Whitesboro-Burleigh in Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

George Henry White

"American Phoenix" (1852-1918)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2017

1. George Henry White Marker

Inscription.

George Henry White. "American Phoenix" (1852-1918). Last African-American Congressman of the Reconstruction Era. Only black member of the 55th Congress. Attorney and founding member of Whitesboro, NJ. . Recognizing that economic power would be the path to equality for Black Americans, Republican Congressman George Henry White embarked upon an effort to create self-sufficiency and financial growth for his race. White believed that success was possible when all people were allowed “an even chance in the race of life.” But when his home state of North Carolina instituted literacy tests for black voters, White realized that people of color would not have an equal opportunity there. So, after leaving Congress in 1901, he decided to start anew in the North. , From Washington, he moved to Philadelphia where he continued his law work, moving his family there in 1906. He now saw that economic empowerment of Black citizens would be the most urgent task, so he began creating institutions to help them attain success. In Philadelphia, White established the People’s Savings Bank in 1906, the City’s first black-owned commercial bank, which helped the black community start businesses, save for education, and finance land purchases. But that was only the start. His dream and vision of a model community where black families could own land, build businesses, be independent farmers, and educate their children was realized with the establishment of the town of Whitesboro, New Jersey. This town where we live within Middle Township, NJ is George White’s most enduring legacy. , During his post congressional career George Henry White served as honorary trustee for Howard University; was on the Board of Berean Manual Training Institute; and was also a trustee of North Carolina’s Biddle University. He also served on the Board of Directors of Frederick Douglas (sic) Hospital and as a Director of the Home for the Protection of Colored Women. An early leader in the NAACP, he stayed active in politics, and became Assistant City Solicitor for Philadelphia in 1917. , On December 28, 1918, George Henry White died in his sleep after a life of public service. He was interred in Philadelphia’s Eden Cemetery – joined later by George Jr., a Pittsburgh attorney, and daughter Mamie, Whitesboro’s first schoolteacher.

Last African-American Congressman of the Reconstruction Era.
Only black member of the 55th Congress.
Attorney and founding member of Whitesboro, NJ.
Recognizing that economic power would be the path to equality for Black Americans, Republican Congressman George Henry White embarked upon an effort to create self-sufficiency and financial growth for his race. White believed that success was possible when all people were allowed “an even chance in the race of life.” But when his home state of North Carolina instituted literacy tests for black voters, White realized that people of color would not have an equal opportunity there. So, after leaving Congress in 1901, he decided to start anew in the North.

From Washington, he moved to Philadelphia where he continued his law work, moving his family there in 1906. He now saw that economic empowerment of Black citizens would be the most urgent task, so he began creating institutions to help them attain success. In Philadelphia, White established the People’s Savings Bank in 1906, the City’s first black-owned commercial bank, which helped the black community start businesses, save for education, and finance land purchases. But that was only the start. His dream and vision of a model community where black families could own land, build

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businesses, be independent farmers, and educate their children was realized with the establishment of the town of Whitesboro, New Jersey. This town where we live within Middle Township, NJ is George White’s most enduring legacy.

During his post congressional career George Henry White served as honorary trustee for Howard University; was on the Board of Berean Manual Training Institute; and was also a trustee of North Carolina’s Biddle University. He also served on the Board of Directors of Frederick Douglas (sic) Hospital and as a Director of the Home for the Protection of Colored Women. An early leader in the NAACP, he stayed active in politics, and became Assistant City Solicitor for Philadelphia in 1917.

On December 28, 1918, George Henry White died in his sleep after a life of public service. He was interred in Philadelphia’s Eden Cemetery – joined later by George Jr., a Pittsburgh attorney, and daughter Mamie, Whitesboro’s first schoolteacher.

Erected 2013 by Middle Township and Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, New Jersey.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce

George Henry White image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. George Henry White

• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.

Location. 39° 2.332′ N, 74° 51.396′ W. Marker is in Middle Township, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Whitesboro-Burleigh. Marker is at the intersection of Shore Road (U.S. 9) and East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Shore Road. Marker is the focal point of a small garden at the northeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 E Main St, Cape May Court House NJ 08210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. This is the Home of the Whitesboro Grammar School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1883 Original Terminus Anglesea Railroad (approx. 3½ miles away); Cape May Revolutionary Patriot Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); County Seat (approx. 3.6 miles away); Historic Cape May County Court House (approx. 3.6 miles away); Ens. Leonard R. Volpi (approx. 3.7 miles away); Ens. Andrew P. Hamilton (approx. 3.7 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middle Township.

Also see . . .

George Henry White Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 24, 2017

3. George Henry White Marker (wide view)

1. George Henry White. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Rise Once Again: George Henry White, American Phoenix. Website homepage:
From the backwoods of North Carolina, George White rose to graduate from Howard University in 1877, becoming first an educator and then a lawyer. From 1897 to 1901, his was the sole voice in Congress for some 10 million African Americans, including as author of a bill to outlaw lynching, and standing strong against the erosion of political rights for all. When the right to vote was denied to North Carolina's black citizens in 1900, White left politics... (Submitted on March 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on May 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on March 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.