Elizabeth Jennings (Graham)
By
John C Abercrombie
When the subject of Blacks in America is discussed, most people think of slavery. Slavery in the South and great equality in the North. This is not a true representation, but the common one held by most people because history books avoid the issue, and most avoid any but the most commonly held views on the subject of race or slavery.
On Sunday, July 16, 1854, in New York, we have a great example of a commonly ignored truth. There was racism in the North, but without some of the common connotations of slavery.
Elizabeth Jennings, a young school teacher was on her way to church to perform as organist. Being late, she boarded a streetcar with a friend, Sarah Adams. At this point, the ugly head of racism rears its ugly head. She was denied passage on an available streetcar because of her race.
In those days the street cars were operated by private companies and the practice is that there were cars with signs that allowed Blacks to ride. If there was no sign, Blacks were denied service. Being private companies, they could refuse service to anyone and the owners and operators strictly enforced segregated seating. Except on the cars marked that “Colored Allowed”, Blacks were denied service.
In the 1830’s and 40’s, Blacks didn’t use public transportation because of the difficulties and unequal treatment. A driver could decide if you could ride and Blacks were not welcome. Black people used the motto “Walk”. It allowed them to avoid the cruel treatment that often resulted as they attempted to ride. Drivers carried whips and used them to keep Blacks off the streetcars. Drivers knew that no action would be taken against them no matter how they treated Black riders.
By the 1840’s there were special buses on which Blacks could ride. These cars had large “Colored Persons Allowed” signs. The problem was these cars did not always run on time, often they were late or did not run at all, so they were not dependable.
This is not the view of the North that many people hold.
The following is a report from the New York Tribune dated February 1855.
“She got upon one of the Company’s cars last summer, on the Sabbath, to ride to church. The conductor undertook to get her off, first alleging the car was full; when that was shown to be false, he pretended the other passengers were displeased at her presence; but (when) she insisted on her rights, he took hold of her by force to expel her. She resisted. The conductor got her down on the platform, jammed her bonnet, soiled her dress and injured her person. Quite a crowd gathered, but she effectually resisted. Finally, after the car had gone on further, with the aid of a policemen, they succeed in removing her.”
The Black community was righteously outraged and held a rally in support of Jennings. Elizabeth described how she and her friend Sarah Adams were treated. She described how the conductor attacked her. In her words …”I told him I was a respectable person, born and raised in this city, that I did not know where he was from and that he was a good for nothing impudent fellow for insulting decent persons while on their way to church. “Elizabeth Jennings was the daughter of Thomas Jennings, a very well-established businessman and community leader. Thomas Jennings was a tailor and had one of the largest businesses in the city. He is the inventor of dry scouring, today called dry cleaning.
They hired a young attorney by the name of Chester Arthur. If the name sounds familiar, it should because the young Chester A Arthur later became the 21st president of the United States.
The trial was held before an all-male, all white jury which decided the case in favor of Jennings. She sued for $500.00, but due to the racial attitudes of some jury members, the final amount was $225.00. The court added 10% penalty and expenses to that sum.
The Jennings case was important but did not bring about an immediate desegregation of all streetcars. The Jennings case was decided in 1855, but in May 1855 James Pennington had to being suit after being forcefully removed from a streetcar. The last challenge to the segregated policies was filed by Ellen Anderson, then the widow of a fallen United States Colored Troops soldier. The wheels of justice are often slow. In 1865, 10 years after the initial suit by Elizabeth Jennings, the New York public transit services were fully desegregated.
It is the intent of amazingblackhistory.com to provide quality information. In addition to the summary, there are other media available, such as videos and books. They are intended to entertain and educate on subjects that deserve attention.
We also finance our operations through speaking engagements and the use of value links that take the reader to Amazon. We receive a small royalty from the products purchased without cost to the reader.
To see the full listing of posts, click on our Blog list
For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. These posts focus on the reality of Black life in America after the Civil War culminating in the landmark Brown v Board of Education that changed so many of the earlier practices. To see the posts, click here
For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists’ see those posts, click here.
For 2022 Black History month we focused on “Health and Wellness.” To see those informative posts, click on this link.
This post is part of a series devoted to Black women we should all know. To see the entire series, click this valuable link.
We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. To see the posts, click here.
We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. To see this mini-series, continue to scroll down.
The Schomburg Center
A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. Nothing of value. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection.
Schomburg – The man who built a library
To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us
We encourage you to share the site on social media.
Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience.
Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items.
Question: What if I don’t want the product in the link?
Answer: Great question! The item has to be put into the cart for purchase. Normally it is not there, but if it is, simply remove and only purchase those items you want. Therefore, it is important to us that you use these links anytime you shop Amazon. We appreciate your support!
The links to books, videos and value items are clickable.
Videos
Books
Value items
**
Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights
**
America’s First Freedom Rider:
Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights
In 1853, 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.
ABH – America’s First Freedom Rider
**
Skin Care for Black Women
ABH – Skin Care for Black Women
**
video
Elizabeth Jennings Fights Segregation 100 Years Before Rosa Parks
In a long-forgotten passage from civil rights history, Elizabeth Jennings fought for her and other “colored persons'” rights to ride streetcars in New York City after she had been thrown off of one in July 1854.
**
Women’s Running Shoes
**
Book
Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York
Starred reviews hail Streetcar to Justice as “a book that belongs in any civil rights library collection” (Publishers Weekly) and “completely fascinating and unique” (Kirkus).
**
Plus Size Pants for Women
ABH – Plus Size Pants for Women
**
video
The Folklorist: Elizabeth Jennings
In New York City in 1854, one woman would take a stand against a terrible injustice, paving the way towards the fight for equality.
**
Electronic Keyboard
**
video
Elizabeth Jennings
Thank you to Susan Ackoff Ortega whose mural of Elizabeth Jennings’s court case was used in this video.
**
Bath Set
**
video of Thomas Jennings – This is the father of Elizabeth Jennings
THOMAS L. JENNINGS: Entrepreneur, Inventor and Abolitionist who patented a dry cleaning invention
This video is about THOMAS L. JENNINGS. He was an entrepreneur, inventor and abolitionist. He developed and patented a dry cleaning process while owning and operating a tailor and dry cleaning business. He used his money to fight for civil rights and abolitionist causes.
**
Fresh Produce
**
Video of Thomas Jennings
Black History Everyday, Thomas L Jennings
Black History should not be relegated to just one month out of the year. As a people we have contributed our blood, sweat, and tears to America and the world. It is nothing less than disrespectful to live in a country where my people’s accomplishments have been ignored and circumnavigated by not only government but also the educational system, and instead of honoring our true heroes we are taught to honor athletes and entertainers by people who are not qualified to teach us anything about ourselves.
**
Over the Counter Medicine
ABH – Over The Counter Medicines
**
As we look at the life and contributions of Elizabeth and the Jennings family, we see a continual struggle for rights that is the stated foundation of this country. While it is much touted, it is not available to all. Every one can contribute to making the dream available to all.
We thank you for your support. Please share the site and posts!
Thank you