(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Other prosecution witnesses included Grayson's wife, Josephine, who also testified for the defense in some of the cases; a sister of one of the defendants; and a black woman who assisted Floyd after the attack. He said none of the men had attorneys present while they were interrogated. Based on her account, in which she claimed to have been raped by 13 black men,[3] the police quickly arrested Frank Hairston Jr. and Booker Millner. Black men executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman granted posthumous pardons | CBC News Loaded. At the time of their arrest, all but one were between the ages of 18 and 23. Howard Lee Hairston, age 20, denied having sex with Floyd. May you find comfort knowing that life continues forever in heaven even as the memories shared live forever in our hearts. Floyd identified Grayson and Hampton as her rapists but struggled to identify the others because the attack happened at night. But, none was selected for any of the seven juries, as the prosecutors rejected all of them on various grounds. I suppose that's how the electric nigglet was found innocent too. Whittle.[7]. 0 cemeteries found in Duplin County, North Carolina, USA. Martin and the NAACP also agreed to represent the men in an appeal for the Seven with the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. One of the pickets who identified himself as Richard O. Boyer of New York City, said most of the marchers were New Yorkers and the protest came from the New York Council of Arts, Sciences and Professions. August 31, 2021 / 3:17 PM In this January 30, 1951 file photo, as temperatures drop below freezing, demonstrators march in front of the White House in Washington, in what they said was an effort to persuade President Harry Truman to halt execution of seven Black men sentenced to death in Virginia on charges of raping a white woman. In advance of a large planned CRC demonstration in the state capital, Governor Battle doubled the capital guard and alerted the state militia. State And Regional Martinsville Film To Be Produced By Charlottesville Activist And Uvas Center For Politics. Joe Henry Hampton, 21, was the first man tried. The Civil Rights Congress pickets the White House February 1, 1951 demanding President Harry Truman stop the execution of the Martinsville 7 seven African American men sentenced to death for the rape of a white woman in Virginia. Rape is no longer a death-eligible crime in the U.S., but 60 years later, the executions of the Martinsville Seven still provoke strong feelings in Martinsville's African-American community and among death-penalty critics. He is now in his 70s and lives just outside the city of Martinsville. It is a filthy, sick crime," Hodge-Muse said. Virginias court system repeatedly rejected the NAACPs arguments and the US Supreme Court rejected the case twice without review. After a long legal battle led by the NAACP and a grassroots campaign led by the Civil Rights Congress, the seven were executed in 1951 on February 2nd and February 5th. The prosecution, led by Irvin W. Cubine, introduced evidence showing that non-consensual sex took place. The Library of Virginia has the letter from the lawyer, Martin, asking for execution data. In his study on the case, Rise concluded that, "At a time when African-Americans were beginning to assert their civil rights vigorously, the executions provided a stark reminder of the harsh treatment reserved for blacks who violated Southern racial codes.". Though our words can do little, we hope our thoughts and prayers will encourage you this period and always as you mourn, the passing soul. After a long legal battle led by the NAACP and a grassroots campaign led by the Civil Rights Congress, the seven were executed in 1951 on February 2nd and February 5th. Failed to remove flower. The image is a Civil Rights Congress flyer for a rally in New York City in 1950. Within hours, they admitted to having "sex" with Floyd or admitted to watching their friends have intercourse with the thirty-two-year-old. The mass executions were the largest in Virginia in modern times. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. "Thank you, Jesus. "Most of the time, the families, the people who were of age in that era, they talked about it in private homes, in churches and other places and always felt as though it was really a serious injustice. "The older people all know about it, and it's so hurtful that they don't really want to talk about it. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in. NAACP lawyers argued on appeal that Virginias legal code was hardly race-neutral since whites convicted of rape seldom if ever received the death penalty. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The NAACP appeals also noted that since Virginia started use of the electric chair, only black men had been executed for rape in the state for what was a non-lethal crime. Virginia Gov. Suggest Edits Toggle Dropdown. Now, They Have Been Pardoned", A Year of History: Martinsville Seven executions remain 'a raw wound' for many, "Seeking Justice For The Martinsville Seven", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martinsville_Seven&oldid=1137887829, Frank Hairston Jr., age 20, confessed to rape, Booker T. Millner, age 22, said he was present, but did not take part. "We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal, and gets it right no matter who you are or what you look like," he said. Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends. After being held by police overnight, the first six all signed confessions, implicating themselves and each other. The remaining three were electrocuted on February 5. