Emancipation Day Celebrations in Washington County Ohio

On June 28, 2006, Governor Robert A. Taft signed legislation enacting section 5.2234 of the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio House Bill 393, to designate September 22 as Emancipation Day in honor of the anniversary of the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862.

The First Ohio Colored Regiment. / John M. Langston, colored, made a speech at the Court House, Tuesday night of this week, in behalf of the 1^st Ohio Colored Regiment, in Camp Delaware – asking for aid and recruits. We did not hear him, but learn from several who did that he made an eloquent speech, not surpassed in power by any one who has spoken in Marietta, this year. The house was filled, and at the close, the sum of $260 was raised and paid for the Regiment. It will be borne in mind that the Government does not pay bounty as for white recruits, the law not authorizing it. The colored people present raised $10 towards procuring colors for the Regiment. Two recruits were obtained. Dr. Coulter will canvass the county for colored recruits. This regiment now has between 700 and 800 men in it. The Marietta Register, Friday, October 2, 1863, p. 3, c. 2. [This may not have been an Emancipation Day event, but it occurred near September 22 and Langston was the speaker on at least two subsequent Emancipation Day celebrations.]

The Marietta Register, July 29, 1864

Emancipation Anniversary. / The colored people will hold a Celebration on Harmar Hill, Monday, August 1st - forenoon and afternoon. Dudley Asbury of Harmar makes an address before dinner, and John M. Langston of Oberlin, one of Ohio's best speakers, at 2 o'clock P.M. A table will be furnished on the ground for dinner at reasonable rates. In the evening there will be a Festival at Marshall's Hall in Marietta, the proceeds to be devoted to the benefit of the Colored Church. The Marietta Register, July 29, 1864.

Celebration. / The ‘colored people’ of Marietta, Harmar, and vicinity, held a celebration, on the beautiful Harmar Hill, Friday, 22d inst., in commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. Wonder if the Copperheads think now that that Proclamation was a ‘bull against the comet!’ Prof. Ferguson, of Albany, Athens county, made a first-class speech – a speech, we are informed, for we were not there, that would have done credit to any ‘white’ man. Rev. Mr. Bartlett, of Barlow, and one or two others, addressed the audience – about 200 colored and 50 white. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 28, 1865, p. 3, c. 3. [Thomas Jefferson Ferguson (1830-1887), founder, principal, and president of the Albany Enterprise Academy (1863- 1886) in Athens County.]

The colored men of this county celebrated the anniversary of the preliminary proclamation of emancipation, at Vincent, Saturday, 22d inst. John M. Langston, the eminent colored orator, addressed them on that occasion. At night, on very short notice, the Court House in Marietta, was filled, to listen to Mr. Langston. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 27, 1866, p. 3, c. 1.

The "colored fellow-citizens" are to have a grand celebration in honor of the Emancipation Proclamation, at Fleming Station, Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, eastern part of Barlow township, Tuesday, 24^th inst. John M. Langston, the eloquent colored orator, is to be present, with other able speakers. It will be a "big" day – a highly interesting occasion. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 19, 1867, p. 3, c. 1.

The colored people will celebrate the Sixth [fifth] Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, at Cook’s Grove, Belpre, Tuesday, 22d inst. Address by Rev. D. E. Asbury, of Wheeling; and perhaps there will be other speakers. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 17, 1868, p. 3, c. 1.

The Marietta Register, September 16, 1869

Emancipation Celebration. / The celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, will take place near Flemming Station, on the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1869. All persons desiring to celebrate this glorious event are earnestly requested to come and aid us, while we tell you how we are marching along. Those attending will be entertained by addresses from Prof. P. H. Murray, of Philadelphia; Rev. H. E. Asbury, of Allegheny City; Hon. H. H. Garnett, President of Avery College, Allegheny City. Arrangements have been made for half fare. The train will leave the Depot at Harmar, for Flemming Station, at 7:15, A. M. It will leave Belpre at 7, A. M. All can return on an extra train, which will leave the Station at 5 o’clock, P. M. / An invitation is cordially extended to all. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 16, 1869, p. 3, c. 5.

