Charles Bennett Ray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Bennett Ray
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| Born | December 25, 1807 |
| Died | August 15, 1886 (aged 78) New York City, US
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| Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
| Occupation | Abolitionist, newspaper editor and owner |
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| Children | 7, including Charlotte and Cordelia |
Charles Bennett Ray (born December 25, 1807 – died August 15, 1886) was an important African-American leader. He was a minister, a strong supporter of ending slavery (an abolitionist), and the owner and editor of a newspaper called The Colored American. Charles Ray was born in Massachusetts but spent most of his life and career in New York City. He worked hard to fight for equal rights and education for African Americans.
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Early Life and Education
Charles Ray was born a free person in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on December 25, 1807. His father, Joseph Aspinwall Ray, delivered mail, and his mother was Annis Harrington.
Charles went to Wesleyan Seminary in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where he studied to become a minister. In 1832, he became the first Black student to enroll at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. However, his time there was very short. White students protested his admission, and his enrollment was canceled less than two months later. This shows the challenges Black students faced at that time.
Moving to New York and Becoming a Minister
In 1832, Charles Ray moved to New York City. He started his own business, a boot and shoe store. Later, he became a minister, first in the Methodist church and then in the Congregational church.
He served as the pastor for two churches in New York City that were mostly white: Crosby Congregational Church and Bethesda Congregational Church. Charles Ray believed strongly in the temperance movement, which encouraged people to drink less alcohol. He was also a member of several important groups, including the American Missionary Association and the African Society for Mutual Relief. He also helped start the Society for the Promotion of Education Among Colored Children. This group worked to improve education for Black children.
Fighting Against Slavery: Abolitionism
In the early 1830s, Charles Ray became deeply involved in the movement to end slavery, known as abolitionism. He became a well-known supporter of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
Ray also helped start and lead the New York Vigilance Committee. This committee helped runaway enslaved people who arrived in New York. He was also a member of the American Anti-Slavery Society, another group dedicated to ending slavery. His work helped many people find freedom and safety.
Leading a Newspaper: The Colored American
In 1838, Charles Ray and Phillip Alexander Bell became co-owners of a newspaper called The Colored American. This was one of the first weekly newspapers published by African Americans. By 1839, Charles Ray became the only owner and editor of the newspaper.
The Colored American newspaper worked to improve the lives of free Black people. It also promoted the peaceful end of slavery. Charles Ray traveled all over the northern United States, giving speeches. He spoke out against unfair treatment and prejudice toward African Americans. In 1840, he supported the Liberty Party. This was a political party that openly supported ending slavery.
Charles Ray's Family Life
Charles Ray was married twice. His first marriage was in 1834 to Henrietta Green Regulus. Sadly, she passed away two years later during childbirth.
In 1840, he married Charlotte Augusta Burroughs. They had seven children together. Their children achieved great things. Their daughter Charlotte E. Ray became the first African-American woman to become a lawyer. Another daughter, Florence Ray, also became an attorney. Their daughter Cordelia Ray became a poet, famous for her poem "Lincoln."
Charles B. Ray passed away in New York City on August 15, 1886. He is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.
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Charles B. Ray, a leader in the fight against slavery.
