The Colored Convention

The Colored Convention

Chronicling America

Daily Dispatch

1875-08-20

[PAGE 01]
THE COLORED CONVENTION.

A Caucus to Prepare Business.

TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.

MUCH TALK AND LITTLE BUSINESS.

AN ALL-DAY DAY SESSION.

PERSONNEL OF THE CONVENTION.

Checkered Life of the Members.

A JOHN-BROWN FOLLOWER WAS ONE OF THE DELEGATES.

OTHER FEATURES OF THE GATHERING.

[PAGE 02]
- &c., &c., &c. - The Convention of the colored people of the State, in response to a call signed by a member of the colored members of the General Assembly of Virginia in March last, assembled in the old Academy of Music, just below the Exchange Hotel, on Franklin street, yesterday at noon. [unclear][/unclear]

CAUCUS.

Before the Convention met there was a caucus of the delegates, which was presided over by Taxewell Branch, while E. A. Whiting acted as secretary. It was expected that this caucus would cut and prepare all the business for the Convention; but alas! how different was the result. What this caucus did has not yet transpired.

[PAGE 03]
THE CONVENTION.

At noon the doors were thrown open, and a large number of visitors entered the hall. The floor of the hall was occupied almost entirely by members of the Convention, although a few females and one or two white men ventured to take seats. In the gallery, besides a number of colored persons, were Messrs. Samuel F. Maddox and S. P. Lathrop, of the Senate,—the the latter gentleman enjoying himself with a cigar—while while Mr. Annable, Sr., viewed the proceedings from one of the private boxes. Rev. W. B. Derrick. Rev. William Troy, and Landon Boyd occupied seats upon the floor of the hall.

[PAGE 04]
THE CALL READ.

A few minutes after 12 o'clock the Convention was called to order by Senator J. M. Dawson, from Williamsburg, and at his suggestion Mr. Rufus S. Jones read the call for the Convention.

There appeared to be about one hundred delegates present.

TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.

Mr. Jones having read the call, Mr. Dawson said that the first business in order would be the selection of a temporary chairman.

Mr. Joseph Wilson, of Norfolk county, nominated by Mr. Peter J. Carter.

Mr. Josiah Crump, of Richmond, was also placed in nomination.

Mr. H. Clay Harris was also placed in nomination.

[PAGE 05]
Mr. Carter's name was withdrawn.
Mr. J. B. Syphax withdrew the name of Josiah Crump. [ [Applause.] Mr. Syphax hoped that Mr. Carter would receive the unanimous support of the Convention. Mr. H. Clay Harris's name was again placed in nomination. Mr. Harris: I decline the nomination.
Mr. Peter J. Carter was then unanimously chosen, and Messrs. DeMortie and Wilson ("Colonel" Wilson, said the chairman,) were appointed a committee to escort the temporary chairman to the stage. Mr. Carter was escorted to the chair, and then made a few felicitous remarks, and called the Convention to order.

[PAGE 06]
Messrs. Rufus S. Jones, Ambrose E. Whiting, C. L. Jones, and John B. Matthews were placed in nomination for secretaries.

Mr. Warwick moved that nominations be closed.

Another delegate rose to a point of order, when the chairman brought his gavel to the table, and continued to rap about twenty times at a time until order was restored.

After sundry points of order, calls for the pending question, &c., &c., Messrs. C. L. Jones, A. E. Whiting, and John B. Matthews were unanimously elected secretarie. . [/unclear]

The Chair appointed A. J. Spady sergeant-at-arms.

[PAGE 07]
On motion, it was ordered that the Convention be opened with prayer. Mr. Joseph Cox, of Richmond, introduced Rev. John Everidge, of Lynchburg, who prayed at length. On motion, it was ordered that the Chair appoint a committee on credentials. A delegate rose and endeavored to edge in a motion—but - but alas! the president's gavel came down violently upon the table, and he declared that he meant to knock all night if order was not preserved. If a gentleman wanted to speak he'd hear him, but he meant to rap until everybody else was seated.