The colored people hold a ‘Grand Celebration’ of the anniversary of the Proclamation of Emancipation, and of the business of Equal Rights, at Cutler, this county, Thursday, Sept. 22d. The speakers announced are Prof. Wm. Hannibal Thomas, of Allegheny City, Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, Rev. T. J. Ferguson, also Col. Realf, of South Carolina. Half fare on the M. & C. Railroad, leaving Marietta, on the mail train, at 8:35 A. M., and returning on a special train at night. The Marietta Register, September 15, 1870.

Emancipation Celebration at Belpre. / A Big and Enthusiastic Crowd. / The celebration of the colored people in Col. Stone’s grove at Belpre, Monday, 23d inst., was an immense success, far exceeding any celebration held by them in Washington county. They came by cars, in ferry boats, in skiffs, in wagons, in buggies, and on foot, from Ohio and West Virginia, till, estimating after the manner of U.S. Democratic Senator Thurman, it was a ten-acre meeting. The Cincinnati Enquirer would put it at ‘the lowest figures, 5,000 of the sturdy yeomanry of the land present’ – provided it had been a Greeley crowd, which it was not. Cut the meeting into five parts, and each part would equal in numbers the Gen. Tom Ewing Greeley Libocratic meeting in Marietta, last week. It is not probable there was a Greeley colored man in all that vast throng, although several white Greeley men were there, Democrats, who did not at all relish the speakers. / The meeting was called to order by Mr. Sawyer, of Belpre, who was equal to the occasion at presiding. / The colored brass band, from Parkersburg, gave much satisfaction to all who heard their ‘mellifluous strains.’ / Prayer by Rev. Jesse Asbury, of Cedar, O. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was read by Wm. Cross, of Decatur township. / First speaker introduced, Thomas Still, of Chesterfield, Morgan county. Without pretension, he made a first-class talk, made good points and hits, - a speech that many a white man would be proud to deliver as well. / Dinner followed. There were baskets well filled with provisions, and many friends were entertained, pic-nic style. Twenty stands for the sale of refreshments, such as cold boiled hams, chickens, pies, ice cream, lemonade, &c., dotted the woods, and nothing stronger than sweet cider. One person was seen to ask for ‘suthin’ to take’ that might inebriate, but was firmly told, ‘Not ‘lowed on de ground. Here’s water. Dis a free country now sure, ‘cos of de Republicans, and you must take de free drink.’ / The drum corps waked the woods during the hours of mid-day. Also, the platform dance, to the music of three violins and a two-stringed bass viol, was in energetic operation all the spare time. / After dinner, Rev. J. W. McMaster, of Marietta, coming on the ground, was impressed for a ten minutes speech, the only white speaker of the day. / Prof. T. J. Ferguson, of Albany, Athens county, made the great speech of the day, drawing forth shout upon shout of applause. He was an able speaker, very. / Robt. W. Simmons, of Parkersburg, followed in a lively, ta[l]king speech. He is a sharp man, and was a delegate from West Virginia to the Philadelphia Republican National Convention. / None of the colored speakers had a word of comfort for Greeley. / The colored people, with reason, felt great pride in the success of their meeting. It was a very orderly assemblage, behaving with marked propriety of conduct. Men and women acted like gentlemen and ladies, and children were exceedingly respectful, quiet, tidily dressed, and did much honor to their parents. The Marietta Register, September 26, 1872, p. 3, c. 2.

The Marietta Register, September 17, 1874

Emancipation Day. / Tuesday next, September 22d, is Emancipation Day, and we learn it is the intention of the colored people of Washington, Morgan and Athens counties to celebrate the event at Cutler Station, with speeches, music, etc. Gen. Dawes, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes, and others speakers will be present. Rev. Mr. Thomas, of this city, will also deliver an oration. A half-fare train will leave Marietta at 7 in the morning; returning, will leave Cutler at 4 P. M. The train from Parkersburg will leave a little earlier. All well disposed persons are invited to participate. The Marietta Register, September 17, 1874, p. 3, c. 5.