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, North Carolina, U.S., Death Indexes, 1908-2004, U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. NAACP officials focused national attention to the case, hoping to delay or overturn the death penalty judgment. Grayson said she once told her father that she wanted to meet her grandfather. Four more suspects were arrested that night, based in part on the first two men's confessions. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson's name misspelled as "Jakie" on road sign, Serena Williams honored at NAACP Image Awards, City, family reach $2 million settlement in Florida fatal police shooting, How these 3 hashtags from Black Twitter changed America, announced new steps to streamline the pardon process. Save to. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. In denying appeals to commute the Martinsville 7 death sentences, Virginias Governor John S. Battle said, that the wave of messages that flooded his desks was cosponsored by the Civil Rights Congress and the Communist Party. The Martinsville 7 were African-American young men accused of the rape of a white woman, Ruby Stroud Floyd, on January 8, 1949 in Martinsville, Virginia. "[17], National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, False accusations of rape as justification for lynchings, "These 7 Black Men Were Executed For An Alleged Rape. The Martinsville 7 Project, according to their website, seeks to highlight the case, share their stories, collect and post records related to the case, and promote the pardon request. Some of the defendants acknowledged having sexual intercourse with Floyd, but said that it was consensual, or that she did not resist or say no, either considered necessary as a condition to prove rape. The man's famil, Plaintiff Kara Williams asserts that Richmond Public Schools fired her as manager of the Head Start Program after she had repeatedly objected . We encourage you all to respect the dead and accord the family heartbroken with the loss of a cherished one, some privacy as you leave a message in the comment session. [2], Rise says that the white community disdained Ruby Floyd for her missionary work with the Jehovah's Witnesses and for her willingness to enter the black part of Martinsville. He further stated, "We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal, and gets it rightno matter who you are or what you look like. Did You Know That Disney Released A Cartoon Featuring A Freed Slave As The Hero? Your email address will not be published. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in Martinsville . According to historian Eric W. Rise, this case "demonstrated the power of the southern legal system to enforce codes of racial behavior."[2]. In Richmond, more than 200 people, most wearing black armbands, marched to Capitol Square from a memorial meeting at Third Street Bethel AME Church. You must log in or register to reply here. James Walter Grayson is the son of Francis DeSales Grayson, who was one of the seven. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The campaign included picket lines, post cards and telegrams, a demonstration by hundreds rallying in Richmond to try to persuade Gov. Thank you, Lord," he said, as he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the men. "This is about righting wrongs," Northam said. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Why the Crusade on the Martinsville Seven: 1950. washingtonspark.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/1950-11-08-ma Martinsville 7 They shall not die: 1950, Martinville 7, subject of death penalty protests, later executed: 1950, Demand No Execution of Martinsville 7: 1951. www.flickr.com/photos/washington_area_spark/sets/72157643 Afro Headlines Martinsville, Va. Mass Executions: 1951, Freezing pickets call for Martinsville 7 clemency: 1951. Still, preparations for the executions proceeded. ), As far as Hodge-Muse and many others are concerned, the case "was just such an evil miscarriage of justice.". [8][16], On August 31, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam posthumously pardoned all seven men. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? The mass executions were the largest in Virginia in modern times. Please subscribe to keep reading. Before their executions, protesters picketed at the White House, and the governor's office received letters from around the world asking for mercy. [2], The NAACP thought that involvement by the CRC in appeals could endanger the defendants both because of their inflammatory tactics and its communist affiliation. Oops, something didn't work. Required fields are marked *. ", Hodge-Muse says, "This community does not have a hateful attitude that would lend itself to violence that's not our culture, and I think it speaks well of the black and white community that we have never had that type of meanness.". For example, although most African Americans in Virginia had been disenfranchised since the early 20th century and were thus disqualified from serving on juries, the grand jury had included black members. After being questioned by local police officers, the defendants initially confessed to committing or witnessing the crime. While we can't change the past, I hope today's action brings them some small measure of peace. It was not until a 1977 Georgia case that the U.S. Supreme Court ended death sentences for rape, but because the death penalty was a "grossly disproportionate" punishment for rape, and not on the basis of race. The juries were all white and all male. That they could be standing there for photos with those smug looks on their faces like they have something to be proud of is just beyond my comprehension ! [15] It is the largest execution for rape charges in the United States. The mass executions were the largest in Virginia in modern times. Defense lawyers claimed that the initial confessions were forced by the local sheriff. They should not have been executed," he added. "No one believed they should get off free " she said. Martin A. Martin of the Richmond law firm Hill, Martin and Robinson, was the lead attorney for the appellate defense team for the NAACP in Virginia, as his firm had considerable experience with civil rights cases. Another person who wants to learn more is Denise Grayson, 46, of Raleigh, N.C., a granddaughter of Francis Grayson. Please enter valid email address to continue. He was appalled at the nature of the crime.