Alfred Washington

A portrait photograph of Alfred Washington taken by Rufus W. Holsinger in 1915. Reproduced from Jefferson's University.

Alfred Washington was a Black citizen of Charlottesville in the early twentieth century who registered for the draft during World War I.

Biography

Washington was born on December 23, 1895 in Charlottesville. He was the son of Gus and Martha Washington and was a sibling of James Peteroy Washington, Camora Washington, Eblar Washington, and Cleophus Washington. As a young man, he resided in Chestnut Grove and labored as a farmhand under the management of T.C. Eddies.

On May 8, 1915, Washington had his portrait photograph taken by Rufus W. Holsinger. This picture would form a part of the Holsinger Studio Collection.

On June 5, 1917, Washington registered for the World War I draft. In the October 29, 1917 edition of the Daily Progress, he was listed as a Black citizen of the city who had been called up for service. He was later listed in the United States Army Transport Service at the headquarters of the Port of Embarkation in Hoboken, New Jersey. Washington later returned to Virginia and married Fannie Washington in Albemarle County at the age of 24.

Washington died from hemorrhage pulmonary tuberculosis on December 2, 1926. He was buried at Hickory Hill Cemetery in Albemarle County.