Mr. Monroe N. Work, who has spent some time establishing the official roster of Negroes who served in State conventions and legislatures, has turned over for publication the following letters giving the record of Peter G. Morgan, a prominent citizen of Virginia:
Mr. Monroe N. Work,
Editor Negro Year Book,
Tuskegee Institute, Ala.My dear Mr. Work:
I am extremely sorry that many pressing duties have prevented me from letting you have the information asked for in your letter under date of September 1st, bearing upon the late Peter George Morgan of Petersburg, Virginia.
I gathered from the information in possession of his sons, that he, (Peter G. Morgan) was in his day one of the most prominent colored men in the city of Petersburg. He was a carpenter by trade and followed said trade for a number of years. Later he acquired the knowledge of shoe making and became a first class shoemaker, which trade he also followed for a number of years before the Civil War. He was twice sold as a slave, and he purchased himself at $1,500 and completed the payment on the fourth of July, 1854 at the White Sulphur Springs, his master being part owner of the Springs at that time. Later on he purchased his wife, paying $1,500 for her and two small children in 1858, thereby himself becoming a slave holder. He removed to Petersburg in 1863 and continued to work at his trade as shoemaker. Meanwhile he made use of every possible opportunity to increase his knowledge of books, although he had no opportunity to attend any school. In this way he became a fairly well educated man, certainly ahead of many at that time, and at the close of the Civil War was able to train his own children and the children of his neighbors. He served in the Constitutional Convention of the State of Virginia in 1867, this latter date was given me this week by a gentleman in Richmond, who served as page in the Legislature of Virginia fifty years ago. I am enclosing a clipping which was passed into my hands a few weeks ago, which contains some of the names of those who served in this particular convention.[1]
It has occurred to me that the Rev. Dr. Bragg, of Baltimore, Maryland also served as page some time, later and perhaps he would be able to assist me in supplying correct data, provided errors are made in the dates in this correspondence.
Mr. Morgan served in the Legislature of Virginia two terms, 1869-1871, and 1871-1872.
Now, my dear Mr. Work if additional information is desired, bearing upon the late Peter George Morgan, please do not hesitate to command my services, and I shall be very glad to do my best to assist you.
With kind regards and best wishes, believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
Signed: James S. Russell,
Principal.
St. Paul Normal and Industrial School
Lawrenceville, Virginia,
October 23, 1920.Mr. Monroe N. Work,
Tuskegee Institute,
Alabama.My dear Mr. Work:
Your very kind letter of the 18th instant has been received and contents carefully noted. I have delayed replying to your letter that I might secure definite information from the Register of the General Assembly of Virginia. My letter to you contained information from the memory of my brother-in-law and another aged gentleman, with whom I conferred regarding the information you had asked me to supply. I have just secured first hand information which contains practically the same information as given in my letter, still it comes with authority. You will note please the slight correction to be made in reference to the years he served in the Legislature of Virginia.
You have my full permission to use the matter in any way you see fit, making the slight correction in the dates the Hon. Peter G. Morgan served in the Legislature.
With kind regards and best wishes, believe me,
Sincerely yours,
Signed: James S. Russell,
Principal.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Governor's Office
RichmondOctober 22, 1920.
Dr. James S. Russell, Archdeacon,
St. Paul Normal and Industrial School,
Lawrenceville, Virginia.My dear Dr. Russell:
The Register of the General Assembly of Virginia, on p. 409, carries the information that Peter G. Morgan of Petersburg, was a member of the Convention of 1867-1868; was a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia at the session of 1869-70, and in 1870-71.
I hope that this is the information you desire.
Yours very truly,
Signed: LeRoy Hodges,
Aide to the Governor.
The Education of the Negro
Captain A. B. Spingarn has supplied the following valuable information given in these extracts from the laws of the State of New York:
May 10th, 1923.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson,
Journal of Negro History,
1216 You Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.My dear Dr. Woodson:
The following extracts from the Session Laws of the State of New York for 1826 and 1832 may be of interest. I did not see mention of the latter one in your invaluable, The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861.
"Chap. 145 of Laws of 1826.
An Act to provide for the colored Persons who are occupants of Lots in New Stockbridge.
Passed April 11, 1826.
1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the commissioners of the land-office to cause letters patent to be issued to the persons respectively, who have been reported by the appraisers of lands in New Stockbridge, as colored persons, for the lots set to their names as occupants, in the same manner as grants of land are authorized to be made to those who have been so reported, as white persons persons settled on said land: Provided ..."
"Chap. 136 of Laws of 1832.
An Act to constitute the coloured children of Rochester a separate school.
Passes April 14, 1832.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
1. The commissioners of common schools of the towns of Gates and Brighton, in the county of Monroe, or a majority of them, may in their discretion cause the children of colour of the village of Rochester to be taught in one or more separate schools.
2. The commissioners of common schools of the towns of Gates and Brighton, shall discharge the duties of trustees of such school, and shall apportion thereto a distributive share of the moneys for the support of common schools."
Very sincerely yours,
Arthur B. Spingarn.
"Chap. 145 of Laws of 1826.
An Act to provide for the colored Persons who are occupants of Lots in New Stockbridge.
Passed April 11, 1826.
1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the commissioners of the land-office to cause letters patent to be issued to the persons respectively, who have been reported by the appraisers of lands in New Stockbridge, as colored persons, for the lots set to their names as occupants, in the same manner as grants of land are authorized to be made to those who have been so reported, as white persons persons settled on said land: Provided ..."
"Chap. 136 of Laws of 1832.
An Act to constitute the coloured children of Rochester a separate school.
Passes April 14, 1832.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
1. The commissioners of common schools of the towns of Gates and Brighton, in the county of Monroe, or a majority of them, may in their discretion cause the children of colour of the village of Rochester to be taught in one or more separate schools.
2. The commissioners of common schools of the towns of Gates and Brighton, shall discharge the duties of trustees of such school, and shall apportion thereto a distributive share of the moneys for the support of common schools."
Very sincerely yours,
Arthur B. Spingarn.