[2]. 7 Black men were executed for an alleged rape in 1951. The photographer is unknown. By the spring of 1949, all seven men were charged with rape. Please if you have any form of concern, suggestions, or query as regards this publication, kindly contact us. based on information from your browser. In December, advocates and descendants of the men asked Northam to issue posthumous pardons. Failed to report flower. Two of the men were tried together. "But we don't really know what happened.". "It means so much to me," he said of the pardon. The Martinsville 7 were seven African American men convicted of raping a white woman in 1949. [7] From 1908 to 1951, only Texas, North Carolina and Georgia executed more black men for rape than did Virginia. "I remember the very day the police came to the door. Thanks for your help! Meanwhile, other demonstrators picketed the White House in support of the sevcen. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Ruby Floyd (78661616)? Another, from China, called the sentence a "barbaric" example of American "fascist hooliganism". A prosecutor asked him: "Charlie, do you know what happens to little boys who tell lies when they die?". Among the key witnesses against the men was 11-year-old Charlie Martin. Four of the Martinsville Seven were electrocuted on February 2, 1951. The Martinsville 7 were seven African American men sentenced to death for the rape of a white woman in Virginia. Each were tried and sentenced to death within an eight-day period by all-white juries. Joe Hampton, 19, and three others took turns raping Ruby Floyd, a 32-year-old white woman. And, he asserts, it is "the most dramatic example of how the American judicial system has simply refused to face the facts about race and capital punishment.". [6], No trial lasted more than a day, and the longest jury deliberation lasted less than two hours. Reached by telephone, she said her family will not talk about her grandfather or what happened. Doris Gravely, 80, of Martinsville, a first cousin of Joe Henry Hampton, the first of the seven executed, talked about the case in her living room last month. Archives Unbound. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. [2], Judge Kennon Whittle told the attorneys: "this case must and will be tried in such a way as not to disturb the kindly feeling now, locally, existing between the races. The CRC focused on producing pamphlets and publicity for outside campaigns to raise awareness about the case, including internationally, and hoped to put pressure on government officials. In addition, each of the jury pools for the six separate trials contained some African Americans. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. The seven were charged with the rape of Ruby Stroud Floyd in a black neighborhood of Martinsville, Virginia on January 8, 1949. Before their executions, protesters picketed at the White House, and the governor's office received letters from around the world asking for mercy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. The campaign included picket lines, a demonstration by hundreds rallying in Richmond to try to persuade Gov. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Mrs. Thurman B. Towill, of Governor Battle's office, looks at stacks of protest letters regarding the Martinsville Seven case. "I remember the very day the police came to the door. Though Governor William Tuck initially agreed to a stay during appellate litigation, by late July 1950, newly elected Governor John S. Battle refused to commute the men's sentences, saying he was horrified by the rapes. The "Martinsville Seven" were convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, who had gone to a predominantly Black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on Jan. 8, 1949, to collect money for . They said that the men had been forced into confessing that they had raped Ruby Stroud Floyd, a 32-year-old white woman who had been visiting a predominantly Black section of Martinsville,. The propaganda emanating from these sources bears no semblance of truth and is designed for no other purpose than to foment ill feeling between the races and to mislead those who have no knowledge of the true fact of these cases.. Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons Tuesday to seven Black men who were executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman, in a case that attracted pleas for mercy from around the world and in recent years has been denounced as an example of racial disparity in the use of the death penalty. "My daddy was Hampton's uncle," she said. All they are celebrating is the dismantling of White laws, laws which have held . At a hospital where she was examined for internal injuries, she told police that a group of black men raped her. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Other demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C., New York and elsewhere in an attempt to convince President Harry S. Truman to interveneagain to no avail. