Born in New Market, now Chesterville, Henry Highland Garnet lived there with his family until they escaped slavery about 1822-24 and settled in New York City. An abolitionist and activist, Presbyterian minister, teacher, founder of schools, college president, missionary, and diplomat, he was especially known for his oratory. In 1865, celebrating passage of the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, he delivered a public sermon in the House chamber as the first African American to speak in the U.S. Capitol.