James Bradley
The life of this one man summarizes the experiences of millions of
Afro-Americans. Born in Africa in the early Nineteenth Century, slave traders
brought Bradley to America as an infant. By the time he was 18 years old,
Bradley managed his master's Arkansas Plantation. Over a five year period he
earned enough money to purchase his freedom.As a freeman Bradley crossed the Ohio River here at Covington, the legal and symbolic divide between slavery and freedom. He enrolled at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati in 1834. Bradley was the only ex-slave who participated in the Famous Lane Seminary debates on slavery and abolitionism. Bradley's participation stood as an eloquent witness to the equality of all. His speech declared that the great desire of the slaves was "liberty and education."
This sculpture made possible by:
the Bernstein Family/Mike Fink, the Kentucky Post, Jerry Deters and Family,
Peoples Liberty Bank, Hopple Plastics, Inc., St Elizabeth Medical Center,
Kenton County Airport Board
Sculptor, George Danhires
An official project of the
Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission, 1988
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 39° 5.488′ N, 84° 30.333′ W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. Marker is at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Kennedy Street, on the left when traveling east on Riverside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Covington KY 41011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Captain Mary B. Greene (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Neighborhoods / Riverwalk Statues (about 300 feet away); The Point (about 300 feet away); George and Ruth Kohlbran Fountain (about 400 feet away); Chief Little Turtle (about 400 feet away); Kennedy House (about 400 feet away); Carneal House, ca. 1815 (about 400 feet away); Simon Kenton (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.
Also see . . .
1. James Bradley bought his freedom from slavery, came to Cincinnati...(WCPO, 2/28/19). (Submitted on June 29, 2019.)
2. James Bradley – from hopeless bondage to Lane Rebel (Oberlin Heritage Center Blog). (Submitted on June 29, 2019.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 290 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