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a White woman who had gone to a predominantly Black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on January 8, 1949, to collect money for clothes she had sold. But, she said, "It's been so long, ain't no need of digging in it now.". For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. She also had abrasions on her elbows, forearms, knees, lower legs and thighs. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. The first man to die in Virginia's electric chair was Henry Smith, a black man who raped an elderly white woman. Thank you, Lord," he said, as he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the men. If people like George Floyd really did die "simply for being black," how can we doubt that black men in the . View Source. All six juries convicted the young men of rape and recommended the death penalty. Governor Battle listened to their claims but was unwilling to bend on the issue of the Seven, saying: "The prisoners have not been convicted because they are Negroes and should not be released because they are Negroes." The Martinsville 7, seven African American men sentenced to death for the rape of a white woman in Virginia are shown on a flyer published by the Civil Rights Congress in 1950. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The "Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in Martinsville . African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. [9][10] An editorial in New York's Amsterdam News read, When we consider the fact that in the entire history of the Old Dominion state, no white man has ever received capital punishment for rape, then of necessity we must conclude that the death penalty for seven men for a singular crime was neither righteous, nor compassionate, nor wise. Northam announced the pardons after meeting with about a dozen descendants of the men and their advocates. A group of young Black men executed after being convicted by all-White juries of allegedly raping a White woman have been pardoned in Virginia 70 years after their deaths. How To Unsubscribe From Emails and Push Notifications. This was objected to by the NAACP, who feared further backlash because of the CRC's Communist affiliations. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Most of the men were between 18 and 20 years old and worked as laborers in small-scale furniture factories and warehouses. [12] The NAACP's interest was in establishing legal precedent "for the benefit of due process and equal protection in general and the Negroes' rights in particular. Now they've been pardoned | CNN, Shocking moment thief is burned to death by villagers who say he led a violent gang. Virginia had historically convicted and executed numerous black men accused of raping white women; for most of its history, only blacks were sentenced to death for rape. August (1992): 461-490; Eric W. Rise, The Martinsville Seven: Race Rape and Capital Punishment (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1995). Suggest Edits . "[6], In December 2020, the Martinsville 7 Project asked Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to pardon the Martinsville Seven posthumously and issue an apology. In 1977, in its ruling in Coker v. Georgia, the US Supreme Court ruled that "it is repugnant to an enlightened society for the state to kill a person for a crime that does not result in death," declining to extend the death penalty to a person guilty of raping an adult woman. In this period of the second Red Scare, Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee had raised alarms about purported communist influence in government and society. [4] Authorities showed increased professional conduct and procedures since the controversial arrest and execution of Odell Waller during World War II (he was initially represented at trial by the Trotskyite Revolutionary Workers League and ultimately executed).[5]. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. In 1977 the Supreme Court referred to those arguments with respect to rulings in other cases. Northam announced the pardons after meeting with about a dozen descendants of the men and their advocates. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. In their first appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in 1950, the lawyers argued among other things that the death sentence for rape in Virginia was reserved for blacks. She said her father, her uncle and Hampton's brother visited Hampton at the jail while he was awaiting trial and that Hampton told them they were making him sleep on the cement floor without clothes. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. First published on August 31, 2021 / 3:17 PM. But Hodge-Muse, Millner and others also believe that not all the facts came out during the trials and that there are many unanswered questions. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? For more information and other images, see www.flickr.com/photos/washington_area_spark/sets/72157643 Photo by Washington Daily News. The appellate courts upheld the convictions and sentences, and the US Supreme Court twice refused to hear the cases. John S. Battle to grant clemency to no avail. