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Free black man masters making furniture during time of slavery BY JUDIE HOLCOMB-PACK POR THE CHRONICLE Slavery was the order of the day in North Carolina in the early 1830s, but one free black man became so influential that the General Assembly passed a. law in his favor after pressure from the white people in his com munity. Who was this man? Thomas Day. Thomas Day was bom in 1801 in Halifax County, Virginia. Record-keeping was not very accurate at that time, but it is believed that his mother was a Native American. Tom was bom free because his moth er was free. He was educat ed, could read and write, and at an early age began learning the woodworking trade, probably as an indentured servant. According to Virginia law, his indenture had tp end when he reached the age of 21. In 1823, Tom moved to Milton, North Carolina, intending to stay for four years to learn the furniture trade from local craftsmen, after.which he would return to Virginia to marry his sweetheart, Acquilla, another free black .who lived in Halifax County. Almost 30 years later, Tom wrote this to his daughter, "I came here to stay four years, and am here 7 times 4." He lived in Milton for the rest of his life. But how did he become so influential that he could persuade the General Assembly to change a law in his favor? That is the fas cinating part of his story. As Tom's reputation for quality furniture grew, so did his reputation as a good man. He was described as "a first-rate workman, steady and industrious." Tom was also a devout Christian and during that time, traveling preachers held camp meetings throughout the South. These were open to all - black and white, enslaved and free - and Tom attend ed these revivals. This gave Tom the opportunity to get to know and become friends with many of the town's white people. In 1827, Tom spent $350 and purchased his first workshop. He adver tised in the Milton Gazette, thanking his patrons for their business and advertis ing that he carried mahogany, walnut and stained fiimiture, including bedsteads. Soon planters were asking him to com plete whole rooms of furni ture. His business was booming, but he couldn't forget his true love, Acquilla. Tom continued to work toward his goal of marry ing Acquilla and bringing Photo by Eric B levins Pieces from the Thomas Day Collection in the N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh, are shown. . 'Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker' The Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, will present "Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker: Man in the Middle" on Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. Filmmaker and educator Laurel C. Sneed will present a lecture on Thomas Day, remembered as the black craftsman who ran the largest furniture business in the state during the time of slavery. A skilled artisan and savvy businessman, Day's shop turned out striking beds, bureaus, tables, sofas, and chairs that are just as highly coveted today as they were over 150 years ago. This dynamic, mediated presentation encourages audi ence participation as they analyze historical evidence and explore the mystery of one of our state's most extraordinary and fascinating historical figures. Call 336-703-2920 for information and to sign up for the program, which is a North Carolina Humanities Council Road Scholars presentation. pieces for the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He provided the fur- - nishings for the Presbyterian Church in Milton with the under standing that his family would be allowed to sit in the pews, not in the back of the church. He manufac tured furniture for state buildings in Raleigh. This allowed Tom to send his children to the North to be educated at a private school uTMassachusetts. In 1857, America expe rienced a financial panic and Tom was becoming pinched by creditors in the North and debtors in the South. Although Tom's business had been quite successful for many years, by 1858 things were becoming shaky. His cus tomers were not paying him and as a black, he could not enforce payment. By 1859, he began selling his tools, land, horses and slaves. It is believed that Tom died in 1861 at the age of 60. He is buried on a farm about two miles from Milton. Many pieces of his fur niture survive and are treasured pieces in collec tions, such as in the North Carolina Museum of History. ? Thomas Day is known as the Master of Mahogany. Thanks to col lectors of his furniture, his torians and museums, his legacy lives on to this day. her to live with him in Milton. However, a law passed in 1826 almost brought an end to his dream. The law stated that no free blacks could enter the state. Those who crossed the state line and stayed for more than 20 days paid a fine of $500, an exorbitant fee in those days. Ignoring the law meant arrest and enslave ment for 10 years. Tom decided to move his business to Halifax County and marry Acquilla. When the resi dents of Milton head this, they sent a petition to the General Assembly in Raleigh requesting that a bill be passed allowing Acquilla the privilege of migrating to the state, free from fines and penalties. The law passed and in 1830 Tom married Acquilla. She moved to Milton and short ly after they began to start their family. The 1830 census shows that Thomas Day was truly an unusual man. Not only was he a free black person living in a slave state, he was also wealthy. He was an artisan who trained white apprentices. He owned two slaves, which allowed him to teach them a trade as well as to protect them. Tom's marvelous furni ture was sold throughout North Carolina. He made UNC-TV airs talk with Harvey Gantt today SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE In this installment of Biographical Conversations, UNC-TV's first person documentary series. Shannon Vickery interviews Harvey Gantt. It airs at 10 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 18. Gantt's journey began in the segregated neighbor hoods of Jim Crow Charleston, eventually leading to the mayor's office in Charlotte, through two high-profile Senatorial campaigns against one of the nation's most powerful incumbents, to an enduring > 'legacy as a founding part ner of one of America's most prestigious architec tural firms. Along the way, he led a lunch counter protest in Charleston while still in high school, and then, at the age of 20, singlehand edly integrated Clemson University, becoming the first African-American to attend a public college in South Carolina. After college gradua tion, marriage, and a move to Charlotte, he began his climb up both the profes sional and political ladder. With partner Jeff Huberman, he began his own architecture firm. And on the political front, he joined the Charlotte City Council, and ultimately served as mayor. A few years later, his