MACON, Ga. — Jefferson Long was an influential black man from Central Georgia, who was able to teach himself how to read and write and went on to serve in Congress.
The sun shines on his Pleasant Hill Park memorial where you can read a brief description of his accomplished life.
"Jefferson Long was a key figure here in the nation, and he has ties to this community," Little Richard House Board Member Antonio Williams said.
Williams was born and raised in the neighborhood and worked with city and state leaders to turn what used to be abandoned houses into Jefferson Long Park.
"How perfect for the community and the revitalization efforts to have this park named after such an important figure," he said.
Who was Jefferson Long?
Genealogy and Historical Archives specialist Muriel McDowell-Jackson gave some background.
"He was born in Crawford County around 1836. He was sold to a Mr. Salisbury who brought him to Macon, where he took a keen interest in tailoring," Jackson said.
She had a copy of his full-page ad for his tailoring business.
"His office was across the street from the newspaper, the Macon Telegraph at that time. I think it might of been the Georgia Messenger probably. He learned type-setting, that's how he learned to teach himself how to read and write," she said.
Long became well-known as a freed slave who could read and write with a tailoring business.
At 34-years-old, he pursued a political career and made history in 1870.
"He's the first African American elected to Congress from Georgia. He's the second African American to be sworn in in Congress. He's also the first African American to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives," Jackson said.
Long served 46 days before being pushed out by the longtime members asserting their power, but he paved the way for future African Americans in Congress.
"He lived to see to the changing of a new century, dying in 1901. I'm sure he never thought he'd see the end of slavery let alone blacks coming closer to being on a more equal stance," Jackson said.
Long died at 65-years-old. He's buried at Linwood Cemetery in Macon with his wife and oldest son of seven children.
Jackson has not been able to find any living descendants.
STAY ALERT | Download our FREE app now to receive breaking news and weather alerts. You can find the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.
STAY UPDATED | Click here to subscribe to our Midday Minute newsletter and receive the latest headlines and information in your inbox every day.
Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page.