Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Martin R. Delany

By Beverly Pfingsten, September 27, 2008

1. Martin R. Delany Marker

At its former location on East Washington Street

Inscription. Free African-American, born 1812 in Charles Town. Died 1885. Ability to read forced family to move to PA in 1822. Studied medicine and attended Harvard in 1850. Published Mystery, first black newspaper west of Allegh. 1843-47, & co-edited North Star with Frederick Douglass to promote and aid abolitionist cause. Comm. major, highest ranking African-American field officer in Union Army, in 1865.

Erected 2003 by WV Celebration 2000, West Virginia Division of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Military • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 39° 17.369′ N, 77° 51.606′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on George Street (West Virginia Route 115) north of Washington Street (West Virginia Route 51), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: SW side of the Jefferson County Courthouse, Charles Town WV 25414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonel Charles Washington (a few steps from this marker); Explore the Washington Heritage Trail / Afoot in Historic Charles Town

By William Fischer, Jr., April 30, 2017

2. Martin R. Delany Marker

At its new location

(a few steps from this marker); Charles Washington's Town (a few steps from this marker); Two Treason Trials (a few steps from this marker); The Trial of John Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Washington Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); New Central Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.

More about this marker. Marker was formerly located at 39.294437N 77.844979W, in front (south) of The Inn of Charles Town, on the left while traveling east on Washington Street (West Virginia 51).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Martin R. Delany (1812–1885). (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

By Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011

3. Martin R. Delany Marker

The Martin R. Delany marker is seen on the right, at its former location.

By William Fischer, Jr., April 30, 2017

4. Martin R. Delany Marker

At its new location, looking SE along George Street toward Washington Street

Martin R. Delany Marker at Jefferson County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

By William Fischer, Jr., April 30, 2017

5. Martin R. Delany Marker at Jefferson County Courthouse

Marker was formerly in front of The Inn of Charles Town. image. Click for full size.

By Bill Pfingsten, September 27, 2008

6. Marker was formerly in front of The Inn of Charles Town.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,662 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on October 18, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on October 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.