Holtzclaw, Stanford
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Holtzclaw, Stanford
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Born into slavery, Stanford Holtzclaw worked at Davidson College as a college janitor during the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras until his death in 1913.
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Stanford Holtzclaw was born into slavery in 1855 in North Carolina. He was enslaved by Lewis Holdsclaw. As a slave, he was not able to read or write and performed agricultural labor. After emancipation, he acquired an education.
Holtzclaw began working as a college servant (an early title for janitors) at Davidson College. After many years of working there, he became the head of all African American janitors. His responsibilities included delegating tasks to other African American employees, waking up students, and bringing coal to the library. Students mentioned Holtzclaw in their publications. One 1930 Davidsonian article recalled Holtzclaw for having the important responsibility of carrying notes from the President’s Office. Another 1950 Davidsonian article discussed how he and other African American employees cleaned the dormitories and other campus buildings and lit the rooms with oil lamps. Holtzclaw is one of the African American employees profiled in 1895 Quips and Cranks group photograph of college servants.
Outside of the college, Holtzclaw married Hannah Holtzclaw. Together, they raised several children and step-children, including Walter M. Johnston and Ida Johnston. After working at Davidson College for over three decades, Holtzclaw accumulated wealth and left an estate of money and property. His tenure at Davidson College ended with his death on May 1, 1913.
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1855
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May 1, 1913
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“Death Certificate of Stanford Holtzclaw,” in North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates 1909-1976 [database on-line], Ancestry.com (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, Accessed 2025).
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“Death Certificate of Hannah Holtzclaw,” in North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates 1909-1976, [database on-line], Ancestry.com (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, Accessed 2025).
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“Will of Stanford Holtzclaw,” in “North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998,” [database on-line], Ancestry.com (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, Accessed 2025).
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1895 Quips and Cranks, Davidson College, Davidson, NC.
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Professor E. J. Erwin, “Snapshots The Davidsonian, February 10, 1950, 2.
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Frank L. Jackson, “Views and Observations,” The Davidsonian, March 6, 1930, 5.
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1860 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com
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1880 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com
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1900 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com
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