Alethia Tanner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alethia Tanner
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| Born | c. 1785  |
| Died | 1864 (aged Error: Need valid year, month, day) |
Alethia Tanner was an amazing American educator and leader. She lived in Washington, D.C., in the early 1800s. Alethia is famous for helping 18 people gain their freedom from slavery. She also helped start the very first school for free Black children in Washington, D.C.
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Alethia Tanner's Early Life
Alethia Tanner was born in 1781. She was born into slavery on a plantation in Prince George's County, Maryland. The plantation was called Chelsea Plantation. Alethia had two sisters, Sophia and Laurena.
After the plantation owner died, Alethia and Sophia were allowed to grow and sell vegetables. They sold their produce at markets in Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Alethia sold vegetables at a market right across from the White House.
Gaining Freedom
Alethia worked hard and saved her money. She was able to buy her own freedom in 1810. A man named Joseph Doughtery helped her. He was a footman for President Thomas Jefferson. It is believed Alethia gave him the money to buy her. Then, he officially freed her a few days later.
Helping Others
After gaining her freedom, Alethia continued to save money. By 1826, she had saved enough to buy the freedom of many others. She helped her sister Laurena and Laurena's husband and children. She also helped many other family members and friends.
- One of Laurena's children was John Francis Cook, Sr.. He became a very important educator and church leader.
- He helped start Union Seminary, a school for Black children.
- He also founded the Young Man's Moral and Literary Society. This group debated ideas about ending slavery.
- He co-founded two churches: Union Bethel AME Church and Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church.
During a difficult time in 1835, known as the Snow Riot, a white mob attacked and burned down the schoolhouse. John Francis Cook, Sr., had to leave the city for a short time to stay safe.
A Community Leader
Alethia Tanner lived a truly remarkable life. She was a successful businesswoman. She owned property and supported important educational and religious groups. These groups helped the free Black community in Washington, D.C.
Alethia was a member of the Methodist church. She liked their views on slavery. Later, she and other formerly enslaved African Americans left the church. They felt unwelcome because they were forced to sit in a separate area.
Alethia, her sister, and her sister's husband then joined Israel Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. They even bought the church when it was being sold. When Alethia passed away, she was a member of Union Bethel Church. Her nephew, John Francis Cook, Sr., had helped establish this church.
The Bell School
In 1807, Alethia Tanner helped start the very first school for free Black children in Washington, D.C. It was called The Bell School. She started it with George, Nicholas Franklin, and Moses Liverpool.
The Bell School faced challenges. It struggled because it didn't have enough money or students. This led to the creation of The Resolute Beneficial Society School. But this school also faced problems. These were largely due to segregation, which limited opportunities for Black students.
After these larger schools closed, smaller private schools opened. Alethia's safety was at risk during the Snow Riot in August 1835. This event started as a labor strike but turned into attacks on free Black people. Her nephew, John Francis Cook, fled the area. However, there is no record of Alethia leaving.
Legacy
Today, a 2.5-acre park in Washington, D.C., is named after Alethia Tanner. It is called Tanner Park. The community voted to name the park in her honor.
See Also
External sources
- Sharp, John G, Washington D.C Genealogy Trails Biographies. 2006-2013
