Black Atheist Witch

William Franklin Draper (USA, 1912-2003)

Studio Aquarium, 1960

Oil on board, 29" W x 25" H (73.7 cm x 63.5 cm)

Thomas Day waged a legal battle to bring his free African-American bride, Virginia-born Aquilla Wilson, to live with him in North Carolina.

Sixty-eight citizens of the town of Milton ask that Aquilla Wilson, a free woman of color of Halifax, Virginia, be exempted from an 1826 North Carolina law "entitled 'An act to prevent free persons of Colour from migrating into this state, for the good government of such persons resident in the State, and for other purposes.'"

They state that Aquilla married Thomas Day, a free man of color whom they describe as a "Cabinet maker by trade, a first rate workman, a remarkably sober, steady and industrious man--, a highminded, good and valuable Citizen." They therefore pray that an act be passed "giving said Aquilla, the priviledge of migrating to this state." In his affidavit, R. M. Saunders avers that said Day is "of very fair character -- an excellent mechanic, industrious, honest and sober in his habits and in the event of any disturbance amongst the blacks I should rely with confidence upon a disclosure from him as ** he is the owner of Slaves as well as of real estate."

Image of Mr. & Mrs. Day