[PAGE 08]
The Chair appointed the following Committee on Credentials: Ross Hamilton, R. H. Whittaker, E. D. Holloman, Austin Carter, A. J. Spady, James Lipscomb, J. S. Washington. The committee retired.

OUT OF ORDER.

Mr. J. T. Wilson, of Norfolk, moved that a committee of seven be appointed on permanent organization.

A Member: One from each congressional district.

Mr. Josiah Crump said that he didn't see exactly how a committee on permanent organization composed of one member from each congressional district could be appointed when the members didn't even know who were entitled to seats.

[PAGE 09]
A Voice: That's so.
The Chair: The point is well taken.
At this stage of the proceedings, on motion the Convention took a recess for fifteen minutes, but it proved to be forty. After recess, at 2 P. M., the Committee on Credentials not having reported, Mr. Everidge moved that the Convention take an additional recess until 2:30 P. M. An amendment to 3 P.M. An amendment to 3 M. was suggested. After sundry appeals from the decision of the Chair, a great deal of noise from the chairman's gavel, and several points of order, the Convention refused to take a further recess.

[PAGE 10]
REV. WILLIAM TROY.

A member now made a motion that Rev. William Troy, of Richmond, be invited to address the Convention while the Committee on Credentials was out.

Several objected, among them Mr. J. B. Syphax, who couldn't see why Mr. Troy should address the Convention; he was not even a delegate.

One of the secretaries, Mr. Whiting, said he didn't see what right Mr. Syphax had to state that Mr. Troy was not a member of the Convention when the Committee on Credentials had not reported.

[PAGE 11]
Mr. Syphax was allowed to continue not withstanding what the secretary had said; ; and he then gave his views us to what the Convention ought to do. He regretted that Mr. Troy was not a delegate.

Mr. Evans, senator from Petersburg, rose to a point of order. He thought that Mr. Syphax was wandering from the subject. It was not what the Convention should do, but whether the Rev. William Troy should be allowed to address the Convention. Mr. Evans further said that he did not even know whether Mr. Syphax was a member of the Convention or not. Mr. Troy was a distinguished citizen of Virginia and of the United States, and he hoped he would be heard.

[PAGE 12]
Several other members thought that Mr. Troy ought to be allowed to speak. The discussion was proceeding when about a dozen points of order were raised, and the

[PAGE 13]
chairman, as each member raised his point, hammered on the table until every other member was seated, much to the annoyance of the reporters, all of whom by this time had headaches from the very disagreeable and unparliamentary rapping which continued as long as Mr. Carter was temporary chairman.

Mr. A. V. Bachus offered a substitute for the original proposition to the effect that Rev. William Troy, Rev. W. B. Derrick, and Mr. Landon Boyd be invited to seats as honorary members of the Convention.

[PAGE 14]
The substitute and the original motion were both defeated--ayes, - ayes, 85; noes, 35 - the Convention having adopted the rules of the House of Delegates, which provides that when there is a tie vote the motion fails.

WRANGLING.

It was now 3 o'clock, with no apparent design on the part of the Convention to recess for dinner. They were as far from a conclusion as when they met at 12 o'clock.

Mr. Page, of Norfolk county, moved to adjourn until 8 o'clock.

[PAGE 15]
Mr. Everidge endeavored to pour oil on the troubled waters, but it was of no avail.

When Mr. Everidge took his seat nine delegates jumped up to say something. They were all finally rapped down, and Mr. Taliaferro, of Pittsylvania, was proceeding to give his colleagues some sound advice as to what they ought to do, when a member desired to make a statement.

Mr. Taliaferro inquired whether he would lose the floor if he yielded for the statement.

The Chair decided that under the rules of the House of Delegates, which have been adopted by this body, when the floor is yielded for any purpose the member could not claim it again.

[PAGE 16]
A dozen motions were now made.
The Chair finally caught a motion to adjourn; but Mr. Taliaferro wouldn't yield because he said the motion to adjourn was a mere trap--a --- a trap set by sharpers; and another point of order was raised. Mr. Taliaferro (aside): : You jes well let me go on, for I am goin to speak it out. [Laughter.] The Chair stated that he understood that the committee would not be ready to report for an hour. It was now 3:30.

