Angeline Rucker Washington
Born: April 1837
Died: 1904
Angeline Washington was a person of color enslaved by George Park. She was freed in the 1850s and was married to William Washington in 1855. William and Angeline were married in the old Presbyterian Church in Parkville, Mo. Although marriages between African Americans were illegal in Missouri, the Reverend George Woodward married them anyway.
They had eight children:
- Howard (1856–1902)
- Otis Webb (1858–1921)
- Eliza Malinda (1861–1897)
- William Henry (1864–1943)
- James "Jim" (1866–1949)
- Mary (1870–1928)
- George (1872–1941)
- Anna Louise (1875–1935)
The Washington’s resided on one acre of land, known as the William Washington Homestead, one-and-one half miles east of Parkville (a short distance east of present-day Ward Road where it branches off from Coffey Road). George Park deeded the property to the Washingtons in 1886. The property included a house and stable, space for a garden and fruit trees.
By 1895, the Washingtons moved into Parkville – thought to be where the current police station is in what we now know as downtown Parkville.
Because of the time during which their children were born, most of the Washington children did not have an opportunity for an education. However, many of the Washington grandchildren attended one or both of the Banneker schools.
Angeline Washington sought and was accepted for membership in the Parkville Presbyterian Church, pioneering religious freedom, diversity and educational opportunity for children of color in this area.
In fact, Angeline and William Washington then became enshrined charter members for founding Washington Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church in 1870. In March 1907, the first services were held at Washington Chapel, which still stands today. The church was dedicated in June 1907 to be named Washington Chapel in honor of William and Angeline.
The committee wanted to express the story of Angeline through this perspective – the perspective of her life as an enslaved woman owned by George Park to a freed woman who married, owned land, had children, pioneered educational and religious opportunity and bonded a community.
