From the Stage: Charles Bennett Ray

May 1855 — Attended the annual business meeting of the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery society. Served as a member of the executive committee. Frederick Douglass’ Paper, May 25, 1855.

March 1855 – Ray published an announcement in the Frederick Douglass’ Paper declaring that a financial award will be given to a boy and girl in the color ward grammar schools of New York. A barber named Charles Ridgway funded the award. Frederick Douglass’ Paper, March 13, 1855.

November 1855 — Soon after the National Colored Convention, Ray used his house as a shelter for a ten-year-old girl who was in the process of escaping slavery and immigrating to Canada. He wrote a letter about the incident. M. N. Work. “The Life of Charles B. Ray.” The Journal of Negro History 4.4 (1919): 361–371.

April 1855 – Attended a meeting at the New York City Abolition Society. Ray served on the executive committee of this society. Frederick Douglass’ Paper, April 27, 1855.

Read Ray’s biography here.

Credits

Eric Brown, English 641, Spring 2016. Taught by Professor P. Gabrielle Foreman, University of Delaware.