MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A powerful story of resilience, family legacy and African American history will take center stage this spring as the Oaklands Mansion hosts a special community event honoring the life of David Maney, an enslaved blacksmith whose legacy continues to shape the city generations later.
The event, titled David Maney: From Enslavement to Legacy, will be held Saturday, April 18, at 2 pm and is free and open to the public. The presentation will be led by Elma Black McKnight, a retired educator and direct descendant of David Maney, offering a deeply personal and historical perspective on her family’s journey.
Maney, believed to have been born around 1828, was enslaved on the Maney plantation (now known as Oaklands Mansion) where his work as a skilled blacksmith helped sustain the property during its early years. His story is one of countless African Americans whose labor built the foundations of communities across the South, yet whose contributions have often gone unrecognized.
For five generations, the Maney family’s roots have remained firmly planted in Murfreesboro. In a powerful full-circle moment, McKnight now serves on the Oaklands Mansion Board of Trustees—the very site where her ancestor once lived and labored under enslavement. Her role symbolizes both remembrance and progress, bridging past and present through education and storytelling.
The Oaklands property itself carries a layered history. Originally established in the early 1800s by the Maney family, the land was worked by enslaved individuals who were forcibly brought from North Carolina. Over time, the plantation evolved into a Civil War battlefield, later becoming a historic home museum and public park.
Following emancipation, David Maney helped build a life rooted in faith and community. He was among the early leaders of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, one of the city’s earliest African American congregations, and later worked for the railroad before returning to his trade as a blacksmith. His life reflects the broader story of newly freed African Americans striving to establish independence, family stability and community institutions in the aftermath of slavery.
The April 18 event aims not only to educate attendees but also to honor the lives of those who endured slavery and contributed to the region’s growth. Organizers emphasize the importance of preserving and sharing these narratives, particularly as they relate to African American heritage and identity.
Light refreshments will be provided during the event, and no reservations are required. Community members are encouraged to attend, reflect and engage with a story that connects deeply to Murfreesboro’s past and present.
As conversations around history and equity continue nationwide, events like this serve as vital opportunities to ensure that the voices and experiences of African Americans are recognized, remembered and respected.
