least a half dozen baseball historians. Yet, the data had not been compiled, analyzed and concluded. This was my first foray into the vast world of baseball history and I was duly impressed …
Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Buena, Culpeper Co., VA Research has proven irrefutably that Pete Hill was born in Virginia. But Virginia is a vast state and a birthplace often provides the single thread, imbued with color, character and strength, that connects the generations. Pete Hill’s Social Security application recorded Rapidan, Va., as his birthplace. …
Photo of Lizzie Seals contributed by the Pete Hill’s descendants. Baseball Hall of Famer and most likely the son of former slaves, John Preston “Pete” Hill, born in the village of Buena, Culpeper County, Va. in 1882, lived his entire adult life north of the Mason-Dixon Line. He played ball, not for fame or fortune, …
Last week’s column about African-Americans in the Locust Grove area was a big hit! I have received calls and emails regarding the families of Washington, Henderson, Nelson, Brown and Broadus/Broddus—just to name a few. I am thrilled with the response and the wealth of material these folks have collected and preserved. I am doubly thrilled …
Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Gov. Almond Road, Orange County, VA The folks that live in and around the Lake of the Woods (LOW) area of Orange County are very interested in learning more about the African American families that settled there after Emancipation. Last Friday, I enjoyed an opportunity to speaking about a few …
Anticipation! The magic potion that gets us up in the morning; gets us past the humdrum of routine, and often over the hump of life’s less than desirable events. It helps if the anticipation is for the promise of good things: presents, sweet time with family and friends, a great meal, good bottle of wine …