Cephas L. Davis
Cephas L. Davis (November 1839 – May 26, 1907) was a pastor, teacher and state legislature who served in the Virginia Senate after the Reconstruction era, from 1879 - 1880.[1]
Cephas L. Davis | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Senate | |
| In office 1879–1880 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1839[1] |
| Died | May 26, 1907 (aged 67) [1] Williamsburg |
| Political party | Republican |
He was born a slave to Cephas Davis and Annie "Frances" Davis around November 1839 in Christiansville Mecklenburg County, Virginia (now Chase City).[1] He became a free man sometime before the end of the American Civil War and attended an educational institution before going on to teach former slaves in Maryland from 1869 to 1870.[1]
Reverend Cephas Davis was the pastor of the Colored Baptist Church in Chase City.[2]
He ran as a Radical for the Senate in 1879 against the Conservative nomination John W. Eggleston and W. H. Jones a Readjuster.[3] The Richmond Dispatch declared Eggleston the favorite and described Davis as a "jet-black Radical" that the other blacks would not solidly support.[3]
Senator Davis was refused service in a Richmond restaurant in January 1880 along with two friends as the owner said he kept his business "for white persons only".[4]
In August 1883 he attempted with others to free black festival goers that had been arrested by the town sergeant Mr A. J. White.[5] Mr White was knocked down twice and Davis attacked him the following day and them went on to assault the mayor Joseph Prichard.[5] Davis was badly beaten, arrested and later found guilty by grand jury for the three instances.[5]
Later life and death
He moved to Philadelphia from Virginia sometime before 1902 and became the president of a social organization.[1] He had dementia in his final years and died of arteriosclerosis in hospital on May 26, 1907.[1] He was buried in Merion Memorial Park in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania[1]
References
- "Cephas L. Davis (ca. 1839–1907) – Encyclopedia Virginia". Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- "The Colored People of Chase City - A Unanimous Vote in Favor of State Solvency". Richmond Dispatch. 8 April 1875. p. 3. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- "Candidates for the House and Senate". Richmond Dispatch. 25 October 1879. p. 2. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- "Cephas Davis refused service". The Valley Virginian. 15 January 1880. p. 2. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- "Cephas Davis in trouble". Richmond Dispatch. 1 September 1883. p. 3. Retrieved 19 June 2022.