On July 4, 1898, Dr. Pope (far left) enlisted as a first lieutenant and assistant surgeon in the Third North Carolina Regiment during the Spanish-American War, an all-Black unit commanded by a Black officer.

The Third North Carolina Regiment during the Spanish-American War, an all-Black unit commanded by a Black officer, ca. 1898 photograph.

Left to right are Assistant Surgeon 1st Lieutenant Dr. M. T. Pope, Chief Surgeon Major James Elmer Dellinger, and right, Assistant Surgeon 1st Lieutenant Marcus W. Alston. Dellinger has his arms crossed and Pope and Alston are holding their swords or bayonets.

Source: Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
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Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope
Birth Date: 1858
Birthplace: Northampton County or Bertie County, NC
Places of Residence: Henderson, NC, Raleigh, NC
Mother: Permelia Phoebe Hall Pope (1829–1889)
Father: Jonas Elias Pope (1827–1913)
Education: Shaw University - Leonard Medical School
Spouse: Lydia Walden Pope - 1887 until her death 1906; Delia Haywood Phillips Pope - 1907
Children: Ruth P. Pope, Evelyn B. Pope
Died: November 13, 1934
Died Where: Raleigh, N.C.
Affiliations: Widow's Son Lodge No. 4