First Black Autos

About the Book

The first book to describe the rise from slavery of Charles Richard Patterson. It tells how "C.R." and his family worked and made the transition from building and repairing horse drawn vehicles over to manufacturing what were called horseless carriages.

The story presents unique views of the opportunities and challenges of operating a business and how this family adapted. It gives the reader an idea about what African-American family life was like as it describes some of the conditions governing social relationships in America at a period and time when Blacks were not supposed to be independent or successful. Blacks certainly were not supposed to own a company and/or be employing white workers! The book is about the early automobile industry and it skillfully carries the reader on into the 1900's where C.R. Patterson's grandson, Postell, moved the company into the international market with a sale of three buses to Haiti!

The story informs, teaches and incorporates quite a few interesting and critical threads into the main theme which adds color and gives strength to the tapestry of life for the Pattersons while they live and worked in Greenfield, Ohio.

About the Author

Henry A. May is an educator who, after thirty years of service on many levels, is retired from the New York City School System.

He is a Korean War veteran.

He has two children - a daughter and a son. He has one granddaughter.

Mr. May is the Vice President of the Mount Vernon Parents & Community Forum On Education and is active in the community of Mount Vernon, New York.

He is a board member of the Bronx River & Sound Shore branch of the National Audubon Society.