Kings County Colored Mens Association
The Kings County Colored Mens Association of Brooklyn, New York, in the United States, was a Reconstruction-era political advocacy group. The group, seemingly led by Rev. A. N. Freeman, held regular meetings and debates, elected convention delegates, and endorsed candidates, namely Ulysses S. Grant for president.[1] In 1866 the group met to discuss the progress of civil rights legislation and the conversation turned to the allegiances of President Andrew Johnson.[2]
I am opposed to President Johnson. He is in my way, and in the way of my people, and I don't believe he means to do us justice ... Do you recollect how David prayed for his enemies? I believe he prayed they might be sent to hell...I didn't pray to have Andy Johnson sent to hell. I prayed that he might be taken out of my way; and I thought if the Lord sent him to hell, it would be on his own responsibility. [Laughter]
— Rev. Mr. Bundick speaking
The group may have been a "9th Ward appendage" of the Republican Party, and seems to have been disbanded by the 1880s.[3]
References
- "The Brooklyn Colored Men of Kings County for Grant Mass-Meeting Last Evening". The New York Times. 1872-05-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- "The Negro on National Affairs". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1866-02-23. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- Blumin, Stuart M.; Altschuler, Glenn C. (2022-09-15). The Rise and Fall of Protestant Brooklyn: An American Story (1 ed.). Cornell University Press. pp. 157–158. doi:10.7591/cornell/9781501765513.001.0001. ISBN 978-1-5017-6551-3.