[PAGE 17]
A member moved a recess until 4:30 P.M. M.
Another suggested 7 P.M. M.
The question on the last motion was taken, and the Chair decided that in his judgement it was carried. On division, however, the vote stood ayes, 22; noes, 48. Mr. Dawson moved to limit discussions to two minutes. Declared out of order. A vote was now about to be taken upon the proposition to vacate the chair until 4:30 P.M., when a dozen "pints of order" were made amid much more rapping from the Chair. A motion to recess until 5 P.M. was now put and carried.

[PAGE 18]
Afternoon Session.

The Convention resumed its session a few minutes after 5 o'clock, when the Committee on Credentials presented their report.

Delegates Present.

The Committee on Credentials presented the names of about one hundred delegates, representing forty-five cities and counties.

Among the members of the General Assembly present were, Messrs. J. B. Syphax, J. M. Dawson, Peter J. Carter, Ross Hamilton, W. H. Whittaker, Hill of Amelia, H. Clay Harris, James Lipscomb, Matt. Clarke, R. S. Jones, R. G. L. Paige, Frank Moss, Robert Norton, ex-Senator Moseley, and T. Branch.

[PAGE 19]
About forty points of order were raised and decided, and the Chair resumed the table-beating in hopes of preserving order.

On motion the report of the Committee on Credentials was received and adopted, and the committee discharged.

DEBATE LIMITED.

Mr. Moses Brooks moved that debate on all questions be limited to five minutes, and no member to speak more than once.

A member suggested that two minutes would be plenty long.

[PAGE 20]
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.

Mr. Washington, of King George, moved that a committee of seven be appointed on permanent organization. Mr. Read moved that the committee consist of nine. Mr. Cox didn't like a committee of nine, and he wanted a committee of thirteen. His proposition prevailed, and the Chair appointed the committee as follows: George T. Cook, R. G. L. Paige, C. J. Malord, Walter Watkins, Merritt R. Wallace, J. W. Matthews, Austin Carter, Rufus S. Jones, Joseph Cox, George Teamob, A. E. Whiting, John Everett, and E. D. Holloman.

[PAGE 21]
The committee retired, and after a considerable absence reported the following officers: For President, Colonel Joseph T. Wilson, of Norfolk. Vice-Presidents: J. Anderson Taylor, George Teamoh, Joseph P. Evans, John B. Syphax, Tazewell Branch, William H. Black, H. Clay Harris, W. R. Watkins, Henry Cox, and Ross Hamilton. Sergeant-at-Arms, M. B. Wallace. Chaplain, John Averett. Treasurer, Austin Carter. Secretaries: C. L. Jones, C. P. . Malord, Josiah Crump, and A. G. Lee.

Mr. R. Ruffin, of Dinwiddie, moved to amend the report of the committee so as to substitute the name of Hon. James P. Evans for that of Colonel Wilson for permanent president.

[PAGE 22]
Great excitement now prevailed, and the Chair used his gravel mercilessly, and the Convention was very noisy.

The Chair: You all might as well keep quiet, because I am going to sit here all night and crack walnuts unless you do. [Laughter.]

A dozen or more points of order were raised, and the Chair continued to hammer away upon the unfortunate table as if he were beating an anvil. The noise must have been heard a square off.

The motion to strike out Mr. Wilson's name and insert Evans's was agreed to—aves. - to—[unclear]ayes, 60; noes, 8.

[PAGE 23]
Mr. Syphax moved to reconsider, and spoke under the five five-minute rule.

Mr. Joseph Cox, of Richmond, followed Mr. Syphax, and said that this Convention was not for political purposes, but to discuss the best interests of the colored people of Virginia.

Mr. Paige, of Norfolk county, thought Mr. Evans ought not to have allowed his name to be used. It was wrong. The Convention had taken the man from the list who had done more good to the colored people than any three black men in the State.

