Such thing as a free, middle class black man during the civil war?

Question

I have to do a really boring history project. I have to create a character and have this character write a letter to a friend about the draft riots(1863) of the civil war in new york city. I want my character to be a free, middle class, black man who resides in midtown and is a manager of an all-black company. Possible?

Answer 1

Absolutely. However, I would NOT make him reside in midtown, a manager of an all-black company. New York did not look like the modern manhattan of today. I would definitely do more research to find out where Blacks lived (closer to lower east side), and what most Black men did to become wealthy in those days. I assume that the ones that were were not managers, but did own their own business that involved doing something mundane, but incredibly in demand. He would also be lighter-skinned, as a sign that he may have been of both European and African origin, that would allow him to advance in that era. Do a google. There may be a lead. There is a great exhibit in the city right now, "Slavery in New York, which is about how Blacks lived after the Abolition of slavery in New York (1822 until the Civil war in the 1860s. They will probably have a reading list and names of Black men who lived during that time. But like I said, it is more likely that a wealthier Black person at that time was self-made. He wouldn't be in "middle-management." IT was a very racist time, and many Whites were very resentful of the Blacks due to the Civil War and abolitionish movement. New York profited indirectly and directly from Slavery in the south, due to their trading of cotton. White men were called to the draft, because there was not enough willing volunteers. It was more likely that Black men would be poor and struggling. Many shined shoes and cleaned chimneys, because very few were hired. Also to add, I believe that many worked in hotels and restaurants, and those who succeeded to make a name, made service an artform. Hope all of this rambling helps.

Answer 2

Certainly, if you have him living in the North. New York would be perfect, he could describe the riots as if he actually saw them.

Answer 3

i cannot think of one but you can yahoo search you may find something.