Southern enslavement

Introduction

The Southern United States, especially states like Mississippi and Georgia, were the epicenter of slavery in America. The economy of the South, and indeed the entire nation, was heavily reliant on the labor of enslaved people. At the peak of the antebellum period, the value of enslaved individuals far exceeded the value of all other assets in the South combined. The labor of the enslaved not only fueled the wealth of the Southern economy but also significantly impacted the economies of Europe and elsewhere in the world by reducing the cost of commodities like cotton.

It’s important to note that the white race was the first to institutionalize slavery on the basis of race, inventing racism to facilitate its acceptance among the broader population. They created and systematized some of the most brutal methods of torture and exploitation, unlike any other race. Moreover, the history of white colonization is marked by the spread of disease and famine, causing suffering on an unprecedented scale.

The Early Lives of Wiley J. Strickland and Dinah Hawkins

Wiley J. Strickland and Dinah Hawkins were born into slavery in Georgia. Wiley, born in 1856 in Madison, and Dinah, born in 1860, also in Georgia, grew up under the harsh conditions of enslavement. These plantations were large estates where cotton was the primary crop, and the labor was grueling.

Possible Enslavers and Plantations:

– **Wiley J. Strickland** was likely enslaved on a plantation in Madison, Georgia, possibly by the Strickland family in the area. Specific details about the plantation are scarce, but there were several Strickland plantations in Georgia. One notable plantation is the Cobbham Plantation in Madison County, which had connections to the Strickland family. The plantation has since been demolished, and the land is now part of the University of Georgia campus.

  – **Visual Representation**: Historical photos and documents related to the Cobbham Plantation can be found at the [Digital Library of Georgia](https://dlg.usg.edu).

  – **Current Address**: University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.

Other Possible Enslavers:

– The 1860 Slave Schedules show multiple Strickland families in Madison County, Georgia, who were brutal enslavers, including John Strickland and James Strickland.

Possible Enslavers and Plantations for Dinah Hawkins:

  – **Dinah Hawkins**, born in Danielsville, Georgia, was likely enslaved on a nearby plantation. Potential Hawkins plantations in the area include those owned by the Hawkins family in nearby counties.

  – **Visual Representation**: Maps of plantations and land ownership in Georgia during that period can be found at the [Digital Library of Georgia](https://dlg.usg.edu).

– The 1860 Slave Schedules list several Hawkins households in Madison County, Georgia, including Thomas Hawkins and William Hawkins, who were brutal enslavers.

A Moment of Liberation:

As the Civil War ended in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent Union victories meant that enslaved individuals were gradually freed. Many, like Wiley and Dinah, learned of their freedom through Union soldiers or local announcements, marking a profound shift in their lives and the beginning of a new, albeit challenging, journey towards autonomy.

Visual Representation:

– Historical photos of plantations and cotton fields in Georgia can be found at the [Digital Library of Georgia](https://dlg.usg.edu).

– Documents announcing emancipation can be viewed at the [National Archives](https://www.archives.gov).

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people that they were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This day is a significant symbol of freedom and the end of slavery in the United States. For many Black families, including ours, Juneteenth is a reminder of the struggle for liberation and the ongoing fight for equality.

Visual Representation:

– Information and historical context about Juneteenth can be found at the [National Museum of African American History and Culture](https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/st

Visual Representation:

– Information and historical context about Juneteenth can be found at the [National Museum of African American History and Culture](https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/celebrating-juneteenth).

Sharecropping: A New Form of Economic Exploitation

How Sharecropping Worked:

After emancipation, many Black people, including Wiley and Dinah, transitioned to sharecropping. Landowners divided plantations into smaller plots and allowed freedmen to work these plots in exchange for a share of the crop, usually cotton. Sharecroppers were often trapped in a cycle of debt due to high-interest rates on supplies and poor crop yields. This system effectively re-enslaved many Black people economically because they had nowhere else to go, no money, and no skills other than agriculture. The Southern economy had collapsed as its greatest financial asset was the enslaved people themselves.

Impact on Ancestors:

Wiley J. Strickland and Dinah Hawkins likely worked as sharecroppers on the same lands where they were enslaved. Moving from Madison to Oglethorpe, Georgia, they struggled under this exploitative system.

Visual Representation:

– [Without Sanctuary](http://withoutsanctuary.org/main.html) provides images of the harsh realities of sharecropping and the oppressive conditions Black people faced.

Reconstruction and Black Lawmakers

Reconstruction (1865-1877) was a period of rebuilding and integration for the Southern states following the Civil War. The federal government implemented measures to protect the rights of newly freed Black people, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau and the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments, granting citizenship and voting rights to Black men. However, with the end of Reconstruction and the withdrawal of federal troops in 1877, Black people were left vulnerable to the resurgence of white supremacy.

During Reconstruction, several Black people served in political office, including Henry McNeal Turner and Alexander Hamilton, who were among the first Black legislators in Georgia. These lawmakers advocated for civil rights and educational opportunities for Black people, providing a brief period of political empowerment.

Visual Representation:

– Images of Black lawmakers during Reconstruction can be found in the [Library of Congress archives](https://www.loc.gov/collections/african-american-perspectives/articles-and-essays/reconstruction/).

