Category Archives: Uncategorized

Despite being born in to slavery, Emanuel K. Love went on on become a college graduate, a fearless fighter for Black rights, and the reverend of one of the oldest churches in the United States. According to the Georgia Encyclopedia: E. K. Love (1850-1900) was a prominent Baptist leader and writer in nineteenth-century Georgia. Dedicated to fightingContinue reading “E.K. Love”

It’s hard enough to take severe risks to pull yourself ahead, but to take on those risks for the sake of others takes a certain kind of courageous person. Jane Deveaux was one of those brave Savannah residents. She risked her freedom to help slaves read and write. The application for Laurel Grove South toContinue reading “Jane Deveaux”

Bridie Freeman (1886-1958) founded the Freeman School of Beauty Culture in 1919, but her school was really so much more to the Black residents of Savannah. Below is an interview that Georgia Public Broadcasting conducted with one of Bridie’s descendants: Madame Freeman was born Bridie Andres in 1886 in Beaufort, SC. She later she movedContinue reading “Bridie Freeman”

It might be easier to say what Sol C. Johnson (1867-1954) didn’t do than what he did, as his accomplishments and contributions were so vast. He helped found the Carnegie Library on Henry Street, which according to Connect Savannah: HERE’S A FACTOID that might surprise even the most studious Savannah bookworm: When the Carnegie LibraryContinue reading “Sol C. Johnson”

You could say W.W. Law (1923-2002) did many things, but if we had to sum it up into one line we would say that he set a standard for dignified treatment. He set the standard of how Laurel Grove South Cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair, should be treated by making the moves to restoreContinue reading “W.W. Law”

It would be hard to talk about Savannah history without mentioning the First African Baptist Church. It started before America was a nation, and the people who formed it fought for the freedom of religious expression under great duress and possible punishment/death. The First African Baptist Church website details the church’s long history: First AfricanContinue reading “First African Baptist Church”

Anthony (1831-1892) and his son Edward (1868-1915) DesVerney made up one of the richer and more prominent families of Savannah, but their family history is not without great scandal. Anthony Kirk DesVerney was born in Charleston on Oct 11th, 1831 to Peter Prioleau DesVerney, the once-slave who was known for his role as a traitorContinue reading “Anthony K. DesVerney”

If you’ve ever happened upon a headstone that looked to be made by hand, there is an interesting article on the subject by The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training that you can read here. An excerpt: We discovered that these markers were constructed from a variety of materials, including concrete, wood and metal.Continue reading “Handmade Headstones”

Rosa Lou (Lulu) Barnes (1868-abt 1918) was featured in The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, Volume 1, and it’s not hard to understand why. She embodied the American dream in all she did. Born in Alabama, Rosa graduated from the Huntsville Normal Industrial Institute before moving to Savannah. She started out owning a groceryContinue reading “Rosa Lou Barnes”

James Merilus Simms’s place in Savannah history was huge. He was a member of the House of Representatives. According to Documenting the American South: James M. Simms was born into slavery in Savannah, Georgia in 1823. Simms was a carpenter by trade, and using money he earned from additional work, he was able to buyContinue reading “James M. Simms”