Who’ll Bid? – Slave Narrative

Tracing my lineage through blood and spirit, within a slave narrative.

Awhile back, I visited the site of the slave auction block in Cahaba. It is a grassy area, an otherwise unassuming square.

In truth, the auction block was a place of horror, of cruelty–and the stage for countless African-American families to be formed or broken. Shackled together, new families formed as they trod on dusty feet into uncertain fate. Families were torn asunder as mothers grabbed and screamed for lost children. Many begged or bargained for mercy, in a desperate attempt to save something–their loved ones, their pride, their lives. The lash struck against naked skin, cutting through until blood and pus spilled on the soil like so many tears.

The crumbled auction blocks lie in ruins, unseen amongst long grass and faded memory. Let us not forgot. The labor of every slave is the foundation for our very lives, and the hope for our children. It is my hope that my ancestors will be proud of how I received the hard fought inheritance of freedom, of dignity.
Lynn Mari, 2008

A slave narrative that struck a cord…

State: Alabama

Interviewee: Fitzpatrick, Reuben

“One time I was taken to the slave market and I was screwed on the block and Mr. Martin bought me and my Mamma. The man who was selling us would holler, “Who’ll bid? Who’ll bid?” We was supposed to be spry and fidgety as to make the men bid. My furst Marster was Wash Jones. He wan’t no good to us. He would hit us wid his cane jes’ as if it had been a switch. Be like the way Marse Wash treated us niggers. He bought us for his son.”

Source: Ancestry Library Edition

For More Information:

The Slavery and Civil War Museum (1410 Water Ave., Selma, AL)
http://www.theslaveryandcivilwarmuseum.org/

Wickipedia: Cahaba, Alabama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahawba,_Alabama

Celebrating Jack Johnson on July 4th

In my family’s lore, 1910 will be remembered as the year Grandpa Bud was born. My great-grandmother, Big Momma had only know the life of share cropping when her first child, Robert (also called “Bud” and “Spicey”) was born. The sun rose and lowered over fields of cotton, small shadowed figures stooped beneath the horizon, their lives followed the path of the sun–to the fields and back. Big Momma was the only child of Sarah Jane Martin and Simon Robbins, both who died or disappeared in her youth. Big Momma would be sheltered among various relatives who live among the wooded culverts and sparse fields of Summerfield, Valley Creek and Pleasant Hill. Big Momma was a proud woman who learned independance early in life. She had her first child, my grandfather, at a young age and raised him among a familiar circle of relatives after her husband disappeared. Disappearance was a way of life between the migratory patterns of farming. the threats of violence against Blacks, the burden of debt and poverty created by sharecropping and the hope for something better that fluctuated between leaving and coming back–or not being seen again. Generations of my family, from Big Momma to the first Africans that set foot in Alabama, had worked the fields of Dallas County, never to be acknowledged as a cornerstone of labor, faith and sacrifice upon which this nation was established. In truth, our history goes beyond the fields of cotton, in which families had their own love, loss and drama recalled through family stories and tall tales, song and through the lives of heroes. Jack Johnson, against all odds, became a legend–and his victory should be celebrated on July 4th, for it is a great moment in American history.

History and fate join my family story into the legendary life of Jack Johnson, the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World. Johnson claimed his victory on July 4, 1910 after knocking out James J. Jeffries, the heavyweight champion of the time–and the White contender who represented the supremacy of his race. Born in 1910, Grandpa Bud was an intelligent man with the spirit of a fighter–he succumbed to the struggle, and both his intelligence and spirit would prove to be weapons of his own demise. There were many men like Jack Johnson and Grandpa Bud in American history–Black men who were spit upon from birth, refused opportunities to succeed, and experiencing a struggle that had enveloped the generations before them in poverty, violence and social inequality. The fight to overcome the immense challenges faced was a dangerous walk between being and outlaw and being a survivor. Or being killed for even trying, or daring to hope for something better.

