Uncrowned Community Builders

Henry Moxley, escaped from slavery in his home state of Virginia and found his way to Buffalo, New York where he became an influential activist. Moxley's name can be found in the first Buffalo City Directory of 1832, one of a group of "free men of color" listed in the Directory.

Moxley, who was born circa 1809 was a businessman, who opened his own barber shop in 1839. He became a deacon of the A.M.E. Zion Church and was a principal organizer of the 1843 National Convention of Colored Men, which was held in Buffalo. It was reported in the Buffalo Republic newspaper that on October 3, 1850 Henry Moxley was in attendance and elected Vice President, along with others, during a meeting of colored citizens in which resolutions were passed against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Moxley's activism extended to the Buffalo City School system. Basing his argument on the Fourteenth Amendment which stated that, "no state can deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Moxley led a group of Black parents in a meeting with the School Committee of the Buffalo Common Council to argue that the segregated Vine Street African School violated their rights. The parents argued that the school was poorly equipped and in poor structural condition. In addition, they pointed out that many children had to travel long distances from their homes in order to attend the African School.

The parents petitioned to have their children attend other schools on Buffalo's East side. When the Council ignored their plea, Moxley and the others enrolled 18 of their children in two other East Side schools. However, the Buffalo Common Council had the children sent back to the Vine Street African School and Moxley and the parents sued the Superintendent and the School Committee of the Common Council. The suit was thrown out of court in 1868. The schools were finally integrated in 1872 but the Vine Street African School remained open until 1881.

It appears that Moxley was married twice. The 1850 Census identifies, Elizabeth, also from Virginia as his wife. She was 40 years old according to the census and Henry was 42. They had two children, Margaret, aged 13 and William, aged 11. By the 1870 census, Henry, aged 62 was married to 37-year-old Katherine or Kathie. Their children were Louisa, aged 10, Anna, aged 9, Yela, aged 7 and "H. Dur" who is probably Henry aged 4. By 1880, 14-year-old Henry is working as a bell boy. Other Moxley children in the 1880 census included Serena, 19, Florence, 17 and Ulysses, 9.

Forest Lawn Cemetery has burial records for the following Moxleys. All are buried in the lot owed by Henry: Catherine, 4/5/1893; John, 5/19/1872; Kate Anna, 12/26/1871 and Ulysses, 10/8/1952 at the age of 82. Ulysses' burial permit identifies Henry as his father.

Henry Moxley died on December 21, 1878 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.