Watch Night

Many Washingtonians spent late Monday night and early Tuesday morning at African American churches observing Watch Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration little known outside of the Black community, though a painting of such a prayer meeting by New England artist William Tolman Carlton (above) hangs in the White House.

In 19th century England and America the secular celebration of New Year’s Eve was called “Watch Night” – Winslow Homer’s illustration in the January 5, 1861 Harper’s entitled “The Georgia Delegation in Congress Seeing the Old Year Out “ is subtitled “Watch Night.” The New Year’s Eve religious services called Watch Night developed in the Methodist Church in Britain as an occasion for the Covenant Prayer, through which believers re-commit themselves to God.

Thus it may already have been customary for Black Methodists and Baptists to celebrate Watch Night, but December 31, 1862 had a momentous worldly significance: the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect at midnight. This is why the celebration continues in African American churches today, striking a more joyous note than prior penitential Watch Nights.

The Emancipation Proclamation applied only to slaves of the Confederate States. The prayer meeting congregation depicted in Carlton’s painting consists of “contrabands,” slaves of Confederate owners now in Union-occupied territory. The makeshift pulpit is made of boards salvaged from crates marked “U.S. Sanitary Commission,” the benevolent agency charged with their welfare. The minister’s timepiece reads 11:55.

Carlton’s painting is variously called “Watch Night — Waiting for the Hour” or ” Watch Meeting — Dec. 31st, 1862.” It was sent to President Lincoln by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison in 1864 and also circulated widely as an engraving (below). The painting now hangs in what is called the Lincoln Bedroom, really that president’s study and Cabinet Room, over the desk upon which he signed the Emancipation Proclamation on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, 1862.

The original handwritten draft of the Emancipation Proclamation will be on view New Year’s Day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the National Archives (public entrance near the corner of 9th Street on Constitution Avenue, NW).

Related:

“The Emancipation of Abe Lincoln,” Eric Foner, The New York Times

“150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation,” Presidential Proclamation

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Watch Night

Many Washingtonians spent late Saturday night and early Sunday morning at African American churches observing Watch Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration little known outside of the Black community, though a painting of such a prayer meeting by New England artist William Tolman Carlton (above) hangs in the White House.

In 19th century England and America the secular celebration of New Year’s Eve was called “Watch Night” – Winslow Homer’s illustration in the January 5, 1861 Harper’s entitled “The Georgia Delegation in Congress Seeing the Old Year Out “ is subtitled “Watch Night.” The New Year’s Eve religious services called Watch Night developed in the Methodist Church in Britain as an occasion for the Covenant Prayer, through which believers re-commit themselves to God.

Thus it may already have been customary for Black Methodists and Baptists to celebrate Watch Night, but December 31, 1862 had a momentous worldly significance: the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect at midnight. This is why the celebration continues in African American churches today, striking a more joyous note than prior penitential Watch Nights.

Watch Night

Many Washingtonians spent last Friday night and Saturday morning at African American churches observing Watch Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration little known outside of the black community, even though a painting of such a prayer meeting by New England artist William Tolman Carlton (above) hangs in the White House.

In 19th century England and America the secular celebration of New Year’s Eve was called “Watch Night” – Winslow Homer’s illustration in the January 5, 1861 Harper’s entitled “The Georgia Delegation in Congress Seeing the Old Year Out “ is subtitled “Watch Night.” The New Year’s Eve religious services called Watch Night developed in the Methodist Church in Britain as an occasion for the Covenant Prayer, through which believers re-commit themselves to God.

Civil War Shame in Virginia

 

There is a Civil War scandal in Virginia that has nothing to do with Governor Bob McDonnell. The culprit: Arlington National Cemetery.

1,500 African American soldiers who served in the Union’s U.S. Colored Troops and thousands of freed slaves housed on the Arlington Estate grounds were buried in the cemetery’s Section 27, which was neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair. The cemetery was ordered to correct this shameful situation almost two decades ago.

Cosmetic changes compounded the institutional disrespect, reports Salon‘s Mark Benjamin. 500 graves now lack headstones, previously identified burials are now marked “Unknown,” some graves are misidentified, and records claim that one man is buried in two places. Cemetery Superintendent John C. Metzler, Jr. who told Congress that neglect of Section 27 would be rectified, still holds his position today.

Edible Black History

Rice (Oryza sativa)

Calas (pronounced ca-LA) are fritters made from cooked rice and flour. They were sold in the streets of New Orleans by vendors, women of color, often slaves (who had Sundays free), and remained part of old-time home cooking for many Gulf Coast families of African descent.  The recipe may have been modified in the New World, but the term and concept are said to have been brought to Louisiana by slaves from Ghana.

Watch Night

Many Washingtonians spent Thursday night and Friday morning at African American churches observing Watch Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration little known outside of the black community, even though a painting of such a prayer meeting by New England artist William Tolman Carlton (above) hangs in the White House.

Ben Ali, 1927 — 2009

Ben Ali, founder of U Street landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away last week. He was 82.

Ben’s signature dish is the Chili Half-Smoke sausage, so we celebrate Mr. Ali’s memory with links:

“Ben’s Chili Bowl Founder Passes On,” DCsocialite.com

“Saying Goodbye to a D.C. Legend,”  Two DC

 

“Ben Ali, Founder Of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Dies At 82,” WUSA9.com

 

“Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl Passes,” DC Mumbo Sauce

 

“Rest in Peace, Ben,” Malnurtured Snay

“Obituaries: Ben Ali, Ran iconic D.C. diner, 82,” AP via Philly.com

“He Added Spice to Our Lives,” Washington Post