Melissa DeVelvis

The Death of Democracy: The Hamburg Massacre of 1876.

History EN ↓ 5 episodes

On July 8, 1876, a white mob surrounded the all-black state militia of Hamburg, South Carolina. The next day, seven men were dead. Months later, Reconstruction ended in South Carolina. No one was ever charged for these crimes in what became the death of democracy on America's centennial. Now, the Hamburg-Carrsville African American Heritage District is commemorating those who died on the 150th Anniversary of the Massacre. You can learn more by visiting bit.ly/rememberinghamburg

Author

Melissa DeVelvis

Episodes

Descendants: Wayne O'Bryant 03.07.2026 42:10

Wayne O'Bryant is the descendant of Needham O'Bryant, a resident of Hamburg who testified in both the coroner's inquest and the Senate Investigation about the Hamburg Massacre. O'Bryant is also descended from Thomas McKie Meriwether, the one white man to die during the massacre. Here, Mr. O'Bryant is interviewed by Marsha Harris, Ed. D., and Melissa DeVelvis, Ph. D. Learn more at ⁠⁠bit.ly/remember...

Descendants: Christopher Gardner 30.06.2026 32:42

Christopher Gardner is the descendant of John Gardner, a minister of Providence Baptist Church, veteran of the 33rd U.S.C.T., and representative in the South Carolina legislature. He was also the mayor of Hamburg when the massacre occurred. Mr. Gardner is interviewed by Marsha Harris, Ed. D., and Melissa DeVelvis, Ph. D. Learn more at ⁠⁠bit.ly/rememberinghamburg⁠ This episode was recorded in the P...

Wayne O'Bryant on Remembering Hamburg 26.06.2026 16:14

Historian and author Wayne O'Bryant talks with Dr. DeVelvis about Hamburg, Reconstruction, and how current commemoration efforts began. To learn more, visit ⁠bit.ly/rememberinghamburg⁠ This episode was recorded in the Pamplin Television, Cinema, and Podcasting Lab on the Summerville Campus with the help of Jasmine Garcia. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers a...

Descendants: Frederick Morton 26.06.2026 38:46

Minister Frederick Morton is the descendant of Pompey Currey, who was one of the men rounded up for the "Dead Ring" during the Hamburg Massacre. He survived, and Morton is here to tell his story. Here, Minister Morton is interviewed by Marsha Harris, Ed. D., and Melissa DeVelvis, Ph. D. Learn more at ⁠bit.ly/rememberinghamburg⁠ This episode was recorded in the Pamplin Television, Cinema, and Podca...

The Death of Democracy: The Hamburg Massacre of 1876 23.06.2026 43:44

In this episode, Dr. Melissa DeVelvis tells the story of the Hamburg Massacre, its aftermath, and its memory. You can learn more about the Hamburg-Carrsville African American Heritage District's commemoration events by visiting ⁠ bit.ly/rememberinghamburg⁠ This episode was recorded in the Pamplin Television, Cinema, and Podcasting Lab on the Summerville Campus with the help of Jasmine Garcia. It w...