"A Card of Thanks"

Title

Subject

People; Reuben Patterson

Description

Florence historian Lee Freeman: this is a letter from Reuben Patterson (1836-1929), a cook and former slave who moved to Florence ca. 1868 with his former master, Col. Josiah Patterson, expressing his "heartfelt thanks" to several "white gentlemen" who had presented him with a suit of clothes in gratitude for his efforts with other members of the black community of Florence, in assisting white residents in fighting a disastrous fire on Sunday, December 7, 1868 which destroyed "a whole Square [Court Square, the area surrounding the court house] with the exception of one house." Several homes and businesses in Court Square, including the businesses of black businessmen John H. Rapier, Sr. and the stable of Rush Patton, Sr. were wiped out by this fire (Rush's horses and buggies were saved). Editor Dr. David R. Lindsay (brother of AL Governor Robert B. Lindsay and uncle of Maud Lindsay) of the Florence Journal of Wednesday, December 10, 1868 stated: "The colored folks were out in good numbers, many of whom strove with a praiseworthy emulation, vieing [sic] with the whites in the labor of an imperative duty. The exertions of many of the colored men were noticed, and the names of those of them who labored so faithfully and efficiently are noted down, and will neither be forgotten nor overlooked."

Creator

Patterson, Reuben

Source

Florence Journal

Publisher

Florence Journal

Date

1869-01-07

Contributor

Lee Freeman

Rights

Images are available for educational and research purposes. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the copyright holder and receive permission.

Format

JPG

Language

English

Type

Still Image

Identifier

Card_of_Thanks.jpg

Original Format

Newspaper

Files

Collection

People

Citation

Patterson, Reuben, “"A Card of Thanks",” Shoals Black History, accessed April 20, 2024, https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/522.