Groundbreaking African-American educator. In 1823 he graduated from Middlebury College, making him the first black person in America to receive a college degree. He was a teacher and was also licensed to preach. In 1836 he became pastor of Brownington’s Congregational church and principal of the Orleans County Grammar School. To cope with school expansion he designed and built Athenian Hall, which is today part of the Old Stone House entry on the National Register of Historic Districts. He won a Vermont House seat in 1836, becoming the first African-American to serve in a state legislature.  He taught in Canada from 1847 to 1853, and then returned to his school in Brownington.  He served as headmaster until he was felled by a stroke in 1855, after which his health deteriorated until his death.  Although the gravestone appears to give the birth date as Sept. 23, 1795, other sources give the date as Sept. 26 of the same year. (bio by: Bill McKern)  Family links:  Spouse:  Mercy Ladd Merrill Twilight (1805 – 1878)* *Calculated relationship Inscription:The gospel he long preached, was my support in affliction, my sure hope in death.