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Today Marks 146th Anniversary of the First African American Elected to Congree

Original post made by Historian, Menlo Park: Belle Haven, on Dec 12, 2016

146 years ago today Joseph Rainey, became the first African American elected to Congress. Joseph Rainey was born into slavery. His parents Grace and Edward L. Rainey were the property of a wealthy Democratic Plantation owner and worked long arduous hours on their master's plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina. Joesph Rainey's father was allowed to work part time as a barber provided he shared half his earnings with his Democratic slave owner. His father raised enough money to buy his freedom along with his wife and his son's freedom.

There was a resignation in the South Carolina delegation in the 41st Congress and the Republican Joseph Rainey ran against the white Democrat C.W. Dudley. The African American Republican won against the White Democrat and took office in the House of Representatives 146 years ago today.

Comments (1)

Posted by Toy C
a resident of Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Dec 12, 2016 at 5:35 pm

Thanks H. Nice story. Continue with the rest of reconstruction?

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