[PAGE 24]
Mr. Malord spoke in favor of Mr. Evans.
Mr. Washington, from King George county, spoke in favor of Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Anderson Taylor was about to address the Convention when the confusion, disorder, and the noise of the chairman's gavel was so great that all business was entirely suspender. Indeed, the Chair continued rapping for about twenty minutes, but all to no purpose. Everybody was sick of the noise, and there seemed to be little chance for any business.

[PAGE 25]
Mr. Gilbert Boyd was disgusted that he couldn't be recognized, and spoke pretty plainly to the Chair, who again commenced beating the table, and finally beat Gilbert down.

After a delay of about half an hour, caused by the noise and confusion, the Convention refused to reconsider the vote-ayes, -- ayes 4; noes, [unclear]61[/unclear].

The report was then adopted as amended.

On motion, a committee of three was appointed to escort Mr. Evans, the permanent president, to the chair, and Messrs. Bland of Prince George, Malord of Franklin, and the Reid of Pittsylvania county, composed the committee.

[PAGE 26]
Mr. Evans was escorted to the chair, and said that it was with feelings of inexpressible gratitude that he took the chair. He felt that it was a very important position, and especially so as this Convention is called upon to deliberate upon grave questions. Upon the action of this Convention depends in a great measure the future of the colored people. He hoped the Convention would [unclear]act calmly[/unclear] and dispassionately, and take steps

[PAGE 27]
which will redound to the welfare of the colored race. He hoped they would lay aside everything else except what will do good to the race. He hoped they would do something to educate and make the people respectable. Politics is the last thing to be considered. The first thing to be done is to make a fair day's pay for a fair day's labor. The colored people need labor organization - an executive head in this capital. Suppose the black men were organized as the Irish and the Dutch and and the Americans. Why, then they would be a power in the land. The

[PAGE 28]
colored people united in united Virginia would hold the balance of power. He gave the members of the Convention some sensible advice, and after again returning his thanks took his seat.

"COLONEL" WILSON'S SPEECH.
Mr. Wilson, the defeated candidate for president, also addressed the Convention appropriately. He said it was the first time since the close of the war that the negroes had assembled in convention, and he hoped the grievances of the race could be properly represented to the officers of this State. In

[PAGE 29]
the course of his remarks he took occasion to say that the man who has charge of the educational interests of the State has offered the colored people the grossest insult. In the judges' seats, too, he thought there were some of the most partisan men. We are here, said he, to resent the insults to the colored people of Virginia, but not to array ourselves against the white people of Virginia. They have filled up the jails and penitentiary with our race. What State would make petit larceny

[PAGE 30]
a penitentiary offence? And now they want to disenfranchise a colored man because he takes a chicken when he is hungry. He knew no reason why the colored people should not say to the world that they are denied in Virginia the rights of citizenship. He hoped what was done here would be done in the interest of the negroes of Virginia. He said, in conclusion, that it was time - high time - the negro should free himself from those who have pretended to be his friends. He hoped that all had come prepared to fight that

[PAGE 31]
"Colonel" Wilson; issue. He wanted the colored people to say to the Germans and the Irish, If you legislate against us, we will be against you.

At the conclusion of the "Colonel" Wilson's speech and the permanent officers came forward and took seats upon the stage.

RESOLUTIONS.
On the motion, it was ordered that a committee be appointed on the resolutions, to consist of two from each congressional district; also a committee of ten on education; and fifteen on education and the press.

[PAGE 32]
On motion, Jefferson's Manual was adopted for the government of the Convention.

Mr. Anderson Taylor presented a resolution declaring that the Convention will consider no resolution which does not pertain to the general interests of the colored people, and that all resolutions shall be referred to the Committee on Business. Agreed to. /

THANKS TO GOD AND THE PRESIDENT GRANT ENDORSED.

Mr. Charles J. Malord presented the following:

[PAGE 33]
Whereas we have assembled in Richmond city this 19th day of August as colored men of Virginia,

Resolved, That we return thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we have been the recipients of in the last ten years.

Resolved, That the people should feel satisfied with the manner in which the affairs of the National Government have been administered, and we heartily endorse President Grant's administration. Referred.

