“Thou Shalt Not Quit”
| — | General Daniel “Chappie” James Museum of Pensacola | — |
Pensacola is a city of families. Among the most notable is the James family, whose matriarch Lillie Anna helped educate hundreds of children in her own home.
Born Lillie Anna Brown in 1876, she was raised in the Tanyard neighborhood of Pensacola. On December 23, 1894 Lillie married Daniel James. Over the course of their 60 year marriage, they had 17 children.
Determined for her kids to have every opportunity available in the segregated South, Lillie began homeschooling in 1906. Local schools for African American children were underfunded and often overlooked at this time. Lillie's passion for education spread quickly, and she opened up her school to other neighborhood children. Tuition was a single dime, though she never turned away children eager to learn. She eventually formed the L.A. James Private Academy, and taught until her death in 1957.
Noteworthy graduates include her son, General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., Mamie Webb Hixon, Lillie Frazier, as well as several doctors, lawyers, and educators.
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• As the school’s popularity grew, Daniel and Lillie purchased the property next door.
• Background image: Students
this page online
Erected 2024 by Chappie James Museum of Pensacola and University of West Florida Historic Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 30° 25.809′ N, 87° 12.801′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in Southeast Pensacola. It is on Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive (Florida Route 291) just north of East Moreno Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is in General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1606 Doctor M.L.K Jr Drive, Pensacola FL 32503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Military Career (here, next to this marker); Living in Eastside (a few steps from this marker); Reach for the Stars (a few steps from this marker); History in Place (a few steps from this marker); Growing Up (a few steps from this marker); General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park (a few steps from this marker); General Daniel James, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); E.S. Cobb Center (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park
Also see . . .
1. Lillie Anna James (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Lillie Anna “Mother” James (June 1876 – November 3, 1957) was an American educator who established a school for African American children in Pensacola, Florida. Her son, Daniel James Jr., became the first black full general in U.S. history.(Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)She is listed as a Great Floridian.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20253. “Thou Shalt Not Quit” MarkerLooking south through General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. Memorial Park.She was born as Lillie Anna Brown to William and Hattie (Crenshaw) Brown in June 1876, in Pensacola, where she lived her entire life. James established the Lillie Anna James Private School for her own children and other black youths in her community; it would become a prestigious middle school and junior high school. Her 11th commandment was: “Thou shalt not quit”, a call for her children to prove they could compete on an equal basis. Her former home, where she ran the school, is located at 1606 Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive.
2. Lillie Anna Brown-James (Black Pensacola — facebook).
Excerpt: One of Pensacola's most revered educators was born in the Tanyard neighborhood and attended St. Joseph Catholic before joining Allen Chapel AME, upon her marriage to Daniel James. The couple raised their 17 children in a shotgun house on Alcaniz Street in Pensacola's Eastside community.(Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)She wanted to provide all Black children with an opportunity to quality education like the one she received from private Catholic school. Her outlook on gaining equality was shaped by Booker T. Washington, whose “Up From Slavery” philosophy promoted self-help, education, and excellence as tools for freedom. For over 30 years, Mrs. Lillie reinforced these values for her students who lived by her 11th Commandment, “Thou Shall Not Quit”. Her educational model was strict, stressed positive reinforcement, and did not accept failure. Older students assisted in teaching younger ones and the local Black community supported the school. Tuition was $25 cents a week.
Graduates of Mrs. Lillie's School rose to the top of their professions as educators, business people, doctors, lawyers, military servicemen and officers. Her youngest child and early student, Dan Jr., became a Tuskegee Airmen and America's first African American four-star general.
3. Lillie Anna Brown James (Find A Grave).
(St. Michael's Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA)(Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
