Yesterday's Architect · c. 1735–?

Edith Cumbo

Free Black woman in 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia, who farmed 50 inherited acres and ran a laundry and domestic services business as head of her own household. In 1778 she sued a white man, Adam White, for trespass, assault and battery in York County Court and won.

Read the Yesterday's Architects profileEdith Cumbo: Free, Armed With an Account Book, and Nobody's PropertyMar 24, 2026 · Read →

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People

son; served at Valley ForgeDaniel CumboBEJ profile
fatherRichard CumboBEJ profile

Institutions and enterprises

documented byColonial Williamsburg Foundationinterprets her life; named her a 'Nation Builder'BEJ profile
foundedEdith Cumbo's laundry and domestic services businesswashing, pressing, sewing and domestic managementBEJ profile

Places

born in · c. 1735Charles City County, Virginiaborn freeBEJ profile
held property inWilliamsburg, Virginiainherited her father's 50 acres; grew corn, wheat, barley, tobaccoBEJ profile
worked inWilliamsburg, Virginiahead of her own household by the late 1770sBEJ profile

Events

lived through · 1778Edith Cumbo's suit against Adam White (1778)plaintiff; won and was awarded one shillingBEJ profile
lived throughAmerican Revolutionhad to choose sides to protect her status and propertyBEJ profile
lived throughHalifax County Court case against Edith Cumboaccused of a child out of wedlock; case dismissedBEJ profile

Themes

Personal services and tradeslaundry and domestic servicesBEJ profile
Politics and civil rightswon a suit against a white manBEJ profile
Real estate and landinherited and farmed landBEJ profile

Only relationships stated in a BEJ profile or a cited record are shown, each with its source.