Celebration at Cutler. / The colored friends of this and Athens county, joined in celebrating at Cutler, last Tuesday, the anniversary of President Lincoln’s proclamation of Emancipation. Similar gatherings were held at Parkersburg and at Nelsonville, in Athens county. These drew from the Cutler meeting, still it was largely attended. The day was beautiful, and the woods where the arrangements were made for spending the day, are delightfully situated, and close to the station. Excursion trains were run, and all the regular trains made stops. The German Band from Marietta was on hand to furnish music. Besides, there was vocal music by those taking part in the occasion. In the forenoon there was speaking for an hour, by Mr. Still, whose remarks we did not hear, but they were spoken of favorably. After dinner, the meeting was first addressed by Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Marietta, who spoke with a great deal of earnestness, entertaining the audience as few can. / He was followed by Gen. R. R. Dawes, the principal speaker of the day, who, for an hour held the large audience in unbroken interest. Gen. Dawes did himself credit, which, seeing he is a modest man, is all we feel at liberty to say. Jon. N. H. Van Vorhes was introduced and made a few remarks, being very unwell and not justified in attempting a set speech. / Mr. G. W. Harrison, of Harmar, was chairman of the meeting, and conducted it in a highly satisfactory manner. The day was innocently, pleasantly and profitably spent. No disturbances to mar the happiness of the occasion, which must have been participated in by nearly one thousand people. The conduct, the intelligent appearance of those in attendance, and the entire management of the exercises of the day were creditable to our colored friends, and would not suffer in contrast with any similar attempt of their heretofore more highly favored white brethren. The Marietta Register, Thursday, September 24, 1874, p. 2, c. 4. [George W. Harrison (1829-1897) was the father of Charles Sumner Harrison, John Langston Harrison, and Walter Clifton Harrison, early Black graduates of Marietta College. He had been a conductor on the Underground Railroad and was a local activist for Civil Rights.]

Final Plans For Emancipation Day. / How the Afro-Americans Will do Honor to the Memory of the Martyred Lincoln. / A Big Foreign Delegation Will Be Present From Surrounding Towns – Good Speaking. / Good Music and a General Good Time Anticipated at Maple Glen Park – Excursion Rates and Everybody Going. / Thirty-three years ago to-morrow, President Lincoln with his foresight and love for his fellowmen, issued a formal proclamation announcing that the colored people who were then in bondage, should be considered free after a certain date. / It was in the midst of a great struggle; at a time when freedom was not wholly assured, but at the opening of the following year, however, the proclamation became effective. Freedom, to men who had been bound by the chains of slavery, was a dear word, and when it was put into actual practice, how gladly was in received and hailed with joy by the colored population throughout our land! / Since that time, no holiday, no celebration, has been so dear to the colored people as has the twenty-second day of September. It is then that their present condition is contrasted with that of but a few years ago. Appropriate exercises in the principal cities of the United States are prepared, and the day is made one of gladness and rejoicing. It is right and proper that it should be. / It has been the custom of the colored people of this city and the surrounding country to celebrate this day in a fitting way each year, and this year promises to be no exception to the general rule, but will perhaps be the most complete in the general make-up of any that has preceded. The celebration, next Monday, will be held at Maple Glen Park, which is situated about 18 miles up the Muskingum, and needs no description to be made known to the people in this part of the country. Amusements of various kinds will be offered, and besides the intellectual part of the program, a general good time is anticipated. / The speakers expected for the day are Gov. McKinley [spoke in Marietta Oct. 1 or 2, 1895], Hon. David Sleeper, of Athens, and Mr. Chas. S. Dana, of this city. It is useless to say that these speakers, if all can be present, will interest the people, as their reputation is already established as eloquent, patriotic orators. / Singer’s famous mandolin and guitar club will furnish music during the day. / A large crowd is expected from Parkersburg, since the smallpox scare at Wheeling prevents them from attending there, as they had anticipated. / Excursion rates have been secured on the Z. & O. and T. & O. C. E. railroads. / Good connections will be made by the T. & O. C. E. with the Z. & O., and the crowd will be well accommodated. / Several of the leading colored people of the country will be there, and impromptu speeches will be made, songs sung, and all of the amusements characteristic of the colored people will be in full blast. That the day will be gloriously spent and fittingly celebrated, is a foregone conclusion, as the program arranged, already testifies. The Daily Register, September 21, 1895, p. 4, c. 3.

The largest crowd that has left this city for some time to celebrate Emancipation day, left this morning for Maple Glen Park. A large crowd came from Parkersburg and many came in over the T. & O. C. E. and were joined by the colored people of the city. About five hundred persons made up the crowd. All left happy as could be and the happiness will no doubt continue during the day.” The Daily Register, Monday, September 23, 1895, p. 5, c. 1.

