C-SPAN Cities Tour - Jackson: Alan Huffman "Mississippi in Africa"
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Hear the story of Prospect Hill Plantation and the slaves that migrated to Africa from Alan Huffman author of "Mississippi in Africa." Revolutionary War Veteran Isaac Ross moved to the Mississippi Territory in 1808 with a large group of slaves and free blacks and established Prospect Hill. Once there, he helped the free blacks purchase land and ran the plantation with an egalitarian mind set. As he approached the last few years of his life, Ross wanted to free all of his slaves, however, that was illegal under Mississippi law. So instead, Ross arranged it so that at the time of his daughter's death, Prospect Hill would be sold and the money was to be used to pay the way for the slaves to migrate to Liberia where a free colony was being established by the American Colonization Society during the 1840s. "Mississippi in Africa" tells the story of the group of slaves that migrated to Liberia, the life they lead while there and the connection to the civil war that broke out in Liberia during the 1990s.
This is a story that needs to be a PBS documentary. I remember hearing my mother tell the story of my great great grandparents migrating to Liberia from Louisiana in 1863 I think. They eventually came back to the U.S., though because my great great grandfather's father was dying and he wanted to see him one last time. I guess if he hadn't come back I wouldn't have been born, so it all worked out at least for me.
How interesting is that!!! Oh wow...I am a Ross...well my mother was a Ross but to actually see this on youtube from a stranger after hearing about this throughout my life from my family is mind blowing!!! Of course stories water down throughout the generations but to actually see how this wonderful man has done such an extensive amount of research on my immediate history/family and I have learned so much from him. His research has completed the missing pieces to our puzzle! My grandfather name was William Nathaniel Ross and my mother name was Matilda Ross and we are from Liberia, West Africa...all my life I used to ask why do I have such an american name to be (born) from Liberia West Africa, why are my features not as prominent as other Liberians, why do most or all of my family members have american names, Anna Ross, Nathan Ross, Nathaniel Ross, Matilda Ross, and of course my name is Constance...this so interesting...I cannot wait for my sisters retreat to the Prospect Hill Plantation next year...I am so amused!!!
Sosie Monk My name is Wade as well and I am from Mississippi. That slave owners last name was Ross Wade. I have studied a lot about Liberian history and to find that many were from my state bearing my name is incredible. I always knew there was an undeniable closeness with the Américo Liberians, their speech, their ways and customs. Deep stuff right here! I just bought the audiobook by this gentleman. I would always say to Liberians the history that I knew and they’d be shocked than a Black American had any knowledge of this and it is a shame that most of Black Americans have no clue of this history.
I just learning the history of Liberia and how I fit into this. My last name was Brown n like you I wondered why I didn't have an african name or look african. I really need to know if I am indigenous or Americo Liberian. My father never shared any family history before passing.My new found blood brother who is in Liberia let me know that our fore fathers was from Sinoe so I started doing my research which is hard because I'm in America. If anyone knows about the Brown family that was in this area long ago please help me with my many unanswered questions.
Hello Sosie Monk,
If I had the means, I will love to do a DNA test to see if there is any degree of relatedness.
I am also related to the Rose via my paternal grandmother. Her ancestors emigrated to Liberia in 1849 on a ship called Huma.
Newsom from Virginia here, a theory is that our family's emancipated slaves gained the "e" at the end of their last name to represent emancipation.
I had two grandmothers, one black, one white and I will be forever grateful for being as culture as I am.
Am from. Mississippi married to a west African thanks for this story I love it
This is a great book. It answered a few questions for me.
I just order Alan Huffman book. I hope to find some gems in it. I am also from Mississippi in Africa (Today called Sinoe county) My paternal grandmother is related to the Ross who also emigrated to Liberia. My grandmother fouth removed emigrated on the ship Huma in 1849 and settled in Greenville. In Sinoe county we have places call Lousiana, Lexington, and Farmerville. It is believed that she came from Mississippi or Augusta George. My grandmother's name is Lydia Witherspoon (née Lydia Turner). Her mother's name was Rebecca Turner ( née Jameslock). Rebecca Jameslock grandmother and grandfather were on the ship Huma that arrived in 1849 bringing in about 160 emigrates from the USA.
Rebecca Jameslock sister married one Joseph J. Ross who later served as 3 times senator of Sinoe, Vice President of Liberia and Attorney General of Liberia. The small port of Greenville is named after his son Samuel Alfred Ross who also served as a senator and Attorney General of Liberia. The Ross family is still in Greenville. Samuel A. Ross the third who is still alive used to refer to my granny as couz. or cousin. Samuel A. Ross the third is my grandmother Lydia Witherspoon aunty's grandchild.
The plantation-style houses can still be seen in Greenville today. They are referred to as Congau or Congo houses (Congau is the term used to refer to those who emigrated from the USA. Americo-Liberian is another name.)
This is all so very interesting. I'm truly blown away. I had no idea.
Are there plans to restore , or recreate this historical house?
Liberia!
Love this story.
Just read the book. Fascinating.