By this time the confusion in the ball was

[PAGE 34]
at its height. Points of order, motions for the pending and the previous question, were made ad nauseum, and finally there appearing to be not the slightest chance for business, the Convention adjourned at 10:30 o'clock until 10 o'clock this morning. -

Personnel of the Convention.
The members of this Convention, or many of them, have had remarkable experiences. While talking with a number yesterday as to what they proposed doing for the colored people of Virginia the idea occurred to the

[PAGE 35]
Dispatch reporter that it might not be uninteresting to give a brief sketch of their lives, in order that our people may know who these negroes are that are coming to the State conventions and frequently occupying seats in the General Assembly. Here are some of them. They are worth reading:

J. B. SYPHAX, from Alexandria, thirty years old, was born at Arlington. His family was owned by the Custis and Lee estates. He was one of the principal movers in calling this Convention. He represented his county in the last session of the Legislature.

[PAGE 36]
H. Clay Harris, from Halifax, thirty-four years old, was raised by John L. Harris, of Buckingham county. In 1855 he was sent to Philadelphia and entered at the institute for colored youths, where he received his education. In 1861 he left Philadelphia and located in Ohio. In 1867 he returned to Virginia. In 1870 he was appointed United States marshal. In 1872 he was appointed assistant assessor for his county. He represented his county in the Legislature, session of 1874-'75.

[PAGE 37]
Peter J. Carter, Northampton, temporary chairman of the Convention, is thirty years old. Was raised by Calvin H. Read, of the above county. At the age of seventeen escaped through the lines and enlisted in the United States army. Served as sergeaat sergeant-major in the Tenth United States colored troops. At the close of the war returned to his old home. Was elected to represent his county in the House of Delegates, sessions 1872-'78 and 1874-'75. At present is a justice of the peace. Carter was twenty years old before he knew his alphabet. Entered the Hampton Normal School in 1868 and graduated in 1871.

[PAGE 38]
Charles J. Malord, from Franklin county. Was born at the Warm Springs, Bath county. Removed to Washington city when quite young. Is a graduate of the law department of Howard University. Was one of the vice-presidents of the Philadelphia Convention, in 1872, which nominated John F. Lewis for vice vice-president of the United States. At present is mail agent between Danville and Charlotte.

J. W. B. Matthews, Petersburg. Thirty-five years old. Held the position of United States gauger for three years. Represented Petersburg in the Legislature, sessions '71-2, '73.

[PAGE 39]
J.S. S. WASHINGTON, King George. Twenty-five five years old. Raised by Roy Mason, of King George. Escaped through the lines and went to Washington in 1862. Entered the Howard University. Graduated in the law department in '75, and is now practicing law in Washington city.

JOHN M. DAWSON, James City county, forty-five years old. Born and raised in the Gordon family of Alexandria. Located in Syracuse, N.Y. Y. Afterwards entered the Oberlin College, Ohio, where he was educated. Came to Virginia after the war, and is at present representative of the Twenty-eighth eighth senatorial district in the State Senate. Is a minister by profession, and has charge of the First Baptist (colored) church in Williamsburg.

[PAGE 40]
AMBROSE E. WHITING, of Portsmouth, Va., was born in Portsmouth, and is twenty-six years of age. He commenced going to school about 1863, when the northern teachers opened for the freedmen there, and after a few years' training was made an assistant teacher. Afterwards he went to Washington, entered the Law Department of Howard University, where he graduated in 1874. He is now practicing law in his native city and vicinity, having been formally admitted to the bar.

[PAGE 41]
J Joseph T. Wilson. From Norfolk city. Thirty-eight years old. Born in Norfolk. Left home when quite young and went to Boston, where he remained seven years. Shipped on board of a whaling vessel, and after a cruise of several years landed in South America, where he was engaged in building bridges on the line of the Don Pedro railroad. Returned to this country in 1862. Upon his arrival in New York he immediately started for Ship island, near New Orleans -- the headquarters of Beast Butler.

