Know Our Names: The Story of Jonathan C. Gibbs
February 15, 2018
As the first African-American to become Florida’s secretary of state, Jonathan C. Gibbs also served as a minister. Born in 1827, his parents were both free people. He earned a degree from Dartmouth College, and also studied at Princeton Theological Seminary. Gibbs traveled to North Carolina after the Civil War, where he created a school for slaves who had been freed. He would then move farther south to Florida to continue teaching freed slaves.
Appointed Secretary of State in Florida in 1868, Gibbs, the only African-American in the cabinet, served in the position from 1869 to 1872. He would later become the state superintendent of public instruction, where he worked to help African-American receive education. When at home, Gibbs would sleep in the attic of the house because of constant threats by the Ku Klux Klan. After giving a long speech in 1874, Gibbs went home for dinner and died suddenly.
John Lawton • Jul 17, 2018 at 9:41 pm
This story of Mr. Johnathan C. Gibbs was very interesting, in spite of his parents being “free”, him able to get a superb education, him educating others in his community, that is to say ex slaves that were freed; and him having to sleep in the attic in his home, because of threats to his life by the ku klux klan in North Carolina. Despite his accomplishments as Secretary of State of Florida; he was a credit to our people
however, according to “white supremacy rule, if a black becomes successful in this country, they are definately not allowed to help their own, because Blacks have to know their place. Therefore, his death is highly supicious. African Americans truly stand on the shoulders of African Americans that were before them, we should be greatful. God has brought us through much in this Country. To God be all the Glory….