Public access is provided to these resources to preserve the historical record. The content represents the opinions and actions of their creators and the culture in which they were produced. Therefore, some materials may contain language and imagery that is outdated, offensive and/or harmful. The content does not reflect the opinions, values, or beliefs of ECU Libraries.
If you know something about this item or would like to request additional information, click here.
Alexander L. Manly was born near Raleigh in 1866 and was the editor of an African American newspaper, the Wilmington Record, he and his brother Frank owned in Wilmington, North Carolina. The brothers became the target of violence after publishing an editorial (written by Alex) in August 1898 that upset the white citizens of Wilmington. Their printing offices were destroyed by a mob in November 10, 1898, but the brothers escaped due in large part to their light skin color. At the time of the violence, Alex’s fiancée Caroline “Carrie” Sampson Sadgwar was performing in England with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. After her return, they were married in Washington, D.C., and moved to Pennsylvania. The document below is a typescript (done by their son Milo Manly) of a letter written by Carrie Manly to her sons Milo A. Manly and Lewin Manly. Typescripts of nine letters (1953-1955) written by her to her sons detailing the story of her life are in this collection. In this January 14, 1954, letter she relates the story of the Wilmington Race Riot and her future husband’s escape to safety.
Complete the fields below to post a public comment about the material featured on this page. The email address you submit will not be displayed and would only be used to contact you with additional questions or comments.
I was born in Philadelphia and did not know anything about my ancestors. Would love to be contacted by someone who knows more about the Sadgwar’s.
Hi Michael, I am a preservationist and a researcher. I am doing research on the Sadgwar family of Wilmington, NC. Carrie Sadgwar Manly's brother Charles Sadgwar and his wife Jennie are buried in the cemetery I currently restore in NJ.