[PAGE 42]
Enlisted in the Second Louisiana colored troops. Participated in several engagements. Was wounded in the fights of Port. Hudson and Pascagoula; from the effects of which was discharged. Afterwards reenlisted in the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts regiment, and served until wounded in the fight at [unclear]Olcsta[/unclear], Fla. At the close of the war he returned to Norfolk, where he was elected a member of the City Council for several years. Was internal-revenue revenue gauger for several years, and is at present inspector of customs for the port of Norfolk.

[PAGE 43]
Willis A. Hodges, better known in this vicinity as "Old Specs." Has had a checkered life. He is the representative from the Princess Anne county, sixty-one years of age, and was born in Princess Anne county. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one he left the scene of his childhood and located in New York. He is a self-educated man. He was ordained as a minister of the Gospel of the Baptist Church in 1853. In December, 1844, he paid a visit to his home in Princess Anne county, where he was arrested as an abolitionist, and charged with attempting to incite an insurrection. He was lodged in jail

[PAGE 44]
and tried for his life, and after the second trial was acquitted. Upon his return to New York he took up the profession of journalist, and was the proprietor of a paper called the Ram's Horn, which he published for two years. He was intimately acquainted with John Brown, and was interested in the raid on Harper's Ferry. At the close of the late war he returned to Virginia and settled in the neighborhood where he was born. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1867, and has served as justice of the peace, as collector of United States customs, and at this time is a county magistrate.

[PAGE 45]
JOSEPH P. Evans, of Petersburg, is forty years old, and was raised by Robert G. Strong, of Dinwiddie. He purchased his freedom in 1859, paying the sum of $ 900 for the same, [unclear] $ 300 being in gold. By profession he is a Methodist missionary at large. He represented the city of Petersburg in the House of Delegates in the session of '71-'2. In 1873 he was elected to the State Senate to fill the unexpired term of ex-Senator Green. At the expiration of the session he was appointed United States Inspector of Customs for the district of Petersburg.

[PAGE 46]
Mark R. De Mortie. From Nottoway.
Forty-five years old. Born and raised in Norfolk. Is a self-educated man. Went to Boston at the age of twenty-two. Remained in Boston fifteen years, following the occupation of a merchant. Left Boston for Chicago, where he engaged in the real estate business. In 1869 he came to Virginia and entered largely in the manufacture of the oil of sassafras. In '72 he removed his mills to Burkeville, where he is now conducting the business.

[PAGE 47]
Joseph Cox, from Richmond city. Forty-two years old. Was born in the county of Powhatan of free parentage. Came to Richmond when a boy, and was placed in Hargrove's tobacco factory. Afterwards was employed nine years in the rolling-mills on Belle island and the Tredegar Works. Has filled the position of janitor of the custom-house very creditably for several years.

Alexander Bates, from Farmville. Forty-eight years old. Born in Halifax county, and raised by Joseph Williams. He removed to Farmville at the age of thirteen, and was employed in the store of C.C. C. Lockett. By

[PAGE 48]
strict economy he succeeded in saving enough money to buy himself from his master. He afterwards went to Washington and entered the Normal Institute, where he studied for the ministry. He graduated and was ordained, and now has charge of the First Colored Baptist church in Farmville. E.H.

H. BEVELOY, from Chesterfield, twenty-nine years old. Born in Caroline, and raised by W.L. L. Harrison. Sold in 1863 in Richmond, and purchased by Robert Davis, trader. Af Afterwards sold and resold nine times. Is by profession a dyking and ditching contractor, of Chesterfield.

[PAGE 49]
Josiah Crump. From Richmond. Thirty-seven years old. Born in this city. Son of Josiah Crump, the proprietor of the old Union Hotel, and the only colored man who ever kept a hotel for a white persons in this city. Afterwards stepson of James Robinson, a well-known teamster of days gone by, at whose death Josiah fell heir to his teams, and continued the teaming business until 1869, when he was appointed mailing clerk in the Richmond post-office.

