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Interviewee: Edward Lowe

Interviewers: Steven Payne and Mark Naison

Summary by Sarah Neiman

April 6, 2022

Edward Lowe is a Bronx resident with a successful career in the medical field and a deep rooted family history that has greatly impacted who he is today. Lowe’s family came from Louisa County, Virginia, where they lived on The Garland Plantation, a plantation that was inherited from slave owners where members of Lowe’s extended family were enslaved. Lowe has cousins in Louisa County named Charles Hayden and Joyce Minor Hayden. Joyce’s father, Lewis Minor, was originally a farmer on the plantation where his family was enslaved. Lowe tells the story about how his family obtained the plantation.

There was a Civil War battle at the Louisa Courthouse and, as a result, his family moved south into an area neighboring the Garland plantation. Soon, they got word that union troops were moving South, and approached Frederick’s Hall, trying to get out of the way from the troops. Celie, a member of his family, went to the Garland sisters on the plantation and helped the sisters hide all of their family heirlooms. Because of this, the Garland family valuables were saved and the youngest Garland sister left the plantation to Celie’s daughter in her will when she passed away.

Celie’s daughter then married Alec Minor. That was how Lowe’s family inherited the plantation. They ended up building Mt. Garland Baptist Church, and the church ran a school after the Civil War during the Reconstruction. Lowe’s grandmother attended this school. The county tried to take over the school, but Lowe’s mother was able to stop the county from taking over the land. Lowe has a deep familial connection with Lousia County, and he still frequently visits there today. His family history in Louisa County has greatly impacted who he is today and the work he chooses to involve himself in as a medical professional.

Members of Lowe’s family continue to stand up for their values and help others. This willingness to fight for what is right dates back to a very important member of Lowe’s family, Edmund Kelly. Lowe shared a photo of Kelly’s letter to Abraham Lincoln on August 21st, 1863. The letter is titled “The Colored Man’s Interest in the Present War.” He wrote the letter supporting the recruitment of troops for the U.S. Colored Troop at the time. Kelly was also known for being a minister. He bought himself and Betty out of slavery. To Lowe, the Civil War is alive in both sides of his family history. This has led him to have a deep appreciation for his family and leaves him with the ability to speak about them honorably – highlighting their experience within the context of crucial U.S. history.

Lowe’s mother, Mary J Lowe, purchased a home in City Island in 1969 so that her commute to work was easier. They were one of the first Black families to settle down in the area. They had a tough time at first because they were paying the mortgage on the house as well as the tuition of Lowe and his sister Leslie. Lowe ended up getting a scholarship for medical school because of this. After he finished medical school, Lowe practiced at a community health center in the North Bronx. The majority of his patients have been in the Bronx, with a few in the Manhattan and Yonkers area. He also did many home visits during his career.

Edward Lowe’s family history is dynamic, deep rooted, and shows a realistic snapshot of what it was like to be directly integrated within U.S. history. It is this deep history that has given him the wisdom and courage to apply within his career in the medical field.

Disciplines

African American Studies | Public History

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