Page, Ann Randolph Meade

(Dec. 3, 1781-Mar. 28, 1838). Anti-slavery advocate. She was born at “Chatham,” Stafford County, Virginia, and was the sister of Bishop William Meade of Virginia. On Mar. 23, 1799, she married Matthew Page, a wealthy planter. He built a stately manor and named it “Annfield” in her honor. Matthew Page had about 200 slaves on a plantation of 2,000 acres, outside of Berryville, Virginia. Ann was raised in a Christian family. She had an evangelical faith combined with concern for the welfare of slaves. She believed that God had given her a sacred calling to be an emancipator, which she termed “this holy work.” Her constant prayer was “O that slavery's curse might cease.” She and her brother were supporters of the American Colonization Society, which transported freed slaves to Liberia. When her husband died in 1826, Ann worked almost ceaselessly for the emancipation of slaves and for the evangelization of Africa. She died at “Annfield.”