Elizabeth Parilla
Elizabeth Parilla
Family of Mr. J. Andrew Jones, Mrs. Parilla's father
Photo courtesy: Rev. Dr. Julie Grace
Photo courtesy: Rev. Dr. Julie Grace
Mrs. Elizabeth Parilla
Mrs. Elizabeth (Jones) Parilla was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Andrew Jones and grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood around Scotland and Henry Streets. Her family later moved to Braxton Court.
Mrs. Parilla's family lineage runs deep in the Williamsburg area, and her family has been involved in the Historic First Baptist Church for generations. Her father, James Andrew Jones was a deacon and the chairman of the Deacon Board and was responsible for negotiating with Colonial Williamsburg to relocate the First Baptist Church to Scotland Street in the 1950s. Mrs. Parilla carried on this legacy, serving as chairman of the Missionary Society for many years. Her descendants, such as granddaughter Rev. Dr. Julie Grace, have continued this service to the church.
In the oral history below, Mrs. Parilla provides a vivid picture of Williamsburg in the early 20th century when Black homes and businesses could be found on Duke of Gloucester Street and the surrounding area. She reflects on the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg that displaced these residents and intensified residential segregation in Williamsburg.
"When I was in my childhood days I lived in a white neighborhood on Scotland and Henry Streets, right across from where that drive-in bank is. There was Mrs. Reed and children, Dr. Henderson was further down. We were the only Black kids in that block...And that's where I grew up."
Interview with Elizabeth Parilla | April 30, 1984 | James City County Oral History Collection | Special Collections Research Center | William & Mary Libraries
Family of Mr. J. Andrew Jones
Front row: Gracie Jones Murray (Rev. Dr. Grace's aunt) holding Samad Khabir Boyce (Rev. Dr. Grace's brother), and Julia Parilla Boyce (Rev. Dr. Grace's mother)
Photo courtesy: Rev. Dr. Julie Grace