Simon Warren, a former slave from Sampson County, received a new monument in his honor, which was unveiled Saturday and is the first in the Warrens’ new family cemetery.
According to Warren’s grandson Charles Warren, Simon was born into slavery on a plantation in Sampson County in 1856. On the headstone, it mentions that Simon was listed as “mulatto” in the 1880 census, meaning he had a white parent and an African-American parent. It is speculated that his father was the slave master of the plantation. Simon would later emerge as a free man after the Civil War in 1865.
In 1916, Simon and his wife, Lugenia Warren, recognized the profound importance of education in uplifting their community. They founded the Piney Grove Sampson County Board of Education School, reflecting their dedication to fostering knowledge and skills among local children.
“The history of Simon Warren does not exist in isolation; it is interwoven with the larger narrative of African Americans in the South post-Civil War,” said Charles. “The struggles for civil rights, economic opportunities, and social equality are reflected in his life story. Simon’s transition from bondage to becoming a respected community leader illustrates the profound changes that occurred over the decades, showcasing the resilience and fortitude of African-American families. As we look back on Simon Warren’s life, we see not just a historical figure, but a symbol of progress and hope. His commitment to education, community welfare, and family values resonates with the ongoing efforts of many to carve out a better future for themselves and their descendants.”
The process of getting the monument and the land for the new cemetery was spearheaded by Garry, Charles, Thomas and Jerome Warren after a family reunion. Initially, Garry was the owner of the land the cemetery is on. However, he later gave it to the family for everyone to use as a family cemetery.
“This project started off with the monument,” said Charles. “Everyone in the family donated to the monument. We had to add more money to the project to ensure we got the monument we did. Garry and his family donated the land to the family because they felt like they needed to give the land back to the family of Simon Warren who gave it to them. After that, we had to remove all the trees and basically get the land cleared up.”
When Charles called Garry about selling the lack back to the family for the cemetery, Garry was opposed to the idea of selling it, so he donated it.
“I don’t like selling anything, especially land,” said Garry. “I donated it back to the Simon Warren family. We got together and none of us grew up there and so none of us wanted to live there. We thought the smarter thing to do would be to turn it into a cemetery. That way, by the time all of us are dead and gone, we’ll still be filling that cemetery with Warren blood.”
Pride runs deep in the Warren family. After the donation of the land, the Warren family already began letting other family members know that there would be a place for them to rest when the time came. As the cemetery land now belongs to the family, they are tasked with maintaining it, ensuring that Simon and all the other Warrens’ legacies live on.
“Simon Warren’s legacy is further cemented through his descendants and the community connections they maintain. The cemetery where he is buried stands as a testament to the family’s deep roots in Sampson County,” said Charles. “The deed associated with this cemetery not only lists Simon and Lugenia but also includes entries for their descendants, ensuring that their family members can honor their heritage and continue the legacy of community service and education.”
According to Charles, there are plans to make the school established by Simon into a museum, another way to preserve their family legacy.
“Simon Warren’s legacy lives on through his family, the Piney Grove School, and the community he helped to uplift,” said Charles. “The Simon Warren Family Historic Cemetery and the 3.4 acres of land donated back to the family from his descendants to the cemetery is working on Piney Grove’s school to make a museum to save his and the Black community history. This school not only served as an educational institution but also as a beacon of hope for future generations, emphasizing the transformative power of education.”