The speeches at Maple Glen Park, yesterday, were made by Messrs. Chas. N. Dana, W. B. McGill and I. R. Rose. They were all very interesting throughout and were heartily received by the people present. The celebration was a great success and the day was appropriately celebrated.” The Daily Register, Tuesday, September 24, 1895, p. 5, c. 2.

Marietta Daily Leader, September 20, 1897

Emancipation Day. / Colored People Anticipate a Big Time Wednesday Afternoon. / The local committee on arrangements for the Emancipation Day celebration at the City Park Wednesday afternoon are confident of a large attendance and an old-time celebration. The T. & O. C. E., Z. & O. R., B. & O. S. W. and C. & M. railways will all make special excursion rates, and as this is the only celebration in Washington county this year, big crowds are expected over each road. / The orator of the day will be Hon. Wm. H. Parham, of Cincinnati, who is a member of the Ohio Legislature and one of the most widely known colored orators of the state. The colored people will be addressed by Hon. Lorenzo Danford also and probably by other speakers not yet secured. / The celebration promises to be the most successful one ever held in the county. Marietta Daily Leader, September 20, 1897.

Emancipation Day. / Colored People Have a Most Successful Celebration on Wednesday. / There was a large and enthusiastic crowd of colored people in the city Wednesday to attend the Emancipation Day celebrations at the City Park. The day was an ideal one for such an occasion and the celebration passed off most successfully and enjoyably for all. / At one o’clock the exercises began with a street parade headed by the Marietta band and the speakers in carriages. Seats enough for about 3,000 people had been erected in front of the orchestra stand in the park, and when Chairman Ambrose Barnett called the audience to order every seat was filled. The orator of the day was Hon. William H. Parham of Cincinnati, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and one of the most widely known colored speakers of the State. He was enthusiastically received when introduced, and after the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Miss Justice, delivered one of the strongest and most eloquent addresses ever heard in this county on a similar occasion. He was listened to with great interest by his large audience, who frequently showed their appreciation of his eloquence by enthusiastic applause. / At the conclusion of his address the crowd was entertained with some excellent music by the Marietta band, after which Senator M. A. Hanna was introduced amidst great applause and made a neat and appropriate speech, calling attention to the rapid strides of the colored race since the shackles were stricken from them by the great Proclamation, and prophesying continued advancement and increased prosperity in the years to come. Marietta Daily Leader, September 23, 1897, p. 3.

Program and List of Events for Emancipation Day. / Following is the program and list of events for the 38^th Emancipation Day anniversary to be held in the City Park, Marietta, O., next Monday, September 23^rd. / 1:00 P. M. – Parade, starting at Bethel A. M. E. Church, South Third street, in the following order: Marietta Police Force; Marietta Band; Pioneer City Lodge No. 43, K. of P.; Fire Department; Afro-American League of Washington and adjacent counties; Speakers of the day in carriages. / The line of march will be on Third to Greene, Greene to Front, Front to Putnam, Putnam to Second, Second to Scammel, Scammel to Front, Front to City Park. / Music and Prayer; Address of welcome by Hon. W. E. Sykes, Mayor of Marietta; Music by Marietta Band; Reading of Emancipation Proclamation, by miss Lizzie Dickinson, Vincent, O.; Music by Marietta Band; Address by Hon. C. C. Middleswart; Music by Band; Address by Henry Savage, Esq.; Music; Address by T. M. Fletcher, on Knighthood; Music; Address by Dr. O. A. Lambert; Music; Address by Bishop A. Grant, of the African M. E. church. / Evening. / 7:00 P. M. – Opening concert by Marietta Band, in front of City Hall; 7:30 – Speaking at Auditorium by one of the following able, eloquent and entertaining orators; President Joshua H. Jones, D. D., of Wilberforce University, the able negro educator of the North; Prof. Booker T. Washington, of Tuskogee Normal Institute, the leading negro educator of the South; Vocal and instrumental music will be rendered. Marietta Daily Leader, September 21, 1901, p. 8.

