Slave; African American; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Henry Johnson was born a slave around 1835 on the Fleet Plantation. He later became the butler at the Fleet Plantation house. After the Civil War Mr. Johnson became a wagoner.
Henry Johnson; Malinda Johnson; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
The home was built by Henry Johnson in 1865 after the end of the Civil War on Rome Street in Petersburg, VA. Henry Johnson had been born a slave on the old Fleet Plantation, now the site of Virginia State University. The house is still standing.
The Reverend Jacob Brinton Smith, DD Was Born March 1, 1822. He Was Ordained Deacon on December 25, 1845 by The Right Reverend Bosworth Smith, Bishop of Kentucky, Who Was Presiding Bishop From 1865 to 1884. In 1867, The Reverend J. Brinton Smith...
William H. Miles Was Born a Slave In 1828 and Freed In 1854. He Joined the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) In 1855 and the Church Licensed Him to Preach in 1857. Over the Next 22 Years, He Lead a Church That Grew Into One of the Largest In the...
African American; Freed slave; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Rosetta McCray was born a slave in Petersburg, Virginia. Her father John McCray was able to acquire her freedom in the 1840s. She married John Henry Hill and bore two children before leaving Petersburg for Canada. While there, their two sons...
Freedom fighter; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
John Henry Hill was born a slave in King and Queen County, Virginia, in March 1828. He escaped from the institution of slavery in 1853 and fled to Canada. He was very active in the Underground Railroad movement in Canada. After the Civil War...
DeLong, Mary A. [Ann] Craig, 1865-1960; Southern University and A & M College--Students
Black and white photograph of Mary A. Craig DeLong. She was Southern's first student to enter the premises at Southern University when it was chartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Born Into Slavery On July 3, 1842 Near Columbus, Georgia; Bishop Holsey Of The C.M.E. Church And Local Resident Of August, Was the Prime Mover In The Founding Of Pain College. In 1882, As a Fraternal Messenger, He Appeared Before the General...
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Laura Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 19 years old and had been born in Canada.
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Nelly Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 17 years old and had been born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
African American; Legislator; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Delegate Peter J. Carter 1844-1888, was born a slave in Northhampton County, Virginia. He was elected first Rector of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on February 15, 1883.
First Day Students; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Susie Hill was in the first class of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute on October 1, 1883. She was one of seven daughters of John Henry and Rosetta Hill. She was 20 years old and had been born in Canada.
Principal; Female; African American; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Kate Hill Colson, was the oldest child born to John Henry and Rosetta Hill. After the Civil War they returned to Petersburg, and Miss Hill attended the St. Stephen's Normal School in Petersburg. She was one of the first African American school...
Secretary; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
Charles James Daniel was born in Orange County, Virginia. Before coming to the Institute he had studied at Howard University, and was a graduate of the Richmond Institute in 1878. He taught school in Louisa County, Virginia, and from 1882 to...
School Teacher; Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute
William Henry Johnson is shown in this 1889 wedding photograph with Mrs. Nannie Brewer Johnson. William Henry Johnson was the son of Henry Johnson, who had been born a slave on the old Fleet Plantation site. Mrs. Nannie Brewer Johnson was also...
Bishop Aaron Hunter Was Born In April 26, 1854 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He Graduated From Amherst College in 1876 and Union Theological Seminary in 1879.
Faculty Member; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
Edna Colson was born in 1888 to James and Kate Hill Colson. She graduated from Peabody High School in 1904 and Fisk University in 1908. She continued with her education earning a B.E. from Fisk University, a B.S. from Teacher's College and a...
Faculty Member and Alumnus; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
Amaza Lee Meredith was born in Lynchburg, VA in 1895. She earned a certificate in Rural Education in 1915 from the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. She returned to the Univeristy and in 1922 graduated with a Normal Degree as...
History of the University; Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute
The 1924 Founder's Day Address delivered by William Henry Johnson. Mr. Johnson was the son Henry Johnson who had been born a slave on what became the campus of the Virginia State University.
Otelia Shields; Newspaper; Virginia State College for Negroes
A special edition of the Virginia Statesman, published to honor Mrs. Otelia Shields Howard who had passed away. Mrs. Howard had been credited with establishing the student newspaper and it's high standards. Mrs. Otelia Shields Howard, Associate...
