Samuel H. Davis (civil rights leader) explained

Samuel H. Davis (August 13, 1810 – 1907)^[1] was a religious and civil rights leader in the United States. He was a pastor at the Michigan Street Baptist Church and chaired the National Convention of Colored Citizens of America held in Buffalo, New York from August 15 to August 19, 1843.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Davis was born in Temple Mills, Maine. He lived in Buffalo, New York.^{[5] [6]}

Davis studied at Oberlin College in Ohio. Afterwards he spent time in Windsor, Canada before returning to Buffalo. He worked as a mason. He taught at a Buffalo school for African Americans.^[7] Davis was the fifth pastor of the Michigan Street Baptist Church, reached the funding level needed for a church building for the congregation, and built much of it himself.^[8] The church was a stop on the Underground Railroad. In 2011, signage was unveiled at the church commemorating its history and Samuel H. Davis. Attendees included his descendants.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: First Regular Baptist Church, Dresden : Historical background. Ontario Heritage Trust. c. 2011. 27 December 2023. Final paragraph. Davis died at the age of 97 in 1907. His tombstone rests at the British American Institute cemetery at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History..
2. Web site: Michigan Street Church. www.math.buffalo.edu.
3. Web site: (1843) Samuel H. Davis, "We Must Assert Our Rightful Claims and Plead Our Own Cause" •. January 24, 2007.
4. Samuel H. Davis Address, National Convention of Colored Citizens, Buffalo, 1843, n.d.. Lillion. Batchelor. core.ac.uk.
5. Richardson, William J. "The life and times of Samuel H. Davis: an anti slavery activist." Afro-Americans in New York Life and History, vol. 33, no. 1, 2009, pages 47-89. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.
6. Book: The Life and Times of Samuel H. Davis: An Anti Slavery Activist (Biography). books.apple.com.
7. Web site: Uncrowned Community Builders. Uncrowned Community Builders.
8. Web site: The Michigan Street Baptist Church, Buffalo, NY formed. African American Registry.
9. Web site: Williams . Deidre . 26 August 2011 . Black builder of church celebrated at sign unveiling . https://web.archive.org/web/20210421113754/https://buffalonews.com/news/black-builder-of-church-celebrated-at-sign-unveiling/article_eacc2d00-4c19-5267-9bbe-6efc74a83622.html . 2021-04-21 . The Buffalo News.