The Greene County Heritage Trust held its 37th annual "Early American Christmas Dinner" on Thursday evening at the General Morgan Inn.

More than 200 guests attended the $30-a-plate dinner held by the organization that works to preserve the history of this community.

The evening's speaker was Dr. Marion Lane, an African-American who is inspector general of the Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge.

Six generations of Dr. Lane's family have served in the U.S. military, serving during the American Revolution, Civil War and World War II.

She recently retired as a special education supervisor for Bucks County, Pa.

Dr. Lane spoke about some of the first Africans who came to America and the thousands of African-Americans who served under George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Lane said the first Africans to arrive in America came in 1619 from Angola and were not slaves, but rather indentured servants who were able to gain their freedom after seven years of service to their masters.

She said research has determined that the first Africans to come to this continent, 17 female and 15 males, were Christians, having been converted to Christianity by the Portuguese, then a major colonial power that controlled Angola.

Dr. Lane said, "It wasn't until 1641" that slavery was institutionalized in America, slavery initially having been "legalized in Massachusetts."

She spoke proudly of an American patriot, "my fourth great-grandfather, Sgt. Isaac Brown" who was

"born a free black man in Charles City County, Virginia. He was a fourth-generation resident, with his forebearers having been indentured servants."

Dr. Lane said records show that "Isaac enlisted in the Continental Line (patriot army) on Jan. 1, 1777. He assisted in establishing American independence while acting in the capacity of sergeant in the 7th, 11th and 15th Virginia regiments.

"Sgt. Brown served under George Washington at Valley Forge. He also served in the battles of Guilford Courthouse, Siege of Fort 96 and Eutaw Springs. He received the balance of his pay for his service on April 5, 1783."

Dr. Lane added, "At least six other members of the Brown family served in the Revolution."

She recalled that in 2008 more than 200 people gathered in Charles City County, Va., to dedicate a monument "recognizing 26 men of color who were known to have taken part in the Revolutionary War as soldiers, or as contributors of goods.

"These men were among the 5,000 to 20,000 men of color who took part in the war," she said.

Bill Hickerson, the Heritage Trust's outgoing president, noted that the organization was founded in 1973 with its first chairman having been John M. Jones, who is publisher of The Greeneville Sun.

Robert H. Bailey, a Heritage Trust board member, then announced awards to:

* Hickerson, who received the President's Award and thanks for his service as the Heritage Trust's president during 2009;

* Wayne Conduff, who received a Special Award for his decades-long project of "recording Greene County historic homes and preserving pioneer recording history."

Bailey said that Conduff has "produced an impressive collection of more than 7,000 Land Grant properties ... In addition, he has photographed some 30,000 gravestones in 357 cemeteris in Greene County."

* Bobby Blue, a retired Greeneville police officer, who received a Special Award of Merit "for his outstanding work in reclaiming the Midway Cemetery, located on land donated in 1892 for use as a church, school and cemetery for 'colored people.' " Blue was unable to attend the dinner.

* George Blank, a Heritage Trust member, who was presented a "Special Award of Merit" for his leadership in replacing 23 signs designating local historic locations;

* Shiloh Cumberland Church, which was presented a Special 150th Anniversary Award. Organized some 150 years ago, the church "is still an active and important part of the Greene County community;"

* Robert L. Smith, a member of the Heritage Trust's board for over 25 years, who for most of that time has served as the organization's treasurer.

The traditional dinner began at 7 p.m., having been preceded by reception with punch served in the hotel's lobby, starting at 6:30 p.m .

Velta Rhea Riley was the general chairman for the dinner and the lead organizer.

Marilyn Heilman, the Heritage Trust's 2010 president, spoke briefly at the program's conclusion.

She urged anyone in the community interested in working to preserve Greene County's heritage to join the Heritage Trust.