People, Locations, Episodes

Henry Morton Stanley, born

*Sir Henry Morton Stanley was born on this date 1841.  He was a white-European (Welsh) journalist, explorer, soldier, colonial administrator, author and politician.  Born as John Rowlands in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales. His mother Elizabeth Parry was 18 years old at the time of his birth. She abandoned him as a very young baby and cut off all communication. Stanley never knew […]

Globe Support for Electric Lamp patented

*On this date in 1882, a Black man co-patented a globe supporter for electric lamps.   Lewis Latimer and J. Tregoning received credit for their work.  The patent number is #255,212.

Carbon Manufacturer Unit patented

*On this date in 1882, a Black man received a patent for a process to manufacture carbons.   Lewis Latimer received credit for this work.  The Patent number is #252,386.

Hazel Augustus, Architect born

*Hazel Augustus was born on this date in 1854.  He was a Black Architect.  Little is known of Augustus’ life.  From Orlando, Florida, after marriage and starting a family, he moved to Palm Beach County early in the century, according to an account given to The Post by his goddaughter, Hazel Augustus Driskell, in 1990.  […]

Black Hair Care and Culture, a story

This date is Hairstylist Appreciation Day and The Registry looks briefly at African American hair.

The history of “Black Hair and Beauty Culture” mirrors the intricacy of both African and American cultures. Over the years, African American hair has been associated with the ideology of white visual conception. Some people say that blacks have embraced hairstyles and beauty methods that reflect popular European standards of beauty. However, Blacks have used their West African roots and their own artistry to create styles and standards that reflect a unique black culture.

Edward Colston born

*Edward Colston was born on this date in 1636.  He was a white-English philanthropist, merchant, slave trader, and Member of Parliament. From Bristol, England, Edward Colston was the youngest of at least 15 children. His parents were William Colston a prosperous merchant who was High Sheriff of Bristol in 1643, and his wife Sarah, daughter of Edward Batten. He was brought […]

Wentworth Cheswell, one of New Hampshire’s finest

Wentworth Cheswell was born on this date in 1746. He was a Black businessman and politician.

From Newmarket, NH Cheswell was the only child of Hopestill and Catherine Keniston Cheswell. There is virtually no information about Catherine Keniston in Newmarket town records. However, the various local historians and genealogists generally accept that she came from a local Newmarket/Durham family, and that she was white. Like his father before him, Wentworth Cheswell was born to a white mother.

Prince Hall born

*Prince Hall was born (circa) on this date in 1748. He was a Black preacher, administrator, mason and businessman.   From Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies Prince Hall was born free. His father, Thomas Prince Hall, was a white Englishman and his mother a free Black French woman. In 1765, at the age of 17, he worked […]

Marie Bernard Couvent, born

*The birth of Marie Bernard Couvent is celebrated on this date in 1757.      She was a Black philanthropist and education advocate.  Born a slave in Benin, Africa, Marie Cirnaire came to New Orleans, Louisiana and married Bernard Couvent, a carpenter and former slave.  Together they accumulated property, other assets before he died.  In August […]

Philanthropist Paul Cuffe born

*Paul Cuffe was born on this date in 1759. He was an Black philanthropist, merchant, sea captain and abolitionist.

Pierre Toussaint, Businessman and Philanthropist born

*Pierre Toussaint was born on this date in 1766. He was Haitian immigrant to America, businessman and philanthropist.

Anthony D. Allen born

*Anthony D. Allen was born on this date in 1772.   He was a Black mariner and businessman.  From Schenectady, New York, he was owned by the Dougal family, his mother was their slave and his father a freeman and a mariner.   As a young man he picked up medical skills in Schenectady where ill or […]

Sally Hemings, Domestic born

*The birth of Sally Hemings in 1773 is celebrated on this date. She was a Black domestic chambermaid. She was also the mistress to and mother of (some) of the children of president Thomas Jefferson.

Frank McWorter born

*The birth of Free Frank McWorter is celebrated on this date in 1777.  He was a Black slave, abolitionist and businessman who bought his own freedom.   Frank McWorter was born into slavery in South Carolina to Juda, a Black West African woman abducted into slavery and transported to the colony. His father was her white master, George McWhorter, a Scots-Irish planter. According to family tradition, […]

Shubael Conant born

*Shubael Conant was born on this date in 1783.  He was a white-American merchant, silversmith, businessman and abolitionist.  Born in Mansfield, Connecticut, Shubael Conant, he was the son of Eleazar Conant and Eunice Storrs.  He was apprenticed to the business of watchmaking, at North Hampton, and became thoroughly familiar with that trade. When twenty-six years […]