Abraham Galloway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abraham H. Galloway
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| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 13th district |
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| In office November 16, 1868 – April 12, 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Mathias E. Manly |
| Succeeded by | G. W. Price |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 8, 1837 Smithville, Brunswick County, North Carolina, US |
| Died | September 1, 1870 (aged 33) Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, US |
| Spouse | Martha Ann Dixon |
| Profession | Abolitionist, Union Army spy, politician, brick mason |
Abraham H. Galloway (born February 8, 1837 – died September 1, 1870) was an important American leader. He was born into slavery but became a politician. He served as a Republican state Senator in North Carolina.
Galloway was born in Smithville (now Southport, North Carolina) in 1837. He was a former slave who helped the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he served in the North Carolina senate during a time called the Reconstruction period. When he died in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1870, over 6,000 people came to his funeral. This shows how much he was respected.
People remember him today with a historical marker in Wilmington. This marker was put up in 2012 by a group called the "Friends of Abraham Galloway." Even though he couldn't read or write, Abraham Galloway was a strong leader. He helped shape politics in his state.
Historians have learned more about Galloway's life over time. Two books, The Watermans Song (2001) and The Fire of Freedom (2015), tell his story. An article in Our State magazine also shares his important place in North Carolina's history. Some people called Galloway the "Scarlet Pimpernel" because he was so good at escaping and helping others.
Contents
Early Life and Escape from Slavery
Abraham Galloway was born in Smithville (now Southport), North Carolina. His mother, Hester Hankins, was an enslaved Black woman. His father was John Wesley Galloway, a white ship's pilot. Abraham was owned by Marsden Milton Hankins.
His birth father tried to protect him. Hankins allowed young Galloway to work as a brick mason in Wilmington. But Galloway had to give Hankins $15 each month. When it became too hard to earn this money, Galloway decided to escape.
In 1857, when he was 20, Galloway escaped with another enslaved person, Richard Eden. A kind ship captain hid them below deck. They hid among barrels of turpentine and tar. Ships going north were sometimes fumigated with burning turpentine to find runaway slaves. Galloway and Eden planned to use wet towels to block the smoke. Luckily, the fires were not lit.
Galloway and Eden arrived safely in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To avoid people who hunted runaway slaves, they went further north to Ontario, Canada. Later, in 1864, Galloway met his friend William B. Gould again in New York City.
A Leader for Equal Rights
Abraham Galloway became a strong leader for African Americans. In May 1864, he was part of a group of five Black leaders. They met with President Abraham Lincoln. They asked Lincoln to support voting rights for African Americans.
That same year, Galloway attended a very important meeting. It was called the National Convention of Colored Citizens of the United States. About 144 Black leaders came together during the Civil War. By 1865, Galloway had started a state chapter of the National Equal Rights League. He also helped create five local chapters.
On September 29, 1865, Galloway helped lead a convention for freed people. He also organized a meeting of 117 Black delegates from 42 counties. This meeting happened at the same time as another important gathering.
Fighting for Rights in Wilmington
Galloway returned to Wilmington, North Carolina, in late 1866. Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina at that time. He refused to follow old racial rules. He would not step aside for white men on the street. He also wouldn't let white customers go ahead of him in stores. He openly carried a pistol for protection.
Even though he couldn't read or write, Galloway was a great speaker. In his speeches to Black audiences, he used humor to make fun of unfair white rules.
In 1866, North Carolina passed "Black Codes." These laws limited the rights of African Americans. But in 1867, Black citizens saw a big win. The Reconstruction Acts were passed by Congress. These laws forced the Southern states to allow all men to vote.
In September 1867, Galloway gave a speech in Wilmington. He promised Black men that they would soon vote on a new state constitution. This constitution would give them more rights. Newspapers in North Carolina were very upset about Galloway's important role.
During the constitutional convention, a white reporter used an insulting term for Black delegates. Galloway demanded that the insult be addressed. The convention discussed if the term was truly an insult. When the reporter admitted it was, he was kicked out of the convention.
Another debate was about whether Black citizens were too easily influenced to vote responsibly. Galloway responded strongly. He said that even though his white father's blood was "the best blood in Brunswick County," he would "lance myself and let it out" if he could remove it. This showed his pride in his Black heritage. In March, Wilmington newspapers reported with dismay that Galloway had eaten a public meal with the white president of the convention.
The new constitution did get rid of the Black Codes. It also allowed Black people to run for office. But it had to be approved by voters. In the same election, Galloway ran for the state senate.
The Ku Klux Klan tried to stop Black men from voting. In response, Galloway led an informal Black militia. This group patrolled the streets of Wilmington, armed. They confronted white men they thought were Klan members. On election night, Galloway led hundreds of Black men through the streets. The Klan did not appear, and both white and Black men could vote freely. The new constitution was approved, and Galloway was elected to the state senate.
Senator and Legacy
Galloway was one of three Black senators in the North Carolina General Assembly of 1868–1869. There were also 18 Black representatives. On July 6, 1868, he suggested a change to a plan to desegregate the senate galleries. He proposed a middle section where both races could sit together.
During his time as a senator, Galloway voted for the 14th and 15th Amendments. These amendments gave important rights to African Americans. He also strongly supported women's rights.
Galloway died suddenly on September 1, 1870, in Wilmington. He was only 33 years old. He had just been reelected to the senate. About 6,000 people attended his funeral. Frederick Douglass's newspaper, New National Era, said Galloway died very poor. This was because he gave so much to help others.
