Meet the man born a slave later freed by his master, James Parks

James Parks (March 19, 1843 – August 21, 1929), born a slave but was later freed by his master.

James Parks, the first grave digger at Arlington National cemetery, Virginia, USA. From 1861 to 1929, Parks served in the U.S. Army as a grave digger and maintenance man for the cemetery.

William Henry Christman was the first soldier to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 13 May,1864.

James Parks helped historians locate some of the buildings and landmarks like: wells, springs, slave quarters, the slave cemetery, dance pavilion, old roads, icehouse, blacksmith shop, and kitchens that existed prior to the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery.

He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors granted to him by then Secretary of War Dwight Filley Davis, making him the only person buried there who was born on the grounds.