George Teamoh's narrative contains important information on post Civil War Virginia, for he was an elected to and participated in the Virginia Reconstruction era government.
16 Facts About George Teamoh
1.
2.
George Teamoh discussed critically and candidly the role played by African American delegates to the state convention; his efforts as a state senator to promote equitable work policies at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard; and the factionalism within the Republican party that led to his defeat.
3.
George Teamoh writes he was born enslaved in 1818 in Norfolk, Virginia.
4.
George Teamoh's owners were Josiah and Jane Thomas and when he was about ten years of age he was moved with the Thomas's to Portsmouth Virginia.
5.
George Teamoh informs readers, he was orphaned prior to adolescent.
6.
In 1832 while working in a brickyard George Teamoh taught himself to read and write by listening to white children.
7.
George Teamoh would sing the alphabet and identify words on handbills and posters.
8.
George Teamoh was an admirer of William Shakespeare's plays, quoted dramatist Ben Jonson and the poet Lord Byron and enjoyed going to the theater.
9.
George Teamoh came to love the forms of the Church of England and learned much of The Book of Common Prayer.
10.
When George Teamoh first came into the shipyard, white shipyard workers were resentful of enslaved labor and fearful that free blacks might inspire the enslaved to revolt.
11.
George Teamoh enclosed memorial from the navy yard master mechanics and workmen.
12.
On 6 May 1863 George Teamoh married Elizabeth Smith in Boston, Massachusetts.
13.
George Teamoh quickly rose to prominence as a leader of Portsmouth's African American community and advocated for fair wages for fellow shipyard workers.
14.
George Teamoh became a delegate at the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868, then served one term as a state senator.
15.
In January 1871, George Teamoh spoke in favor of an unsuccessful bill to outlaw whipping, noting that many former slaves like himself had endured such punishments.
16.
George Teamoh died sometime after 1887, at an unknown time or place.