William Obediah Robey

William Obediah Robey was an American Presbyterian minister and teacher in Leesburg, Virginia. He is the first African-American known to have taught school in Loudoun County, Virginia and was the first African-American member of the Leesburg Presbyterian congregation.

Biography

Early life Robey was born in Fairfax County, Virginia and moved shortly after to the adjacent Loudoun County. In 1834, he was arrested and imprisoned after being suspected of being a runaway slave, but he was able to prove that he was free. He then took up an apprenticeship with slaveholder and farmer Edward Hammat until 1841. After finishing his apprenticeship, aged 21, he moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue an education. The name was chosen to continue his legacy as a pastor and educator. William Obediah Robey High School provides an alternative education program to assist Loudoun County Public Schools students whose education has been interrupted by external circumstances and challenges. The school is located at Dominion High School in Sterling, Virginia.