campaign to defeat Republican Senator Jesse Helms became an interna tional news story. But Harvey Gantt went on to design some of Charlotte's most striking buildings, sealing his enduring legacy. Now through Feb. 29 - Movies celebrating African-Americans The Carver School Road Library will be showing movies celebrating the achievements of African Americans. Call 336-703-2910 for dates and times. All ages are welcome Feb. 18 - Black Male Symposium Today, Feb. 18 at 10 am. and 6 pm., the Black Male Symposiuih and theatrical performance will be held in K.R. Williams Auditorium on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. The symposium will feature the play "We Shall Overcome" by Fotget Me Not Productions, directed by Garrett Davis, and will be followed by a panel discussion at 11:30 am. about the play and other civil rights issues. (There will be no panel discussion after the 6 pm. performance.) Feb. 18 - Black History Month Panel The Black History Month Panel will be held today, Feb. 18,4:30 pm., in the Shirley Auditorium of Salem College Fine Arts Center. It is a space to have an open discussion on issues of inclusivity related to (but not limited to) race, class, gender & sexual orientation. The panelists include Salem students, Salem faculty, and representatives from the Winston-Salem commu nity. An open question and answer session follows the panelists' position statements. All are welcome to attend. Sponsored by BADU (Black Americans Demonstrating Unity). For more information, please contact the BADU President Kenysha Clear at kenysha.clear@salem.edu or the BADU Advisor, Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, at k.hines gaither@salem.edu Feb. 18 and 25 - Crafternoon for all ages Carver School Road Library will hold "crafter noon" for all ages on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. Join us for a" special Black History Month program using everyday, inexpensive materials to create a wonderful take-home craft. Call 336-703-2910 for details. Feb. 19 - Lego Lab The Carver School Road Library will host a Lego Lab with a Black History Month theme on Friday, Feb. 19 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm. Feb. 19-21 - 'We Shall Overcome' play The play "We Shall Overcome," created by acclaimed playwright Garrett Davis, _____ will be staged at Hanebrands Theatre for I four performances Feb. 19-21 as part of I the 2016 Gdavis Urban Theater Series. I "We Shall Overcome" delivers a pro- I found message of finding hope, dignity * and spiritual growth even during times of adversity. The play explores the ere _r it ? c *1 xt xn.i * Davis auun ui mc oouuicni rNun-vioicm Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which resulted from sit-ins organized by Ella Bake. Baker was the Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) (played by Latonya Simms from Mama's Girls), who was concerned that SCLC, led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Lutjier King, Jr. (played by Brian Cager) was out of touch with younger African-Americans who wanted the civil rights movement to make faster progress. For further information, visit www.weshallovercome.me. Through Feb. 21 - The Stained Glass Playhouse presents 'The Piano Lesson" In Honor of Black History Month, the Stained Glass Playhouse will host a production of "The Piano Lesson" by renowned African-American playwright August Wilson at Marvin United Methodist Church, 4401 Indiana Ave. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on the following days: Friday, Feb. 19, Saturday, Feb. 20, and at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. The director of the production is Rob Taylor and the stage manager is Maybelle Steele. The cast includes: Damon Davis, Derrick Parker, Hayden Crawford, Kathryn Mobley, Ameerah Slade-McKinney, Bunchy Carter, Austin Frye and Sherri Williams. Tickets are .available for adults at $16, for seniors at $13, and for students at $11. To purchase tickets, visit www.stainedglassplay house.org or call 336-499-1010. Feb. 21 - Building a Safer Community Forum The Friends of The Malloy Jordan East Winston Heritage Center Library located at 110 East 7th Street will host a forum in honor of Black History Month on Sunday, Feb. 21 from 2 to 5 pjn. The theme will be "Building a Safer Community," which will include various topical discussions centered on the police interactions in our community. Several officials of the city have been invited to discuss various topics and answer questions that can help us all make our com munities a safer place. Some discussions will be: what to do if you are stopped by the police; what are the rights of a school resource officer; what are our rights with cameras filming a police incident; why are we still dealing with these issues and where do we go from here; among other topics. Everyone is asked to come and support this community forum. Students are welcomed as well from local schools and colleges. For more information, call Andrea Walker at 336-749 5090. Feb. 21 - City Police, Fire Departments to honor retired personnel, contest winners !t| On Sunday, Feb. 21, the Police and Fire depart ments will hones' their retired, personnel and the win *i ners of the Black History Month coloring and essay contests during the third annual Public Safety Black S History Month Celebration. The celebration will be held at 3 p.m. at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, * 4129 Northampton Drive. During the program, the Police Department will honor retired Captain Terry Jones and retired Sergeant Stephen Hairston for their service. The Fire Department will honor retired Captains Gary Brown and Aldine Cloud for their serv ice, and Battalion Chief Shirese Moore, the first female African-American in the department to hold this rank. The public is invited to attend. For more *. information call CityLink311. ?> Did you know... that using the knowledge of Onesimus, a slave, an inoculation method for smallpox practiced in Africa saved numerous lives after a smallpox epidemic broke out in Boston in 1721? King for City Council Northeast Ward Keith King "We Are Better 2Gether" 336-722-4170 king4citycouncil@outlook.com ErtcS Ellison Attorney At L?w Is Your License Revoked or even Permanently Revoked? I May Be Able to Get You a Driving Privilege. Is the Ball Bondsman Too Expensive? Maybe You Need to try a Property Bond. Call Mel 117 North Marshall Street Winston Salem. NC -7101 (Just North of hi Street) Phone: (.176) 73-7.170 Pax (.1.16) 77.1 7.177 ell isonlaw (o eanltlink.net "Dedicated To Providing You The Beet Service." / R39 BriBB ^^HL^r, I ? | MgESHNMHMti LOUISE 9 WILSON kVVlV* ??????" BIKMER Slt?NT AUCTtON ? mikmmmi WNN.BSI.9Hi/flRliTS 336.722.9408 SB&TBAUPMIKSTUIUM wwRtrantniMM 951 BallparkWay/ Wmstsn-SaiemNC
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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