Time line of the Nineteenth Century
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1800
-
According to the United States census, there are 1,002,037 African-Americans
living in the United States. (Approximately 18.9% of the population.)
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1805
-
Maryland state law forbids free African-Americans without a special license
to sell corn, wheat or tobacco.
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1806
-
Benjamin Banneker dies in Maryland.
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1807
-
Congress bans the importation of slaves.
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1808
-
The population of slaves reaches one million.
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1809
-
James W.C. Pennington is born into slavery in Maryland; later he will become
the only African-American member of the Hartford Central Association of
Congressional Ministers.
-
1810
-
According to federal law, it is illegal to hire an African-American as a
mail carrier.
-
1810
-
The United States census reports that African-Americans make up 19% of the
total population (1,377,808 African-Americans). Of the African-American
population, 13.5% is free.
-
1812-1814
-
The War of 1812.
-
1812
-
During the War of 1812, African-Americans make up one-sixth of the seamen
in the navy.
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1815
-
In Maryland, clergyman, and abolitionist Henry Highland
Garnet is born.
-
1817
-
Frederick Douglass is born into slavery in Tuckahoe, Md.
-
1817
-
In Maryland, author, clergyman, and abolitionist Samuel
Ringgold Ward is born.
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1820
-
The first United States slaves arrive in Liberia.
-
1825
-
September 24, novelist and poet
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is born in Baltimore
to free parents.
-
1825
-
Without a certificate from a justice of the peace witnessed by at least two
white citizens, free blacks cannot sell tobacco without a license.
-
1825
-
Josiah Henson leads a group of runaway slaves
to freedom in Kentucky.
-
1829
-
The first boarding school for black girls, The St.
Frances Academy, opened in Baltimore.
-
1832
-
For just $500 you can buy a healthy male field
hand.
-
1834
-
Henry Blair receives a
patent for his invention of the corn planter.
-
1836
-
The "gag rule" is passed by Congress which prohibits any antislavery bill
or petition from being introduced, read or discussed.
-
1836
-
After receiving a patent for his invention of the corn planter in 1834, Henry
Blair patents another piece of farm equipment, a cotton planting machine.
-
1836
-
Amanda Berry Smith is born into slavery. Her desire to preach was so strong
that when the AME church refused to ordain her because she was a woman, Smith
pursued an independent preaching career, traveling across the country and
on three other continents getting her message across.
-
1843
-
A native Marylander, James W. C. Pennington represents Connecticut at the
World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, England.
-
1847
-
Frederick Douglass publishes the first issue of his newspaper, The North
Star.
-
1849
-
Harriet Tubman escapes to freedom in Pennsylvania.
-
1849
-
An escaped slave, James W. C. Pennington, writes his story in a book entitled
"The Fugitive Blacksmith."
-
1852
-
Frederick Douglass delivers of his most famous speeche " The Meaning of the
Fourth of July to the Negro"
-
1857
-
The Dred Scott Decision of the United States Supreme Court denies slaves
citizenship and denies Congress the power to restrict slavery in federal
territory.
-
1862
-
The enlistment of slaves and free blacks in the Union Army is allowed by
the Militia Act.
-
1862
-
The Confiscation Act, declaring that if a slave owner helped the Confederacy,
his slaves would go free, is passed by Congress.
-
1863
-
The
Emancipation
Proclamation is issued by President Abraham Lincoln.
-
1864
-
Slavery is abolished in Maryland.
-
1864
-
For his bravery at Fort Gilmore, Richmond, Virginia, Sergeant Major Christian
A. Fleetwood is awarded the Congressional medal of honor.
-
1865
-
The fraternity Grand Order of Galilean Fishermen is founded in Baltimore,
Maryland.
-
1865
-
Congress passes the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States.
-
1866
-
The first of it's kind owned and operated by blacks, The Chesapeake Marine
and Dry-dock Company was opened in Baltimore. Its owner is Black Labor Union
creator, Isaac Myers.
-
1868
-
Validating citizenship rights for all persons born or naturalized in the
United States, The 14th amendment is ratified.
-
1874
-
Frederick Douglass becomes president Freedman's Savings and Trust Company.
-
1877
-
Frederick Douglass becomes United States Marshall.
-
1880
-
Frederick Douglass is appointed Recorder of Deeds for Washington, DC.
-
1882
-
At the time of his death, Henry Highland Garnet is serving as official Minister
to Liberia.
-
1889
-
Frederick Douglass becomes American Consul-General to Haiti.
-
1889
-
William H. Richardson develops and receives a patent for a baby carriage
that could change direction without turning the carriage around.
