Romulus Moore facts for kids

Reverend Romulus Moore was an important leader and politician in Georgia after the American Civil War. He was born in 1818 and became a strong voice for civil rights during a time called the Reconstruction Era. This was when the United States was rebuilding after the war.

As an African American, Moore was chosen to be a part of the Georgia state legislature in 1868. However, he and other African American lawmakers, known as the Original 33, were unfairly removed from the legislature that same year. They were later allowed to return in 1870 because of a special law passed by the U.S. Congress. Reverend Moore also worked hard to support the 15th Amendment, which gave African American men the right to vote.

Romulus Moore's Early Life and Calling

Childhood and Becoming a Minister

Romulus Moore was born in January 1818 in Taliaferro County, Georgia. At that time, he was born into slavery. He grew up in the home of a white family named Moore and was educated alongside their children. Because of the education he received, Romulus Moore was able to buy his own freedom.

Before 1860, Romulus Moore was a young man who didn't always follow the rules. But that changed when he met and married Mary Elenor Horton, a Christian woman. After they got married, he decided to change his life. In 1862, he became a Christian and joined the First Baptist Church of Thomson, Georgia. This church was mostly attended by white people. Once he became a Christian, Moore started preaching.

Mrs. Thomas Hamilton, who employed his wife, heard him preach. She was so impressed by his talent that she asked her pastor to allow Romulus Moore to become a minister. In 1867, he officially became a minister. He was ordained by Reverend Henry Johnson of Augusta, Georgia, and then became the pastor of the Poplar Head Baptist Church in Dearing, Georgia.

Public Service and the Reconstruction Era

Becoming a Lawmaker in Georgia

In 1868, Reverend Moore was elected as one of the first African American lawmakers in the Georgia State Assembly in Atlanta. At this time, Thomson, where he lived, was part of Columbia County. McDuffie County was not created until 1870, from parts of Columbia and Warren Counties. Reverend Moore moved to Atlanta to serve as a representative for Columbia County. While in Atlanta, he was connected with the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, which is now called the Wheat Street Baptist Church. Its pastor was Reverend Andrew Jackson.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Reverend Moore's work as one of the first African American men elected during the Reconstruction Era is very important. He was also a member of the Georgia Constitutional Committee. This makes him one of the founding fathers of the early Civil rights movement (1865–1896). His name is mentioned with other Georgia lawmakers in the United States Congressional Record from February 3, 1874. This record shows that he asked the U.S. Congress to approve the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

His Constitutional Committee also asked the United States Supreme Court to support the 15th Amendment. Reverend Moore is listed with Alonzo Ransier as someone who worked to uphold the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

In a record from the 100-Year Celebration of the First African Baptist Church, Reverend E.G. Dwelle of Augusta named Romulus Moore as a pioneer of the civil rights movement. Reverend Moore is also listed among the leaders of the African Baptist Church who helped start important schools. These include the Augusta Institute, which later became Morehouse College; the Spelman Institute, which became Spelman College; and Atlanta University.

Honoring Romulus Moore's Legacy

The "Expelled Because of Their Color" Monument

In 1976, Romulus Moore was honored by the Black Caucus of the Georgia General Assembly. They created a statue called "Expelled Because of Their Color". This statue shows the rise of African American politicians. It is displayed at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta.

The "Expelled Because of Their Color" monument is located near the Capitol Avenue entrance of the Georgia State Capitol. It was dedicated to the 33 original African-American Georgia legislators who were elected during the Reconstruction period.In the first election (1868) after the Civil War, blacks were allowed to vote. But even though former slaves could now vote, there was no law that allowed black representatives to hold office. So, the 33 black men who were elected to the General Assembly were expelled.

The construction of this monument was funded by the Black Caucus of the Georgia General Assembly , a group of African-American State representatives and senators who are committed to the principles and ideals of the Civil Rights Movement organized in 1975. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus commissioned the sculpture in March 1976 (Boutwell). John Riddle, the Sculptor of this monument, was also a painter and printmaker known for artwork that acknowledged the struggles of African-Americans through history."

—Carlisa Simon

The names of the 33 pioneering lawmakers of the Georgia General Assembly are carved into the base of John Riddle's sculpture. These individuals were elected and then expelled in 1868. They were later allowed to return to the Georgia General Assembly in 1870 because of a law passed by the U.S. Congress.

Here are the 30 African Americans who served in the Georgia House of Representatives and the counties they represented:

These three African Americans served in the Georgia State Senate: