1880 Washington, District of Columbia
William Syphax Self mulatto Male 55 Virginia
Mary M. Syphax Wife Female 50 Virginia
Maria B. Syphax Daughter Female 18 District of Columbia
William B. Syphax Son Male 16 District of Columbia, United States
Mary M. Syphax Daughter Female 12 District of Columbia
Autograph book kept by William Syphax while working as Chief Messenger at the Secretary of the Interior's office. William Syphax was a free black man and the son of Charles and Maria Syphax, two influential slaves at Arlington House. William went on to become a prominent figure in the local African American community. Educated first at Arlington, in his early teens he attended private schools in Alexandria and in Washington, D.C. Because of his education, William was able to secure work in the Secretary of the Interior's office, where he rose to the position of Chief Messenger. During his tenure, he developed contacts with many government officials and won deep respect for his abilities and intellect. William also kept an autograph album which contains a total of 209 signatures from prominent people such as George Washington Parke Custis, Abraham Lincoln, Chief Justice Roger Taney, John Jay, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.
In 1868, Syphax was appointed to the D.C. Board of Trustees of Colored Public Schools, where he served a total of three years. Public respect made him widely sought in several different aspects of civic and racial advancement. He was a large contributor to schools for black children. William Syphax was a dedicated man who strove to create equality between the races and relentlessly challenged policies that he felt were unjust. He was a vocal advocate for the desegregation of public schools, for example, and promoted the integration of residential communities. William Syphax died on June 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-six. The book was donated by Mary Gibson Hundley, the last surviving descendent of William Syphax.
Paper, leather, ink. L 22.5, W 15 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 6405
Excerpts of William Syphax: A Pioneer in Negro Education in the District of Columbia
By E. Delorus Preston, Jr
William Syphax [1825-1891] was born shortly after the troublous days of the Missouri Compromise; he witnessed the growing hatred and sectional discords that resulted in the Compromise of 1850; he saw the devastating effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, the Dred Scott Decision, the John Brown Raid, and lived through the hectic days of disunion, civil war and subsequent reconstruction.
Through it all he had an abiding faith in his people, and at every possible opportunity he evinced a manliness and a fortitude in his efforts to champion their cause. He was honest, courageous, thrifty in all his dealings and never descended from his lofty pedestal.
William Syphax was the offspring of a distinguished line. His grandfather, William Syphax, was a free Negro, who lived on Fairfax Street, in Alexandria, Virginia. The house in which he lived had at one time been the office of William Herbert, a leading citizen of Alexandria and a descendant of Carlyle.
He lived near the old bank of Alexandria and was constantly on the ground of the Carlyle House, over which the Braddock House was afterward built. the elder Syphax was well versed in the prophetical portions of the Scriptures, and ever and anon he was wont to stand on the street corners and preach his doctrines to passersby. He was quite a character in Alexandria and was "very industrious and much respected."
***
Name: William Syphax
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Age: 66
Birth Date: 1825
Birth Place: VA.
Death Date: 15 Jun 1891
Death Place: District of Columbia
Burial Date: 18 Jun 1891
Father:
Mother:
FHL Film Number: 2135909
Reference ID: cn 78125
Mortuary Notice
Date: Thursday, June 18, 1891
Paper: New York Tribune (New York, NY)
Page: 7
Washington, June 17
William Syphax, one of the most respected colored citizens of Washington, died here this morning. He was connected with all the prominents in this city for the advancement of his people. He entered the Interior Department in 1851 and served under nine different secretaries.
Date: Friday, June 19, 1891
Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), DC)
Page: 8
Funeral of William Syphax
The funeral of Mr. William Syphax took place yesterday afternoon at his late residence, 1641 P street, and was largely attended by his relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev Walter H Brooks of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, assisted by Dr J H Cuthbert, formerly of the old First Baptist Church, and Rev F J Grimke of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, all of whom spoke in high praise of the lofty Christian character and useful life of the deceased. The pallbearers were William H A Wormley, Carter A Stewart, sr., R J Collins, Charles H Peters, Prof Jas Storum and Wm H Butler. The interment took place at Harmony burying grounds.
William Syphax Self mulatto Male 55 Virginia
Mary M. Syphax Wife Female 50 Virginia
Maria B. Syphax Daughter Female 18 District of Columbia
William B. Syphax Son Male 16 District of Columbia, United States
Mary M. Syphax Daughter Female 12 District of Columbia
Autograph book kept by William Syphax while working as Chief Messenger at the Secretary of the Interior's office. William Syphax was a free black man and the son of Charles and Maria Syphax, two influential slaves at Arlington House. William went on to become a prominent figure in the local African American community. Educated first at Arlington, in his early teens he attended private schools in Alexandria and in Washington, D.C. Because of his education, William was able to secure work in the Secretary of the Interior's office, where he rose to the position of Chief Messenger. During his tenure, he developed contacts with many government officials and won deep respect for his abilities and intellect. William also kept an autograph album which contains a total of 209 signatures from prominent people such as George Washington Parke Custis, Abraham Lincoln, Chief Justice Roger Taney, John Jay, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.
In 1868, Syphax was appointed to the D.C. Board of Trustees of Colored Public Schools, where he served a total of three years. Public respect made him widely sought in several different aspects of civic and racial advancement. He was a large contributor to schools for black children. William Syphax was a dedicated man who strove to create equality between the races and relentlessly challenged policies that he felt were unjust. He was a vocal advocate for the desegregation of public schools, for example, and promoted the integration of residential communities. William Syphax died on June 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-six. The book was donated by Mary Gibson Hundley, the last surviving descendent of William Syphax.
Paper, leather, ink. L 22.5, W 15 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 6405
Excerpts of William Syphax: A Pioneer in Negro Education in the District of Columbia
By E. Delorus Preston, Jr
William Syphax [1825-1891] was born shortly after the troublous days of the Missouri Compromise; he witnessed the growing hatred and sectional discords that resulted in the Compromise of 1850; he saw the devastating effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, the Dred Scott Decision, the John Brown Raid, and lived through the hectic days of disunion, civil war and subsequent reconstruction.
Through it all he had an abiding faith in his people, and at every possible opportunity he evinced a manliness and a fortitude in his efforts to champion their cause. He was honest, courageous, thrifty in all his dealings and never descended from his lofty pedestal.
William Syphax was the offspring of a distinguished line. His grandfather, William Syphax, was a free Negro, who lived on Fairfax Street, in Alexandria, Virginia. The house in which he lived had at one time been the office of William Herbert, a leading citizen of Alexandria and a descendant of Carlyle.
He lived near the old bank of Alexandria and was constantly on the ground of the Carlyle House, over which the Braddock House was afterward built. the elder Syphax was well versed in the prophetical portions of the Scriptures, and ever and anon he was wont to stand on the street corners and preach his doctrines to passersby. He was quite a character in Alexandria and was "very industrious and much respected."
***
Name: William Syphax
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Age: 66
Birth Date: 1825
Birth Place: VA.
Death Date: 15 Jun 1891
Death Place: District of Columbia
Burial Date: 18 Jun 1891
Father:
Mother:
FHL Film Number: 2135909
Reference ID: cn 78125
Mortuary Notice
Date: Thursday, June 18, 1891
Paper: New York Tribune (New York, NY)
Page: 7
Washington, June 17
William Syphax, one of the most respected colored citizens of Washington, died here this morning. He was connected with all the prominents in this city for the advancement of his people. He entered the Interior Department in 1851 and served under nine different secretaries.
Date: Friday, June 19, 1891
Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), DC)
Page: 8
Funeral of William Syphax
The funeral of Mr. William Syphax took place yesterday afternoon at his late residence, 1641 P street, and was largely attended by his relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev Walter H Brooks of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, assisted by Dr J H Cuthbert, formerly of the old First Baptist Church, and Rev F J Grimke of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, all of whom spoke in high praise of the lofty Christian character and useful life of the deceased. The pallbearers were William H A Wormley, Carter A Stewart, sr., R J Collins, Charles H Peters, Prof Jas Storum and Wm H Butler. The interment took place at Harmony burying grounds.
1880 Washington, District of Columbia
William Syphax Self mulatto Male 55 Virginia
Mary M. Syphax Wife Female 50 Virginia
Maria B. Syphax Daughter Female 18 District of Columbia
William B. Syphax Son Male 16 District of Columbia, United States
Mary M. Syphax Daughter Female 12 District of Columbia
Autograph book kept by William Syphax while working as Chief Messenger at the Secretary of the Interior's office. William Syphax was a free black man and the son of Charles and Maria Syphax, two influential slaves at Arlington House. William went on to become a prominent figure in the local African American community. Educated first at Arlington, in his early teens he attended private schools in Alexandria and in Washington, D.C. Because of his education, William was able to secure work in the Secretary of the Interior's office, where he rose to the position of Chief Messenger. During his tenure, he developed contacts with many government officials and won deep respect for his abilities and intellect. William also kept an autograph album which contains a total of 209 signatures from prominent people such as George Washington Parke Custis, Abraham Lincoln, Chief Justice Roger Taney, John Jay, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.
In 1868, Syphax was appointed to the D.C. Board of Trustees of Colored Public Schools, where he served a total of three years. Public respect made him widely sought in several different aspects of civic and racial advancement. He was a large contributor to schools for black children. William Syphax was a dedicated man who strove to create equality between the races and relentlessly challenged policies that he felt were unjust. He was a vocal advocate for the desegregation of public schools, for example, and promoted the integration of residential communities. William Syphax died on June 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-six. The book was donated by Mary Gibson Hundley, the last surviving descendent of William Syphax.
Paper, leather, ink. L 22.5, W 15 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 6405
Excerpts of William Syphax: A Pioneer in Negro Education in the District of Columbia
By E. Delorus Preston, Jr
William Syphax [1825-1891] was born shortly after the troublous days of the Missouri Compromise; he witnessed the growing hatred and sectional discords that resulted in the Compromise of 1850; he saw the devastating effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, the Dred Scott Decision, the John Brown Raid, and lived through the hectic days of disunion, civil war and subsequent reconstruction.
Through it all he had an abiding faith in his people, and at every possible opportunity he evinced a manliness and a fortitude in his efforts to champion their cause. He was honest, courageous, thrifty in all his dealings and never descended from his lofty pedestal.
William Syphax was the offspring of a distinguished line. His grandfather, William Syphax, was a free Negro, who lived on Fairfax Street, in Alexandria, Virginia. The house in which he lived had at one time been the office of William Herbert, a leading citizen of Alexandria and a descendant of Carlyle.
He lived near the old bank of Alexandria and was constantly on the ground of the Carlyle House, over which the Braddock House was afterward built. the elder Syphax was well versed in the prophetical portions of the Scriptures, and ever and anon he was wont to stand on the street corners and preach his doctrines to passersby. He was quite a character in Alexandria and was "very industrious and much respected."
***
Name: William Syphax
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Age: 66
Birth Date: 1825
Birth Place: VA.
Death Date: 15 Jun 1891
Death Place: District of Columbia
Burial Date: 18 Jun 1891
Father:
Mother:
FHL Film Number: 2135909
Reference ID: cn 78125
Mortuary Notice
Date: Thursday, June 18, 1891
Paper: New York Tribune (New York, NY)
Page: 7
Washington, June 17
William Syphax, one of the most respected colored citizens of Washington, died here this morning. He was connected with all the prominents in this city for the advancement of his people. He entered the Interior Department in 1851 and served under nine different secretaries.
Date: Friday, June 19, 1891
Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), DC)
Page: 8
Funeral of William Syphax
The funeral of Mr. William Syphax took place yesterday afternoon at his late residence, 1641 P street, and was largely attended by his relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev Walter H Brooks of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, assisted by Dr J H Cuthbert, formerly of the old First Baptist Church, and Rev F J Grimke of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, all of whom spoke in high praise of the lofty Christian character and useful life of the deceased. The pallbearers were William H A Wormley, Carter A Stewart, sr., R J Collins, Charles H Peters, Prof Jas Storum and Wm H Butler. The interment took place at Harmony burying grounds.
William Syphax Self mulatto Male 55 Virginia
Mary M. Syphax Wife Female 50 Virginia
Maria B. Syphax Daughter Female 18 District of Columbia
William B. Syphax Son Male 16 District of Columbia, United States
Mary M. Syphax Daughter Female 12 District of Columbia
Autograph book kept by William Syphax while working as Chief Messenger at the Secretary of the Interior's office. William Syphax was a free black man and the son of Charles and Maria Syphax, two influential slaves at Arlington House. William went on to become a prominent figure in the local African American community. Educated first at Arlington, in his early teens he attended private schools in Alexandria and in Washington, D.C. Because of his education, William was able to secure work in the Secretary of the Interior's office, where he rose to the position of Chief Messenger. During his tenure, he developed contacts with many government officials and won deep respect for his abilities and intellect. William also kept an autograph album which contains a total of 209 signatures from prominent people such as George Washington Parke Custis, Abraham Lincoln, Chief Justice Roger Taney, John Jay, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.
In 1868, Syphax was appointed to the D.C. Board of Trustees of Colored Public Schools, where he served a total of three years. Public respect made him widely sought in several different aspects of civic and racial advancement. He was a large contributor to schools for black children. William Syphax was a dedicated man who strove to create equality between the races and relentlessly challenged policies that he felt were unjust. He was a vocal advocate for the desegregation of public schools, for example, and promoted the integration of residential communities. William Syphax died on June 15, 1891, at the age of sixty-six. The book was donated by Mary Gibson Hundley, the last surviving descendent of William Syphax.
Paper, leather, ink. L 22.5, W 15 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 6405
Excerpts of William Syphax: A Pioneer in Negro Education in the District of Columbia
By E. Delorus Preston, Jr
William Syphax [1825-1891] was born shortly after the troublous days of the Missouri Compromise; he witnessed the growing hatred and sectional discords that resulted in the Compromise of 1850; he saw the devastating effects of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, the Dred Scott Decision, the John Brown Raid, and lived through the hectic days of disunion, civil war and subsequent reconstruction.
Through it all he had an abiding faith in his people, and at every possible opportunity he evinced a manliness and a fortitude in his efforts to champion their cause. He was honest, courageous, thrifty in all his dealings and never descended from his lofty pedestal.
William Syphax was the offspring of a distinguished line. His grandfather, William Syphax, was a free Negro, who lived on Fairfax Street, in Alexandria, Virginia. The house in which he lived had at one time been the office of William Herbert, a leading citizen of Alexandria and a descendant of Carlyle.
He lived near the old bank of Alexandria and was constantly on the ground of the Carlyle House, over which the Braddock House was afterward built. the elder Syphax was well versed in the prophetical portions of the Scriptures, and ever and anon he was wont to stand on the street corners and preach his doctrines to passersby. He was quite a character in Alexandria and was "very industrious and much respected."
***
Name: William Syphax
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Age: 66
Birth Date: 1825
Birth Place: VA.
Death Date: 15 Jun 1891
Death Place: District of Columbia
Burial Date: 18 Jun 1891
Father:
Mother:
FHL Film Number: 2135909
Reference ID: cn 78125
Mortuary Notice
Date: Thursday, June 18, 1891
Paper: New York Tribune (New York, NY)
Page: 7
Washington, June 17
William Syphax, one of the most respected colored citizens of Washington, died here this morning. He was connected with all the prominents in this city for the advancement of his people. He entered the Interior Department in 1851 and served under nine different secretaries.
Date: Friday, June 19, 1891
Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), DC)
Page: 8
Funeral of William Syphax
The funeral of Mr. William Syphax took place yesterday afternoon at his late residence, 1641 P street, and was largely attended by his relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev Walter H Brooks of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, assisted by Dr J H Cuthbert, formerly of the old First Baptist Church, and Rev F J Grimke of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, all of whom spoke in high praise of the lofty Christian character and useful life of the deceased. The pallbearers were William H A Wormley, Carter A Stewart, sr., R J Collins, Charles H Peters, Prof Jas Storum and Wm H Butler. The interment took place at Harmony burying grounds.
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