Charles Lenox Remond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Lenox Remond
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| Born | February 1, 1810 Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | December 22, 1873 (aged 63) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Occupation | Activist, lecturer |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Matilda William Cassey Elizabeth Magee |
| Children | Amy Matilda Remond Charles Lenox Remond, Jr. Wendell Phillips Remond Albert Ernest Remond |
| Parent(s) | John Remond (father) Nancy Lenox (mother) |
| Relatives | Sarah Parker Remond (sister) Caroline Remond Putnam (sister) Cecilia Remond Putnam (sister) Marchita Remond (sister) |
Charles Lenox Remond (born February 1, 1810 – died December 22, 1873) was an important American speaker and activist. He worked to end slavery in the United States. He gave many speeches against slavery, especially in the northeastern parts of the U.S.
In 1840, he even traveled to England with another famous abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. During the American Civil War, he helped recruit African American soldiers for the United States Colored Troops. He helped form the first two units from Massachusetts. Charles came from a large family of successful African American business owners. His sister, Sarah Parker Remond, was also a well-known speaker against slavery.
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Charles Remond's Early Life
Remond was born in Salem, Massachusetts. His father, John Remond, was a free man of color from the island of Curaçao. He worked as a hairdresser. Charles's mother, Nancy Lenox, was from a well-known family in Boston. She was also a hairdresser and caterer.
Massachusetts had already ended slavery after the American Revolution. Charles was the oldest of eight children. He started working against slavery when he was young. His sisters included Nancy, Cecilia, Maritchie Juan, Caroline, and Sarah Parker. He also had a younger brother named John.
When he was in his twenties, Remond began speaking out. He gave speeches about ending slavery at public meetings. He spoke in states like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Fighting for Change: Charles Remond's Activism
In 1838, the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society chose him as one of their main speakers. In 1840, he went to the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. He was a delegate from the American Anti-Slavery Society. He traveled with William Lloyd Garrison, a very important leader against slavery.
Young Remond became known as a powerful speaker. Many people said he was the first Black public speaker to talk about ending slavery. He was described as speaking with great strength and cleverness.
At the first national Colored Convention in Philadelphia in 1830, Remond suggested an important idea. He called for Black people to leave any church that treated them differently. This included churches that separated them for seating or communion. His idea was accepted.
In 1840, at the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, women delegates were not allowed to sit. Remond and Garrison protested this. They walked out of the convention with the women to show their support.
In 1857, Remond and his sister Sarah Parker Remond held a meeting in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Sarah was also a speaker against slavery. At this meeting, Charles Remond said something important. He stated that prejudice against race and color would end when people learned that "mind makes the man." This meant that good character, strong morals, and an honest spirit were the true measures of a person.
During the Civil War, Remond helped recruit Black soldiers in Massachusetts. These soldiers joined the United States Colored Troops of the Union Army. He helped create the famous early units, like the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
Charles Remond's Work and Family Life
Remond's family owned successful businesses. They had a hairdressing business and a catering service. Many family members worked there. His three sisters, Cecilia, Maritchie, and Caroline, owned a women's hair salon. They also had the largest wig factory in their state.
After the Civil War, Charles Remond moved to Boston. He worked as a clerk at the United States Customs House. He also worked as an inspector for street lamps. Later, he bought a farm in South Reading, which is now Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Marriage and Children
In September 1850, Remond married Amy Matilda (Williams) Cassey. She was the daughter of Rev. Peter Williams, Jr.. Amy was also the widow of a rich barber from Philadelphia, Joseph Cassey. She had eight children with him. After marrying Remond, she moved to Salem. She lived there until she passed away in 1856.
Two years later, Remond married again. He married Elizabeth Magee from Virginia on July 5, 1858, in Newton, Massachusetts. The abolitionist preacher, Rev. Theodore Parker, led the wedding. Elizabeth and Remond had four children before she died in 1871. Their children were Amy Matilda (1859–72), Charles Lenox, Jr. (1860–82), Wendell Phillips (1863–66), and Albert Ernest Remond (1866–1903).
Charles Lenox Remond died in Boston in December 1873. He is buried in Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem. Frederick Douglass, another famous abolitionist, named one of his sons after him: Charles Remond Douglass.
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Charles Lenox Remond
