America's first freedom rider : Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the early fight for civil rights / Jerry Mikorenda.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mikorenda, Jerry, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Graham, Elizabeth Jennings, 1827-1901.

Graham, Elizabeth Jennings.

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886.

Arthur, Chester Alan.

African American women--New York (State)--New York--Biography.

African American women.

African Americans--New York (State)--New York--Biography.

African Americans.

Civil rights workers--New York (State)--New York--Biography.

Civil rights workers.

African Americans--Civil rights--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century.

Segregation in transportation--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century.

Segregation in transportation.

African American teachers--Biography.

African American teachers.

Race relations.

History.

African Americans--Civil rights.

New York (State)--Race relations.

New York (State).

New York (State)--Biography.

New York (State)--New York.

Genre:

Biographies.

History.

Physical Description:

xiii, 241 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Guilford, Connecticut : Lyons Press, [2020]

Summary:

"In 1854, traveling was full of danger. Omnibus accidents were commonplace. Pedestrians were regularly attacked by the Five Points' gangs. Rival police forces watched and argued over who should help. Pickpockets, drunks and kidnappers were all part of the daily street scene in old New York. Yet somehow, they endured and transformed a trading post into the Empire City. None of this was on Elizabeth Jennings's mind as she climbed the platform onto the Chatham Street horsecar. But her destination and that of the country took a sudden turn when the conductor told her to wait for the next car because it had "her people" in it. When she refused to step off the bus, she was assaulted by the conductor who was aided by a NY police officer. On February 22, 1855, Elizabeth Jennings v. Third Avenue Rail Road case was settled. Seeking $500 in damages, the jury stunned the courtroom with a $250 verdict in Lizzie's favor. Future US president Chester A. Arthur was Jennings' attorney and their lives would be forever onward intertwined. This is the story of what happened that day. It's also the story of Jennings' and Arthur's families, the struggle for equality, and race relations. It's the history of America at its most despicable and most exhilarating. Yet few historians know of Elizabeth Jennings or the impact she had on desegregating public transit.

Contents:

Chapter I Good Old New York Stock p. 1

Chapter II The Wizard of Whipple City p. 21

Chapter III Slavery in the Empire City p. 35

Chapter IV Bold Men of Color p. 55

Chapter V Sisters in Struggle p. 73

Chapter VI Zack Comes to Town p. 87

Chapter VII City of Omnibuses p. 101

Chapter VIII Late for Church p. 111

Chapter IX The Trial p. 121

Chapter X The Legal Rights Association p. 133

Chapter XI The Great School Wars p. 141

Chapter XII The Civil War Comes to New York p. 155

Chapter XIII Nell's Window p. 175

Chapter XIV To Exercise Their Senses p. 193

Chapter XV Shadows of Tall Buildings p. 207.

ISBN:

9781493041343

1493041347

OCLC:

1096291930

Publisher Number:

99983495598