James H. Alston facts for kids
James H. Alston was an important political leader in Alabama during a time of big changes. He served in the state's law-making group, called the legislature, in 1868 and then again from 1869 to 1879. He worked hard to help people, especially those who had recently gained their freedom.
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Early Life and Freedom
James H. Alston was born into slavery in Alabama. Even though he was enslaved, he learned how to read and write. He also trained to become a shoemaker, someone who makes and repairs shoes.
During the American Civil War, a group of soldiers from the Tuskegee Light Infantry Company bought him for $1,800 (which would be about $59,000 today). They wanted him to be their drummer, playing music to help the soldiers march. James Alston stayed with this group until the war ended. When the war was over, he became a free man.
Working for Change
After the war, in 1867, James Alston started a group called the Union League in Tuskegee. He helped 400 other freedmen (people who had been enslaved and were now free) and their supporters join this group. The Union League worked to protect the rights of newly freed people.
During this time, some groups, like the Ku Klux Klan, tried to stop freedmen from owning land and having their rights. Because of these threats, many freedmen felt unsafe and had to leave the area.
A Voice in Government
In 1868, James Alston was chosen to represent Macon County in the Alabama House of Representatives. This was a big step for him and for the freedmen he represented. Some local political leaders in Tuskegee were worried about his election. They even offered him $3,000 (about $75,000 today) if he would agree not to run for office again. But James Alston refused their offer. He wanted to keep working for his community.
On June 4, 1870, James Alston and his wife were at home when their house was attacked. They both survived, but James Alston was hurt. His pregnant wife was also injured. After this event, James Alston left Tuskegee.
In 1871, James Alston continued his work for equality. He was a delegate at a meeting for the Colored National Labor Union in Alabama. This group worked to improve conditions for African American workers.
Honoring His Legacy
In 2011, James H. Alston was honored with a special historical marker in Montgomery, Alabama. This marker remembers him and other African American lawmakers who served during the Reconstruction era. This was a time after the Civil War when the United States was rebuilt, and many African Americans gained new rights and roles in government.
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