Zebulon Elijah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zebulon Elijah
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Portrait of Florida State Representative Zebulon Elijah - Escambia County, Florida
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the Escambia County district |
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| In office 1871–1873 |
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| Born | 1836 or 1838 Santa Rosa County, Florida |
| Died | 1910 (aged 73–74)or 1910 (aged 71–72) |
Zebulon Elijah (born between 1836 and 1838 – died 1910) was an important leader in Florida. He was born in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Zebulon Elijah was enslaved for part of his life. After the American Civil War, he became a free man. He then worked as a government official and a state lawmaker.
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Zebulon Elijah's Early Life and Freedom
Zebulon Elijah was born in Florida. At the time, many African Americans were enslaved. This meant they were not free and had no rights. After the Civil War ended in 1865, things began to change. The 13th Amendment made slavery illegal. This period was called the Reconstruction Era. During Reconstruction, formerly enslaved people gained new rights. They could vote and even run for office.
Serving in the Florida Government
Zebulon Elijah became a state legislator. A legislator is someone who helps make laws. He served in the Florida House of Representatives. This is part of Florida's state government. He represented Escambia County from 1871 to 1873. This was a big step for someone who had been enslaved.
Other Important Roles
After his time as a state representative, Zebulon Elijah held other jobs. He worked as a postmaster in Pensacola. A postmaster manages a post office. This means they are in charge of mail delivery. He held this job from 1874 to 1878.
Later, he became a tax assessor in Pensacola. A tax assessor figures out how much property is worth. This helps the government decide how much tax people should pay. He worked as a tax assessor from 1881 to 1882.
Why He Left the Legislature
Zebulon Elijah left his job as a state representative early. This happened because of a new federal law. This law said that people who worked for the U.S. government could not also hold state or city jobs. Since he was going to be a postmaster (a federal job), he had to resign from the state legislature.
Zebulon Elijah's Legacy
Zebulon Elijah was an important figure in Florida's history. He showed that formerly enslaved people could become leaders. He helped shape laws and serve his community. His work during the Reconstruction Era was very important. He helped build a better future for everyone in Florida.
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