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Topics Related to African American History
In the early decades of the 1900s, Durham acquired national reputation for entrepreneurship. Businesses owned by African Americans lined Parrish Street. Among them were N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Co. (moved to Parrish, 1906), led by John Merrick, Dr. Aaron Moore, & C. C. Spaulding, and Mechanics and Farmers Bank (1907), led by R. B. Fitzgerald and W. G. Pearson.
Burwell family slave, bought freedom, 1855. Dressmaker & friend to Mary Todd Lincoln. Published her memoir, 1868. Lived here, 1830s.
Black business leader. In 1898 he founded what is now N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company. His grave is 85 yds. N.W.
Born into slavery. U.S. Congressman, 1889-1893. Superintendent of Colored Orphanage of N.C., 1907-1935. Grave 8/10 mi. N.E.
Free black cabinetmaker in Milton, 1824-1861. Home and shop located here in the old Union Tavern, 1848-1858.
During the 1920s-1940s, Durham was home to African American musicians whose work defined a distinctive regional style. Blues artists often played in the surrounding Hayti community and downtown tobacco warehouse district. Prominent among these were Blind Boy Fuller (Fulton Allen) (1907-1941) and Blind Gary Davis (1896-1972), whose recordings influenced generations of players.
Founded 1883. Pioneer Negro child-caring institution, serving on state-wide basis.
Negro educational and religious leader. Founder of a college (1910), now N.C. Central University, its president to 1947. Grave is 1 1/2 miles S.E.
Founded 1910 by James E. Shepard for Negroes. State liberal arts college, 1925-1969. Now a regional university.
First African American female Episcopal priest; lawyer, activist, poet, & human rights champion. Wrote Proud Shoes, 1956. Childhood home ¼ mi. S.