Named Individuals

19th Century

The following represents a compilation of known African Americans with connections to Davidson College in the 19th century. This by no means a complete list; if included at all, black laborers are very rarely mentioned by name in relevant historical documentation, and enslaved individuals even less so. That said, you will probably notice a disparity in what we know about each person. For some individuals, we are lucky enough to have photos, while for others, we only have occupations. 

As for those who aren’t included here, however many of them there may have been: we may not know their names, but they were here.

Lewis, a black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Lewis Allison

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Otho, a young black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie.

Otho Allison

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Joe, an older black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Joe (Brown?)

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Aaron, a black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Aaron Burton

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1880s and 1890s

Enoch Donaldson, an older black man dressed formally in a vest standing in front of columns.

Enoch Donaldson

Labored on campus for roughly 80 years

Alex, an older black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Alex Helper

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Holtzclaw, a black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Stanford Holtzclaw

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Syd, a young black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Sidney Houston

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

"Jim", a young black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie.

Jim (Jimmerson?)

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Rich, a black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie.

Rich Robinson

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Baxter Williamson, an older black man in a dress shirt sitting in a doorway

Baxter Williamson

Labored on campus for 59 years

Jack, a black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Jack

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

Tom, a young black man dressed formally in a jacket and tie

Tom

Listed among college custodial staff/"servants" in the 1890s

< Previous page Next page >