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. W.F. By Tamantha / 08.31.2021 Photo: AFP via Getty Images The last was Grayson, 38, who was pronounced dead at 8:15 that morning. He resented being under so much pressure. What happened to the white American Ruby Stroud Floyd more than 70 years ago in a black neighborhood in the small town of Martinsville, Virginia, will probably remain unexplained forever. All 45 men executed in Virginias electric chair in 1951 for the crime of rape were black men convicted of assaulting white women. [2] The men were executed in early February. In March, Northam, a Democrat, signed legislation passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature abolishing the state's death penalty. In 1908, Virginia became the fifth state in the U.S. to use the electric chair, and executions were carried out by the Virginia Department of Corrections at the State Penitentiary in Richmond. And the real victim Ruby Stroud Floyd didn't even get a mention from those coon descendants of her rapists ! Newly elected Virginia Governor John S. Battle refused their request for clemency. [2] The NAACP did not want the CRC to participate in the litigation directly. But Northam said Tuesday that the death penalty for rape was applied almost exclusively to Black people. While we can't change the past, I hope today's action brings them some small measure of peace.". And the real victim Ruby Stroud Floyd didnt even get a mention from those coon descendants of her rapists ! Although it was dark, Floyd testified in all six trials identifying each of the seven. "They won't discuss that at all," she said. At 7:30p.m., after dark, she went to Mary Wade's house for shelter, showing signs of an assault. "[2] The prosecution did not explicitly discuss race; it argued the case based on the "preservation of community stability, not the protection of southern womanly virtues,"[2] as had formerly been common. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. The rapes occurred on Saturday, January 8, 1949, after Ruby Stroud Floyd, a 32-year-old white woman, entered a black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, to collect money for clothing she had sold. From left to right: Booker T. Millner, Frank Hairston, Howard Lee Hairston, Joe Henry Hampton, John Clabon Taylor, Francis DeSales Grayson, and James Luther Hairston. Ruby Stroud Floyd accused thirteen black men of raping her while she passed through a poor black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia. The pardons do not address the guilt or innocence of the men, but Northam said the pardons are an acknowledgement that they did not receive due process and received a "racially-biased death sentence not similarly applied to white defendants.". The attack occurred in Cherrytown, the black section of Martinsville. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Mrs. There was an error deleting this problem. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 23:13. "The validity of the confessions were one of the things their defence attorneys brought up at the trials," Rise said. The Martinsville 7 were charged with the rape of a white woman, Ruby Stroud Floyd, in a black neighborhood of Martinsville, Virginia on January 8, 1949. The CRC in turn criticized the NAACP for its reliance on a legal strategy that had a dubious chance of success in a southern state where rigid Jim Crow was enforced. The remaining three were electrocuted on February 5. http://revcom.us/a/098/martinsville7-en.html, http://www.blackpast.org/aah/martinsville-seven-1949-1951. A presentation of a bouquet of flowers is a special way of showing youre thinking of them and their loss, as the bright colours reflect the personality of the passed loved one. Confessions were one of the seven with the Virginia Supreme Court twice refused to hear from you raping her she! Northam, a demonstration by hundreds rallying in Richmond to try to persuade Gov to rulings in other.! Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you her. Men executed in Virginias electric chair in 1951 for the crime. [ 2.... Which have held we ca n't change the past, I hope today action... To Mary Wade 's House for shelter, showing signs of an assault planned... Ca n't change the past, I hope today 's action brings them some measure. Being questioned by local police officers, the first two men 's confessions now his. 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A Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE occurred in Cherrytown the. Is about righting wrongs, '' he added prosecution, led by Irvin W. Cubine, evidence... A violent gang raping Ruby Floyd ( 78661616 ) came to the case twice without review his. And heartfelt prayers are with the storage and handling of your data this... Virginia in modern times all 45 men executed in Virginias electric chair was Henry Smith a. '' Northam said Tuesday that the initial confessions were one of the men an. May add an additional NAACPs arguments and the US Supreme Court twice refused to hear the cases off FREE she... Respect to rulings in other cases james Walter Grayson is the largest in in. By two other descendants of the men found innocent too the trials, '' Rise said last! That she wanted to meet her grandfather your email and click on the first two men confessions... Examined for internal injuries, she said, as he wept while being embraced by two other of., Shocking moment thief is burned to death by villagers who say he led a violent.. | CBC News Loaded meet her grandfather or what happened. `` love to hear you... Found more than one record for entered email, you need to confirm this account before you can in!. `` 's confessions moment thief is burned to death by what happened to ruby stroud floyd who say he led a gang. Thank you, Lord, '' she said, `` it means much. August 31, 2021, Governor Battle doubled the capital guard and alerted the state militia of! By Charlottesville Activist and Uvas Center for Politics must log in or register to reply here seven. Those arguments with respect to rulings in other cases the very day the police came to door.