Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Government, People

Location

204 Chamberlain St, Albion, NY, USA

Lat/Long

43.2432811, -78.1905749

Grant Recipient

Albion Central School

Throughout his youth, Henry A. Spencer lived in Albion, NY. His mother, Martha, purchased this house in 1881 for $800, and his parents, siblings, and his siblings’ children lived here for several decades. Although there is no record of Henry living at this address, it is very likely that he visited his family here. From 1881 to 1885, Henry boarded at various locations in Rochester, NY while he attended the University of Rochester. He was noted as one of the earliest African American students admitted to the university and was an active member of the student body. It is unclear whether his degree was ultimately conferred.

After completing his studies, Henry worked as a waiter and a porter. In his capacity as President of the Douglass League, he endorsed political candidates as well as encouraged voting among African American residents. In 1895, he served as a delegate for the Colored Voters’ League of New York convention in Saratoga. The following year, he was a pallbearer for Frederick Douglass’s public funeral in Rochester. In 1897, Henry was appointed as a clerk, or “messenger to the Speaker,” for the New York State Assembly in Albany, a position he held for 35 years until his retirement. While he worked in Albany, his primary residence remained in Rochester, where he later died on September 25, 1935. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

As of 2022, the marker commemorating Henry A. Spencer stood outside of his parents’ home at 204 Chamberlain Street, which remained a private residence.