African American History

H. T. Burleigh Was One of Music’s Great Figures
Vineyard Gazette
Harry Thacker Burleigh, eminent composer, singer, and arranger of Negro spirituals — and who was for more than thirty years a summer resident of the Vineyard — died in Stamford on Sept. 11 at the age of 82. He was one of the great figures in music in his generation.
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Powell Wins Nomination
Vineyard Gazette
Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York city, and a summer resident of Oak Bluffs, won both the Republican and Democratic nominations for congressman in the 22nd district in New York on Tuesday. He is apparently assured of election as the first Negro representative from New York.
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Frederick Douglass
Vineyard Gazette

While upon this subject, it may not be out of place to state that Frederick Douglas, the colored gentleman and orator, will lecture before an “Association of gentlemen,” at the Town Hall on Saturday evening next. We are not advised as to his subject, but suppose from his antecedents, that he will treat mainly upon this subject of slavery in our country.

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Citizens of Edgartown Opposed to Slavery
Vineyard Gazette

The citizens of Edgartown, opposed to the further extension of slavery in this country, assembled at the Town Hall on Friday evening last.

E. Marchant was chosen Chairman, and Henry A. Coffin, Esq., Secretary.

The following gentlemen were elected Delegates to the Worcester Convention, to nominate candidates for State Officers, viz: - John Vinson, J.R. Dillingham, Harrison P. Mayhew.

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Town Meeting
Vineyard Gazette

The following business was transacted at the adjourned [Edgartown] town meeting, on Wednesday last.

The tenth article of the warrant, relative to the support of Nancy Michael, was taken up. -

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An Old Landmark Gone
Vineyard Gazette

Mrs. Nancy Michael, known to most our readers by the familiar cognomen of “Black Nance” is no more. She departed this life on Saturday last, at a very advanced age. Probably she was not far from 100 years old. She had changed but little in her appearance for 40 years past; and those who knew her 50 years ago looked upon her as an old woman. She was a very remarkable character in her day.

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Slaves
Vineyard Gazette

We learn that two or three slaves, fresh from the South, were in town last week. They were conveyed to New Bedford by one of the colored residents of Chapaquidic.

 

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A Runaway Slave
Vineyard Gazette
The Bark Franklin, which arrived at Holmes Hole on the 12th inst, from Jacksonville, Florida, had a slave on board, who secreted himself in the hold, when the vessel was loading. During the night, while the vessel was lying at anchor, he took a boat, and made good his escape to the shore; since which his whereabouts have been known only to a select few. He was from 25 to 30 years of age. The Franklin was bound to Hallowell, Me.
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In Heated Election Year, Views on Race Stir Hutchins Forum
Alex Elvin

The Republican party, Donald Trump and the media all came under fire in this year’s Hutchins Forum, in the midst of what will surely be remembered as one of the most consequential presidential elections in modern time.

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The Dred Scott Decision
The Vineyard Gazette

The decision of a majority of the Judges of the Supreme Court adverse to the right of citizenship of this individual, has called forth many severe comments from the press in the free states, and also from the pulpit. Personal abuse of the Judges expressing this opinion, and especially of Chief Justice Taney, has characterized many of these strictures.

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