[PAGE 50]
CAESAR PERKINS, from Buckingham, is thirty-six years old, was born in the above county, and raised by William H. Perkins. He represented his county in the House of Delegates in the session of '69-'70. Filled the position of township supervisor in '73, and was appointed assistant assessor, which position he holds at this time.

AARON B. PARKER, from Albemarle, was born a slave at Waterloo, Fauquier county; ; owned by Martin P. Brook, of Warrenton; was sold to Walter Preston, of Abingdon, Washington county; escaped through the

[PAGE 51]
lines; served in the Brownlow and Etheridge political campaign; in the fight of August, '65, received three severe wounds; resided in Knoxville eight years, and was the first colored man appointed on the police force. Finding the duties of a policeman injurious to his health he resigned; came to Virginia in '73, and settled in Charlottesville, where he is engaged in conducting a grocery.

[PAGE 52]
R. D. RUFFIN, from Dinwiddie, is forty-three years old; was born in King and Queen county, and owned and raised by Colonel A. Fleet. In 1862 he went off with the United States army, enlisted, and rose, as he says, to the "honorable rank of orderly sergeant." After the war he located at Yorktown. Afterwards went to Washington, entered the law school of Howard University, and graduated in '72. Settled in Alexandria, was elected sheriff in '73, resigned in May, '74, and was admitted to the bar. Subsequently he removed to Dinwiddie, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession.

[PAGE 53]
R. G. L. PAIGE, Norfolk. Born in Norfolk, Va., in 1846, of slave parentage. Was bought by a lady in Massachusetts in 1857. Entered Phillips's school, in Boston, and graduated in 1863. Went to the trade of philosophical-instrument instrument maker under E.S. S. Richie & Sons. Left the trade on account of ill-health. Came back to Virginia. Represented the county of Norfolk in the House of Delegates during the sessions of 1872-'73 and 1874-'75. Now holds the position of clerk in the custom-house house at Norfolk.

[PAGE 54]
William Lawson Vessells, from King and Queen, twenty-seven years old. Raised by R. F. Brown, of Essex, and served as officers' steward at Camp Winder from the breaking out of the war until the winter of 1863, when he went through the lines and was given the position of cabin steward on the ship Savannah. He afterward went to Europe on the ship Macedonian with the midshipman, under the command of Admiral Farragut. Granted leave of absence at Cherbourg, France, and made a tour of several of the principal cities of France and England in company with the officers of Admiral

[PAGE 55]
Farragut's staff. Returned to this country and settled in Richmond, and entered upon a course of studies under the tutorship of H. R. Bertram. In 1871 he went to King William county and commenced the profession of school-teacher. Appointed lighthouse house keeper on the 19th of April. Promoted by Secretary Robeson, and returned from that station in 1874.

ASA COLEMAN. From Halifax. Forty-four years old. Born a slave. Owned and raised by William Bailey, of Pearson county, N.C. C. Sold to Joseph Pointer and brought to Virginia. Represented the county of Halifax in the House of Delegates, session '71-'72.

[PAGE 56]
LITTLETON Owens. From Princess Anne county. Thirty-four four years old. Enlisted in the Second United States cavalry. Participated in many severe engagements around Richmond and Petersburg. After the surrender of Lee his regiment was sent to Santiago, Texas. Mustered out the service at Brazos Island in 1866. Returned to Virginia [/unclear] the [unclear] same year. Was elected justice of the peace brave[/unclear] in '69. Served two terms. Elected commissioner of roads in '74. P. D Pendleton

from Caroline, twenty-

[PAGE 57]
eight years old, born in Spotsylvania county. Owned and raised by Isaac W. Bullock. Was educated in Fredericksburg, Va., by the Presbyterian Home Mission Society. Was appointed postmaster at the Port Royal in 1872. Held the position some time. [insertion][/insertion]

No doubt many other members of the Convention have had singular and not uninteresting lives. Some with whom it was impossible to talk on account of of the noise and confusion wanted "the biographer man," as they termed him, to write them up, but it was impossible.

State Convention

Richmond

VA

USA

1875-08-19

1875-08-21

Library of Congress

1875.VA-08.19.RICH