PAST & PRESENT
RECONSTRUCTING THE BLACK COMMUNITY The nation as represented by the army, Congress, and President Lincoln was compelled to confront slavery and prioritize its abolition as a military and political objective. In large part these actions were a result of the thousands of enslaved people who had emancipated themselves. Congress incorporated the “contraband” doctrine through legislation in 1861 and 1862 and permitted the harboring by the U.S. Army of fugitive formerly enslaved people. The contraband doctrine applied to those thousands who had already escaped, which helped to undermine the institution of slavery across the South. The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 was rooted in the existing policy.
Source: Everrett Collection
Association helped to establish Black schools, but Black people raised money to secure land, construct buildings, buy school supplies and pay teachers’ salaries.
Source: Everett Collection
RECONSTRUCTING THE BLACK COMMUNITY In post-Civil War Hampton Roads, especially during the Reconstruction period, Black people generously gave financially and leveraged other philanthropic resources to uplift newly freed Blacks. The Black community supported schools for Black children, established Black churches, developed institutions like hospitals, and formed social and political organizations. The Freedmen’s Bureau and the American Missionary
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In Suffolk, the Reverend William W. Gaines, pastor of the First Baptist Church, established the Nansemond Normal and Industrial Institute. In Suffolk County, farmer and carpenter Axium J. Holland contributed his land to build an elementary school. Willis A. Hodges, the son of prosperous free Blacks in Princess Anne County (later the city of Virginia Beach) co-founded the Ram’s Horn newspaper, opened a school and became very involved in the Republican Party to support radical reforms and racial equality.17 After the Civil War, Blacks of Hampton Roads continued to establish churches, support schools for Black children, and form social organizations. Established by London-based philanthropists in 1760, the Bray School of Hampton Roads was one of the earliest schools for Black children in North America. However, the Bray School was an exception among area schooling for Black children. Black schools depended largely on support from Black philanthropists and Black churches. In Williamsburg, Black churches began educating Black youth prior to the creation of Virginia public schools.18 Hampton Roads’ Black community also sup-
