VIENNA, Va. — Hidden among the neighborhoods of Tysons, the Carter Family Burial Plot is the last surviving physical reminder of the Carter family and the once-thriving Freedom Hill community.

In 1842, Keziah Carter, a woman of Tauxenent/Pamunkey ancestry, purchased 50 acres of land here after securing the freedom of her enslaved husband, Robert Carter. At a time when Black and mixed-race families faced extraordinary legal and social barriers to land ownership, the Carters established a home and farm that became the heart of Cartersville, one of Fairfax County's earliest free Black communities.

Their descendants left a lasting legacy. During the Civil War, Lucy Carter carried manumission papers to prove her free status and was granted special Union travel passes in 1864. Historians believe she may have served as a Union informant, helping support the Union cause during one of the nation's most turbulent periods.

Today, the Carter Family Burial Plot at 1737 Key West Lane, Vienna preserves the resting place of this pioneering family. Although only one headstone—Millie Carter Whales—remains visible, historical records indicate that several members of the Carter family are buried here. Preservation efforts continue to ensure that their story is not forgotten.

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