The End of Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow

With the end of Reconstruction and the withdrawal of federal troops in 1877, Black people were left vulnerable to the resurgence of white supremacy. Southern states enacted Jim Crow laws to enforce racial segregation, and Confederate monuments were erected throughout the South as symbols of white supremacy. These monuments served as constant reminders of the social order, reinforcing the oppressive environment Wiley and Dinah lived in. White people’s fear of Black power and retribution led to these laws as they sought to reassert their control.

Impact on Ancestors:

Wiley and Dinah would have seen Confederate monuments going up in places like Madison and Oglethorpe, Georgia. These symbols reinforced the oppressive environment they lived in.

Visual Representation:

– Confederate monuments: [EJI’s Confederate Monument Mapping](https://eji.org/reports/online/).

Jack Davenport and Amanda Wilkerson: Life in the South

Jack Davenport and Amanda Wilkerson were born into slavery in Georgia. Jack, born in 1850 in Lexington, and Amanda, born in 1841 in Oglethorpe, faced systemic oppression under the Jim Crow laws. The constant threat of racial violence and economic exploitation significantly impacted their lives.

Life and Work in Georgia:

Jack Davenport worked as a farm laborer and later as a gardener. Amanda Wilkerson worked as a housekeeper. They lived in various locations in Georgia, including Madison and Oglethorpe counties. Their lives were marked by hard work and resilience in the face of systemic racism and economic hardship.

Possible Enslavers and Plantations:

– **Jack Davenport** was likely enslaved on a plantation in Lexington, Georgia. The specific plantation is not clear, but it would have been one of the large cotton plantations typical of the area.

  – **Nearby Plantations**: Potential plantations include those owned by the Cobb and Barrow families in the area. The Cobb plantation was notable in the Lexington area.

– **Amanda Wilkerson** was likely enslaved in Oglethorpe, Georgia. The exact details are scarce, but the area was known for its large cotton plantations.

  – **Nearby Plantations**: Possible plantations include those owned by the Jones and Taylor families in Oglethorpe County.

Other Possible Enslavers:

– The 1860 Slave Schedules show multiple Davenport households in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, who were brutal enslavers, including George Davenport and William Davenport.

Visual Representation:

– Historical photos of rural Georgia can be found at the [Digital Library of Georgia](https://dlg.usg.edu).

Frank and Cecelia Alexander: Life in Mississippi

Early Life and Work:

Frank Alexander and Cecelia Suggs were born in Mississippi in the late 19th century. They lived through the oppressive Jim Crow era, witnessing and experiencing systemic racism and violence.

Life and Work in Mississippi:

Frank Alexander worked as a farm laborer, and Cecelia Suggs worked as a housekeeper. They lived in various locations in Mississippi, including Holly Springs. Their lives were shaped by the agricultural economy and the oppressive racial laws of the South.

Possible Enslavers and Plantations:

– **Frank Alexander** was likely enslaved on a plantation in Holly Springs, Mississippi. The exact plantation is unknown, but it would have been one of the cotton plantations typical of the region.

  – **Nearby Plantations**: Potential plantations include those owned by the McAlexander family and the Alexander family in the Holly Springs area.

– **Cecelia Suggs** was also likely enslaved in Holly Springs, Mississippi. The specific details of her enslavement are unclear, but she would have experienced the same harsh conditions as other enslaved individuals in the area.

  – **Nearby Plantations**: Possible plantations include those owned by the Suggs family in Marshall County, Mississippi.

Other Possible Enslavers:

– The 1860 Slave Schedules show multiple Alexander households in Marshall County, Mississippi, who were brutal enslavers, including Thomas Alexander and John Alexander.

Visual Representation:

– Historical photos of Holly Springs and other areas in Mississippi can be found at the [Mississippi Department of Archives and History](https://www.mdah.ms.gov/).

Slave Uprisings in the South

Throughout the history of slavery in the Southern United States, there were numerous uprisings and acts of resistance by enslaved individuals. These uprisings were driven by the desire for freedom and an end to the brutal conditions of slavery.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion (1831, Virginia)**:

One of the most famous slave uprisings was led by Nat Turner in Virginia. Although it did not occur in Georgia or Mississippi, the rebellion had a significant impact on the entire South, including the regions where our ancestors lived. The fear of similar revolts led to even harsher laws and increased surveillance of enslaved people.

Stono Rebellion (1739, South Carolina):

The Stono Rebellion, one of the earliest and largest slave revolts in the British colonies, took place in South Carolina. This event also influenced the Southern states’ approach to slavery, leading to stricter controls and more severe punishments for those who resisted.

Visual Representation:

– Information and documents about these uprisings can be found at the [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov).

Conclusion

Our family’s history in the Southern United States is a testament to resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of equality. From the early struggles of Jack Davenport and Amanda Wilkerson in Georgia to Frank and Cecelia Alexander in Mississippi, our ancestors endured unimaginable hardships and persevered. The fight for freedom, the harsh realities of sharecropping, and the oppressive Jim Crow laws shaped their lives and experiences. This history is a powerful reminder of their strength and the importance of continuing the fight for justice and equality.

**Note**: This is the format for my migration page for my Southern enslaved ancestors. I will enter more data as I find it and will need the page updated accordingly. The same applies to the Chicago and Lansing migration pages.