The marker honors Abram Colby (1820-1872), one of the Original 33
Greene County African American Museum founder and historian Mamie Hillman and her husband, John Hillman Sr., listen to one of the speakers before the marker is unveiled. LYNN HOBBS/Staff
Part of the attending crowd listen as Mamie Hillman describes the work and people involved in getting the Abram Colby historical marker for Greensboro. LYNN HOBBS/Staff
Greene County African American Museum Board of Directors member Jill Lum, left, and Abram Colby’s granddaughter, Pamela Colby, lead the crowd in an interactive introduction to the program. LYNN HOBBS/Staff
Greer Brigham, researcher and writer of the application for the historical marker, tells what he learned and why the date of unveiling and location of the marker significantly align with Colby’s story. LYNN HOBBS/Staff
Greensboro Mayor Corey Williams says he had the opportunity to run and be elected to political office because of the sacrifice and suffering of men like Abram Colby. LYNN HOBBS/Staff
In 2026, the Georgia Historical Society will install only five new historical markers across the state—one of which was unveiled Sunday on the courthouse lawn in Greensboro.
The marker honors Abram Colby, one of the “Original 33,” the first Black members elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868 during the Reconstruction era. Colby, a Republican state representative, was a lifelong resident o…
