Willis Augustus Hodges (1815-1890), A free man of color

The quest for freedom began much earlier than many of us realize. Stories of great men and women are often absent from the annals of history.  In the March 28th issue of The Freedman, a Indianapolis paper where his autobiography was published nearly six years after his death, Willis Augustus Hodges was referred to as "one of freedom's pioneers." He was born free, but he worked his entire life an an abolitionist and then a leader during the days of Reconstruction. He was one of 12 children, and his family overcame many setbacks due to prejudice and unfair practices among slaveholders. This is the beginning of a series on the Hodges family. See Whether free or slave, “one man of sorrow”

Source: examiner.com via Robin on Pinterest

Willis Augustus Hodges (1815-1890) Photo credit: New York Public Library http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?1153923