1864: 1st Anniversary
For the first anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1864, there are two accounts of the festivities in St. Augustine.
A Letter From Mother
Clarissa Anderson was a well known Union sympathizer who stayed in her “Markland” mansion throughout the Civil War while her son Andrew Anderson, Jr. was in New York in college.
In a letter written by Mrs. Anderson to her son Andrew, she states:
“Jan.1st. A grand celebration by the Freedmans Society today. A staging was erected under the flagstaff on the plaza; there were two bands of music present, several speeches given. The ladies and gentlemen were invited to partake of a dinner at the court house (today’s Governor’s House Museum).The sable race were all present in their gayest attire. They formed a procession at the Chapel (the Presbyterian Chapel at the rear of the first Presbyterian church on southern St.. George Street) & proceeded to the plaza. I believe they opened the exercises by singing two songs, which was done in a creditable manner....
The dinner was quite sumptuous provided entirely by the negroes. They had two roast pigs, roast pork & beef which was provided by the government several loaves of iced cakes, pie, fruit, etc....
They raised by subscription ninety dollars. Their [dinner] cost $89.50 leaving a balance of fifty cts. I did not attend. It was quite a nice affair & the negroes deserve credit. The speeches I am told were very good.”
In The News
The New York Times carried a more detailed report on the Emancipation Day events here.
“St. Augustine, Friday Jan. 1, 1864. The freedmen of this place have celebrated their first anniversary of the Proclamation of Emancipation to-day, and with entire success. At eleven A. M., they met on the Plaza, the bands of the two regiments playing for them, and citizens and strangers looking on with eager interest. The school children neatly dressed marched upon the ground and shared in the exercises. Their songs, their quiet attention, and their creditable appearance in every way, gave good proof of the earnest efforts of their philanthropic teachers....
...The colored people looked very proud and happy, as they served their guests and then, after rearranging the tables, took their places. They were thanked in the name of the company, for their bountiful and highly creditable entertainment, and left to enjoy their happy anniversary by themselves, and in their own way.
I must not forget to mention the hearty cheers which they gave on the Plaza, to the Union, and to Abraham Lincoln. It is no wonder that they place him next to their Saviour in gratitude and love.”