Episodes Around: 18551114

  1. Abolitionist Expelled from Bethany College
    date October 12, 1855 to 1856map BROOKE, Virginiatags Church/Religious-Activity, Education, Politics, Slavery

    It was the fall of 1855; Bethany College in Bethany, Virginia had been in session for only a few weeks when an incident shattered the equanimity of the student population. Five northern students were dismissed for trying to introduce their Abolitionism into the college, into its literary societies, and into the church, according to the college president and founder, famed Restoration minister Alexander...

  2. The Pains of Being a Democrat in Richmond
    date November, 1855 to January, 1856map RICHMOND, Virginiatags Crime/Violence, Politics, Urban-Life/Boosterism

    In 1855, John Sergeant Wise, the young son of the newly elected Governor Henry Wise, was desperately trying to adapt to his new home in Richmond, Virginia. Having previously come from a rural town, John Wise was mocked by his schoolmates for being a provincial bumpkin. However, most of the abuse from his fellow students was due to his father's political persuasion as a Democrat. In one particular...

  3. Bill Passed to Incorporate the Mississippi Central and Tennessee Railroad Company
    date November 14, 1855map DAVIDSON, Tennesseetags Economy, Migration/Transportation

    During 1855 there was a strong movement to expand the railroads in the southern states. Although railroads were well established in the far southeastern states, there was still a need and desire to expand into the west and into the midwestern states. During the 1850's there was a particular expansion of railroads in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Railroads were also built more upon...