Martin Delany was a man who made a habit of defying the odds. He was self-educated in a time when, for Blacks, being educated could mean death. He was a physician, author, business owner and military pioneer at a time when African Americans were still counted as chattel and their intelligence doubted.
And beginning next month, West Virginia officials will mark the 200th birthday of this groundbreaking American and are seeking his descendants to be part of the year-long celebration.
“We as a country and especially Black people must know our history and learn from it. Martin was a great life, provided so much for so many, yet very few know of him,” said George Rutherford, president of the Jefferson County, W.Va. NAACP and coordinator of the Martin Robison Delany 200th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration Committee.
Born a free Black man in 1812 in what was then Charlestown, Va., (now Charles Town, W. Va.) Delany learned to read by eavesdropping outside the classroom of his White friends. When officials sought to jail his mother for the infraction—Blacks were prohibited by law from seeking an education—she fled with her children to Chambersburg, Pa.
Barred from learning in his early years, Delany later became one of the first Blacks to be admitted to Harvard Medical School, where he was not permitted to continue due to the objections of the White students who resented being in a classroom with a negro. In spite of it not being clear if he ever earned a medical license, according to Guinevere Roper, lead park ranger, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Delany treated cholera victims during epidemics in 1833 and 1854 in Pittsburgh, Pa., when many doctors and residents fled the city.
In addition to a career in medicine, Delany also owned a newspaper. But he also distinguished himself as a racial activist. An African-American abolitionist, Delany buttressed the efforts of John Brown, the famed abolitionist.
“Delany is significant to U.S. and Black history because he was in the forefront in the fight to end slavery,” Rutherford told the AFRO. “It has been stated that John Brown struck the first blow for ending slavery by attacking the arsenal in Harpers Ferry in 1859, that ultimately led to the Civil War. However, it was Delany who met with John Brown in Chatman, Canada in 1858 and organized the constitutional convention which laid the framework for John Brown to move forward.”
Delany also sought to elevate Blacks by imbuing them with a sense of racial identity and self-determination. He was “arguably, the proponent of American Black Nationalism,” said Roper, who is responsible for gathering Delany’s descendants.
Convinced at one point that Blacks would not get a fair shake in the United States, Delany proposed that Blacks form a new country somewhere in the West Indies or south America, an idea he outlined in his book, The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States.
But Delany may have more significantly impacted the course of Black and American history by his efforts during the American Civil War.
He met with President Abraham Lincoln and suggested that men of color be allowed to serve as soldiers in the Union army. Lincoln, it is said, sent a memo to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, imploring him to “Do not fail to have an interview with this most extraordinary and intelligent Black man.”
Delany was a recruiter for several U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) regiments including the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers. He was later commissioned a major, becoming the first Black line officer in the U. S. Army. He died in 1885.
Rutherford said the group is commemorating Delany’s life with lectures, essay contests and other activities throughout 2012. Notably, Delany’s descendants will be honored during the African American Cultural Heritage Festival held this year Aug. 17-19.
“We want African Americans to remember the hardships and struggle of those who came before us that had to endure and overcome in order for us as a race of people to be where we are today,” Roper said of the commemoration.
DELANY BICENTENNIAL
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Date: May 3, 2012 – Thursday
Activity: County Proclamation
At the regular Jefferson County Commission meeting the Commission will issue a proclamation recognizing and endorsing the Martin Delany Commemoration Celebration.
Date: May 5, 2012 – Saturday 2-4 p.m.
Activity: Forum – Delany’s early years, life in Charles Town
A discussion on the life of Delany in Charles Town before his family was forced to flee to Chambersburg, Pa.
Location : Fishermen Hall 340 South West Street, Charles Town, W.Va.
Date: May 6, 2012 – Sunday 3 p.m.
Activity: Delany Birthday Party (200 years)
The official Delany 200th Anniversary birthday cake will be cut. Local, county and state officials will be invited to participate along with any descendants. The Martin Delany Essay/Media Contest winners will be announced. Party is free and open to the public.
Location: Star Lodge #1 Masonic Hall 240 S. Lawrence St. (Delany Place), Charles Town, W.VA.
Contact Maurice Ballard 304-820-6236
Date: May 18, 2012 – Friday 7 p.m.
Activity: Martin Delany (History Alive)
Joe Bundy will deliver a portrayal his History Alive presentation of Martin Delany, followed by a question and answer session. Bundy may also give his presentation at the Job Corps during the day.
Location: Fishermen Hall also at one of the local school during the afternoon.
Contact James Tolbert 304-725-7852
Date: May 18, 2012 – Friday 8 a.m.
Activity: The 1st Annual Martin R. Delany’s Scholarship Golf Tourney
Profit from the tourney will be used to fund the Martin R. Delany’s Scholarship Fund
Location: Locust Hill Golf Club – Charles Town, W.Va.
Contact Maurice Ballard 304-820-6236 or geraldmaurice@aol.com
Date: May 21, 2012 – Monday 7 p.m.
Activity: Forum – Delany life between leaving Charles Town (1822) and the beginning of the Civil War (1861). Relationship with Frederick Douglass and John Brown. His role as an author and editor.
Location: CT Library Lower level
Contact James Surkamp 304- 261-7911
Date: TBA
Activity: Delany’s Room Dedication
The American Public University System(APUS)will dedicate a room in honor of Delany at the APUS building at North George Street in Charles Town, W.Va.
Contact John Hough
Date: August 13, 2012 – Monday 7 p.m.
Activity: Martin Delany / John Brown meeting
Detail presentation of the historical meeting of John Brown and Martin Delany in Canada in 1858.
Location: Fishermen Hall
Contact Bob O’Connor 304-535-2627
Date: August 17, 2012 – Friday 6 p.m.
Activity: Descendants’ reception and party
Location: County grounds, Corner of East Washington & North Samuel St. Charles Town
Contact Lyn Widmyer 304-279-3201
Date: August 17 -19, 2012
Activity: 20th Annual African American Culture & Heritage Festival
The festival is being dedicated in honor to Delany. Descendants are invited to participate in the annual parade that will take place on Saturday at 12 noon which take place down the main street in Charles Town. Educational, health, vendors, food, festive and other activities will take place at the festival ground located at 301 South Lawrence St. Charles Town.
Contact Warren Stewart 304-229-7248
Date: September 15, 2012 – Saturday
Activity: Placing of historical markers
A wayside exhibit will be place near Delany’s birth site. This is part of the Annual Charles Town Heritage Days activities Location The 200 block of West Liberty Street in Charles Town
Contact Doug Perks 304-725-2208
Date: September 17, 2012 – Monday 7 p.m.
Activity: Forum – Delany life during and after the Civil War 1861 – 1885
Will cover the Civil War, the reconstruction era, politics, Masonic activities, death
Location: Star Lodge #1 (240 South Lawrence Street)
Contact James Taylor 304-725-7242
Date: November 19, 2012- Monday 7 p.m.
Activity: Film presentation A film on the life of Delany, produced by Jim Surkamp
Location: Fishermen Hall
Contact James Tolbert 304-725-7852
