Tuesday, February 18, 2014
[Quick Picks] Black History Month: Mississippi in Africa
MISSISSIPPI IN AFRICA: THE SAGA OF THE SLAVES OF PROSPECT HILL PLANTATION AND THEIR LEGACY IN AFRICA (2004) by Alan Huffman
 I
enjoyed reading this book for many reasons. First of all, I was familiar with
African American slaves going to Liberia in West Africa to start a new
country, but I did not know many slaves from Mississippi went as well. Once
there, they created a province in Liberia called Mississippi and even named
the cities in the province for cities in Mississippi. They also created
replicas of the large plantations they used to work on in America. Secondly,
I enjoyed reading this book because it deals with the story of slave owner
Isaac Ross.
Ross
was Revolutionary War veteran who moved from South Carolina along with his
family and slaves to Southwest Mississippi in the early 1800's. Some of his
slaves who fought along with him in the Revolutionary War were freed after
the war and moved with him as well to Mississippi. Isaac Ross put in his will
that his slaves be given the option of receiving their freedom and sent to
Liberia, Africa, or remaining in Mississippi.
Upon
his death, his children and family contested the will. A court battle ensued
and the Mississippi state legislature had to get involved. The court battle
lasted ten years. During that time the slaves which knew they were supposed
to be freed became restless and revolted. They burned down Prospect Hill
Plantation. Once granted their freedom in 1850, most chose to go to Liberia
but a few chose not to.
Lastly, I enjoyed reading this book because it helped
me piece together some information for my own genealogy. My great-great-great-grandmother
Peggy Ross and her husband who are mentioned in the book chose to go to
Liberia. One of her sons, David Ross, my great-great-grandfather, decided to
remain in Mississippi. Overall I found the book to be an enjoyable read.
--Lanny, Frayser Branch |
Labels: Black History Month, Quick Picks, Staff Recommendations
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