In order for African Americans to have access to medical facilities, the African American citizens of Alexandria, Virginia felt they had to raise money to contribute to the new hospital. In 1917, the Colored Citizens Association contributed to the new Alexandria Hospital to set aside two Colored hospital wards for their needs.
They raised and contributed the sum of $357.30 to the trustees of the new Alexandria Hospital. This money was for furnishing two wards in the building for the accommodation of colored patients. The Association hoped to increase the total amount to $500 if possible. The contributions were:
City Churches:
Alfred Street Baptist $34.20
Third Baptist $31.52
Roberts M. E. Chapel $31.15
Meade P.E. Chapel $18.60
Zion Baptist $17.35
Ebenezer Baptist $13.25
Shiloh Baptist $12.50
Mount Jezebel(Jezeel) Baptist $5.00
Beulah Baptist $2.00
Rural Churches:
Gum Spring Baptist $36.00
Woodlawn M.E. $10.00
Gunston Baptist $7.90
Franconia Baptist $5.57
Seminary Baptist $5.50
Lodges:
Elks $10.00
Naomi Household of Ruth $10.00
Lancaster Lodge Odd Fellows $10.00
Lincoln Lodge of Masons $5.00
Acacia Lodge of Masons $4.00
W.N. Jackson (Business Mens League) $5.00
District Solicitors:
Mrs. Maria V Simpkins $33.00
Mrs. Rachel Truatt $7.45
Mrs. Effie Tancil $1.05
S. A. Tucker and Marcellus White $40.10
B.F. Watson $5.75
F.H. Rich $4.90
Public Col. March 6, 1917 $.61
Public Col. March 13, 1917 $.70
Total: $368.10
Disbursements:
Printing, stationery and postage $10.80
Net balance $357.30
theotheralexandria 
Char and Fran, this is so exciting! I can’t wait to dig in and start reading your research. It’s so exciting to see my grandmother’s picture at the top. Can’t wait to learn more about my family through your blog. Thank you!
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Thanks Kelli for your response. Which one is your grandmother?
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My grandmother is Ellen Carter
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Thanks Kelli. I have been working with Fran Nelson Burton on the Carter family for the last couple of years. Thanks again!
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Char
The information on the Colored Ward at Alexandria Hospital is yet another example of our stories in Alexandria. The belief that furnishing the Ward was necessary had to be so real for so many to donate. Those dollars at that time were a significant amount of money.
Like many, I have heard stories about our people being treated in the hallways because there was no more space in the wards. I don’t want to even think about what it may have been like without the contributions of those churches, organizations and individuals on this list.
I simply cannot thank you enough for how you have enriched us through your tireless research.
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Thanks Fran! I am learning Alexandria’s history as I research for information to post on my site.
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You are doing a wonderful job uncovering and bringing to life stories that remind us of how it once was.
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Thanks Dave! Pam has asked me to start back on the Alexandria Freedmen Descendant Project.
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