John Henry Yates (1828-1897) was born into slavery in Virginia. Although Virginia law forbade the teaching of slaves to read or write, the children of Yates’ master taught a young Yates how to read. The Bible was his favorite book. As a young man he “married” (marriage being informal for slaves, due to state laws)…
The reorganization of the Southern states continues. Today U.S. President Andrew Johnson appoints James Johnson (1811-1891) as provisional governor of Georgia. Johnson remains in office for most of the rest of the year, guiding the state through the initial stages of repealing Georgia’s Ordinance of Secession and formally abolishing slavery. On this same day, Virginian…
Following a meeting of Richmond-area black citizens at the First African Baptist Church of Richmond on June 10, five representatives from that meeting visit with U.S. President Andrew Johnson this day to voice their complaints of how Richmond’s white citizens are yet denying freedoms to blacks. Making matters worse, Federal military authorities were collaborating in…