Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

suspended from office

Posted on August 12, 2017 by SUMPTER

A week earlier President Andrew Johnson tried to get around the strictures of the Tenure of Office Act by asking the most radical member of his cabinet secretaries to resign. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton refused. On August 12, 1867 … Continue reading →

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tethered in office?

Posted on August 5, 2017 by SUMPTER

Back in March 1867 the United States Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act over President Andrew Johnson’s veto. The act required that any federal officeholder whose appointment required the advice and consent of the Senate could only be removed … Continue reading →

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odds-making

Posted on August 1, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today black men voted for the first time in Tennessee. Ex-Confederates were still prohibited from voting. Republican Governor William G. Brownlow (Parson Brownlow) was re-elected by a large majority. From The New-York Times August 2, 1867: THE … Continue reading →

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summer schooled

Posted on July 19, 2017 by SUMPTER

During the mid-nineteenth century the United States Congress was not in session as much as it is today. In general, Congress did not meet from March until the following December. 1867 was a different kind of year. In March legislation … Continue reading →

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battle in Franklin

Posted on July 7, 2017 by SUMPTER

Another riot in the South. This one occurred 150 years ago this week in Franklin, Tennessee at something like a political rally ahead of state-wide elections on August 1st. This would be the first Tennessee election in which black men … Continue reading →

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oh … canada

Posted on July 1, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today three British colonies up north joined together to make one Dominion of Canada – one British colony with four separate provinces (the colony of Canada was cleft in two). Most citizens were reportedly able to contain … Continue reading →

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father’s day

Posted on June 4, 2017 by SUMPTER

In December 1811 Jacob Johnson of Raleigh, North Carolina jumped into Hunter’s Mill Pond to rescue three men whose boat had capsized. He successfully saved all three, but in January 1812 Jacob Johnson died, possibly as a result of jumping … Continue reading →

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pre-dawn queues

Posted on June 3, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today recently enfranchised black men in the District of Columbia once again took advantage of their new right to vote in large numbers at a local election. The presumably more progressive Republicans won  all the city-wide races … Continue reading →

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Gone Hollywood

Posted on May 31, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today thousands of Richmond residents converged on Hollywood cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate war dead. Although a riot broke out in Richmond on May 11th, the Times’ HENRICO correspondent emphasized that the city was peaceful … Continue reading →

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Mobile targets

Posted on May 18, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago earlier this week a riot broke out in Mobile, Alabama. From The New-York Times May 15, 1867: RIOT IN MOBILE. Attack by Secessionists upon Judge Kelley – Several Men Shot. MOBILE, Tuesday, May 14. A large number … Continue reading →

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