Emancipation Was Fittingly Observed by a Large Crowd on Monday. / On the 22^nd day of September, 1862, being thirty-nine years ago Monday, President Lincoln proclaimed to the world his famous Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective January 1^st, 1863, and which resulted in freedom to all slaves in the United States. / Each year September 22^nd is set aside by the colored people on which to rejoice over their freedom, and on Monday of this week the celebration of the 38^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation was held in the City Park, this city. / Church Dedication. / On Sunday, as a preliminary to the Emancipation exercises, Bethel A. M. E. Church, on Third street, was dedicated, the sermon being delivered by Rev. C. S. Gee, Presiding Elder of the Columbus district of the A. M. E. Church. This took place Sunday forenoon, and in the afternoon exercises were held at the Auditorium, the sermon being delivered by Dr. Talbert, Secretary of Wilberforce University. Rev. Dr. Townsend, pastor of St. Paul’s A. M. E. Church, Columbus, preached at Bethel Church Sunday evening. / Emancipation Day. / Monday was a typical autumn day and hundreds of visitors from various sections came to the city to attend the exercises. / At one o’clock the parade formed at Bethel A. M. E. Church, South Third street in the following order: Marietta Police Force; Marietta Band; Pioneer City Lodge, No. 43, K. of P; Parkersburg Lodge, K. of P.; Fire Department; Afro-American League of Washington and adjoining counties; Speakers of the day in carriages. / The line of march was on Third to Greene, Greene to Front, Front to Putnam, Putnam to Second, Second to Scammel, Scammel to Front, Front to City Park. / Rev. W. H. Thomas, Pastor of Bethel Church, presided. First came music, then prayer, then an address of welcome by Mayor Sykes, then music, followed by the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, by Miss Lizzie Dickinson, of Vincent. Music by band. / Dr. O. A. Lambert was introduced and talked from a historical standpoint on slavery at length. He was followed by Henry Savage, who urged the colored people to organize. Hon. C. C. Middleswart talked of the great progress made by the colored race and of the importance of education. He was followed by Elder Gee and Dr. Talbert, both of whom made very interesting and instructive addresses. The speaking part of the program was interspersed with good selections from the Marietta Band. Marietta Daily Leader, Tuesday, September 24, 1901, p. 1, c. 2-3.

53 Years of Freedom To Be Celebrated. / A celebration more elaborate than that held three years ago, which marked the semi-centennial of the abolition of slavery in this country and brought a large crowd of people of the colored race from miles around, is being planned this year, the occasion being the fifty-third anniversary of the freedom of the negro from the bondage of slavery. The fittingness of a celebration of this kind finds ample justification in the marked progress of the race during its fifty-three years of freedom and everything points to the largest celebration of the kind ever held in Ohio. / The celebration this year will be of the nature of a Home Coming Week, during which former residents of this county and state are to be invited back to join in the celebration which comes to a close on Emancipation Day, September 22.  / Thursday evening a concert at the Auditorium theatre here by Miss Rachael Walker, prima donna soprano, who has won fame in the musical world and distinguished herself among the people of her race. The appearance of Miss Walker here promises to furnish a fitting climax to the week of festivities. Miss Walker is a former Cleveland, Ohio, girl. She is a finished singer, has been complimented by royalty and also by Mme. Patti. She is a pupil of the famous teacher, the late Mme. Marchesi. / The concert will be held Thursday evening, September 21, and local talent will contribute to the entertainment. The presence of Wright's Orchestra of Columbus will also be a pleasing feature.  / The celebration will begin with special services at the Wesleyan M. E. church here on Sunday, September 17. Monday evening a reception will be given at the church according to the tentative arrangements. Tuesday, a picnic and dance will be held at Fern Cliff Park, and on Wednesday, a lawn fete will be held at Sacra Via Park. Thursday evening Miss Walker will appear in a musical at the Auditorium, and Friday a general celebration of Emancipation Day will be held. / A big parade will be held in the morning. William Peyton of Rockland, an ex-slave said to be past 107 years old, will lead the parade, which will proceed to the fair grounds where the festivities will be held, including speeches and athletic events. / Governor Willis has been invited to address the holiday crowd and a colored speaker of national reputation will be included in the program of addresses. Gloucester, Athens, Middleport and Pomeroy will join with Marietta in the celebration of Emancipation Day, and large delegations are expected here on that day from Zanesville, Cambridge, Noble County, and the many other points in this section of Ohio and West Virginia. / A committee has been appointed by the Chamber of Commerce here to cooperate with the committee which has the arrangements for the celebration in charge and this furnishes even greater assurance of the success of the affair. The Register-Leader, August 19, 1916.