Emporia, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John Day

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

1. John Day Marker

Inscription. John Day, a free African American cabinetmaker and brother of Thomas Day, cabinetmaker and builder, was born in Hicksford (present-day Emporia) on 18 Feb. 1797. Licensed in 1821 as a Baptist minister, he sailed in December 1830 to Liberia, where in 1853 he became pastor of Providence Church in Monrovia, the capital. In 1854 he established Day's Hope High School. He was a delegate to Liberia's constitutional convention, a signer of its constitution and its Declaration of Independence in 1847, and the second chief justice of its supreme court. Day died in Monrovia on 15 Feb. 1859.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UM-48.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1830.

Location. 36° 41.552′ N, 77° 32.378′ W. Marker is in Emporia, Virginia. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 301) and Valley Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

: Fearnought (within shouting distance of this marker); Hicksford Raid (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emporia Railroad History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Wilbert Tucker (1913~1990) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tarleton's Movements (approx. ¼ mile away); Meherrin River Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Hicksford Raid Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Shiloh Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Butts Tavern (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

North Main Street (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

2. North Main Street (facing north)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,385 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.