Louisa in Louisa County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John Mercer Langston Birthplace

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008

1. John Mercer Langston Birthplace Marker

Inscription. John Mercer Langston was born 5.5 miles N.W. of here on 14 Dec. 1829, son of plantation owner Ralph Quarles and his former slave Lucy Langston. A graduate of Oberlin College (1849), in 1855 Langston became township clerk of Brownheim, Ohio - the first African American popularly elected to office. During the Civil War, he recruited regiments for the Union army. Afterward, he was founder and first dean of the Law Department of Howard University, served as minister resident in Haiti and charge d'affaires in Santo Domingo, and was first president of what is now Virginia State University. In 1888 he became the first black congressman elected from Virginia. He died on 15 Nov. 1897 in Washington, D.C.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-222.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1897.

Location. 38° 1.466′ N, 78° 0.177′ W. Marker is in Louisa, Virginia, in Louisa County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street

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(U.S. 33) and Courthouse Square (State Road 208), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Located at the east corner of the Louisa County Courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisa VA 23093, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of All Veterans (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisa Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Patrick Henry's Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Louisa County Courthouse Threshold (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Louisa (approx. ¼ mile away); Hugh Hammond Bennett (1881-1960) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Louisa Rail Road track--1837 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisa.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008

2. John Mercer Langston Birthplace Marker

John Mercer Langston image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

3. John Mercer Langston

John Mercer Langston<br>Minister to Hayti image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. John Mercer Langston
Minister to Hayti

from: Muller -- Distinguished colored men.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,480 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 14, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on May 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.