Thriving Black Entrepreneurs

Thriving Black Entrepreneurs. Freed Blacks Lived in this Neighborhood. This sign sits in the South Hill neighborhood, where five homes still stand with roots to Lexington's freed-black community. In this neighborhood. African Americans once lived alongside whites., Although restricted in their rights, freedmen provided a range of services from doctor to confectioner. Samuel Oldham was a barber and business owner who purchased freedom for himself, his wife, Daphney, and their sons before building the Oldham House as 245 S Limestone Street circa 1835., Working their way upwards , With hard work, a quarter of freed people acquired enough wealth to join Lexington's middle classes., Homes of note in this neighborhood: , . Oldham House 245 S Limestone Street , . Clark House 344 S Upper Street – Michael Clark was a carpenter and waiter, while his wife, Hannah, worked as a laundress and seamstress. , . Turner House 331 S Mill Street – James Turner served as a minister of St. Paul AME Church, and he and his wife, Arena, supported the Underground Railroad. , . Tucker House 521 S Upper Street – William and Hannah Tucker owned a confectionary downtown. , . Relley Blue House 346 S Upper Street – Relley Blue was a blacksmith and land speculator who used property sales to buy freedom for the rest of his family.