Jack Johnson was born in Galveston Texas on March 31, 1878 to Henry and Tiny Johnson, former slaves. Johnson was the second of six children born into the Johnson family. Jack Johnson left school in the fifth grade to work odd jobs and found his way into the highly controversial, often illegal boxing circuit. Early boxing matches often pitted Blacks against each other in free-for-all fights known as “battle royals”, where only the strongest was left standing. Whites then tossed coins to the winner. Johnson got his start in these bloody battles and would later refuse to fight Blacks to fought for titles against White boxers, who held not only a title but gained social status aand larger financial rewards with their win. Johnson was a giant of a man known for his imposing size, his dark skin (he was often called derogatory names such as “pygymy”, “coon” and “Ethiopian”) and his predatory style of boxing. Johnson’s style of boxing was deceptive in that he often enertained his audience while simulataenously punishing and taunting his opponent. In many ways, it was as if Johnson was mimicking and then knocking out the ministrel shows popular at the time. Entertainment was familiar to Johnson, when not boxing, he performed in vaudeville shows. Johnson was known to smile, joke and fake injury before landing a hard jab or knocking the teeth out of an opponent. Johnson was also reknown for his aggressive, even arrogant, defiance of Jim Crow laws and the prevalent grip of racism. Johnson was a self-educated man who lived life on his own terms. Johnson did not play into the accepted role for Black men to be an entertaining fool or to be an emasculated, non-threatening figure. Johnson also went beyond the ideals of popular Civil Rights activists. Johnson provoked society as a whole by desegregating the boxing ring, marrying and carrying on affairs with White women and displaying himself publicly in ways that offended social norms (whose rules were often defined by racist ideology).

In the most celebrated and contested victory of his career, Jack Johnson faced “The Great White Hope”, James J. Jeffries, in a battle for the World Heavyweight Title. After Johnson had thoroughly pounded champion Tommy Burns in 1908 in Australia, then flaunted his win, a “Great White Hope” was sought to defeat Johnson. It was believed that the reputation and supremacy of the White race was at stake–and Johnson represented a very real threat with his popularity, wealth and attraction to White women. Many fighters came forward to battle Johnson, all were soundly defeated. James J. Jeffries, a former champion, came out of retirement to fight Johnson after it appeared that no one else could stand against Johnson. Jeffries originally refused to fight Johnson because he was Black but was persuaded to return to the ring, after six years of retirement, because it was believed Jeffries was the only one who could redeem the White race. The fight was so controversial that it was banned from its original location in California by an act of the governor and had to be moved to Reno, Nevada. Johnson faced Jeffries with his signature smile and throughout 15 rounds joked, danced and talked to the crowd. In the 15th round, Jeffries was pulled from the ring before Johnson could knock him out. Johson was declared the winner, against Jeffires who entered the fight solely to prove, “…that a white man is better than a Negro.” Johnson would return to his home in Chicago, by train, on July 7, 1910 a hero. By then, race riots broke out across America, hundreds of Blacks were killed and injured as racist Whites sought revenge. Film footage of the Johnson-Jeffries fight was banned from the public to avoid further rioting. During his boxing career, from 1897 to 1928, Johnson had 114 bouts, winning 80, 45 by knockouts.

Johnson lived by his own ideals, he was led by his passions and fought for what he believed in. Johnson was flambouyant and arrogant, speeding down the street in racing cars, capping his front teeth with gold and openly flaunting his White wives and mistresses. Johnson’s relationships with White women would draw scorn from Whites, who demanded revenge (death threats also were common). After a lengthy FBI investigation, in which Johnson was interrogated and put on surveillance, he was charged for violating the Mann Act (transporting women across state lines for prostitution)–a racially motivated charge. In 1913, Johnson would be sentanced to a year in federal prison for marrying a White woman–accused of being a “white slaver”. Johnson would live as a fugitive for seven years to avoid prison, and return to the US in 1920 to surrender while simultaenously receiving a hero’s welcome. While in Leavenworth prison, Johnson was appointed atheletic director and helped stage fights. Johnson was popular in prison and largely did as he pleased, and ignored the rules that typically applied to prisoners. Johnson was a jack of all trades, when not boxing he owned and operated several nightclubs, gave lectures, sold stocks, wrote two memoirs, patented a wrench and worked in the movie industry. Johnson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954. Johnson’s life was the basis for the 1970 movie, “The Great White Hope”, starring James Earl Jones.

Johnson died in 1946 in a car crash, thousands attended his funeral and celebrated his life. He is buried at Graceland Cemetary in Chicago. Grandpa Bud died in 1959. His grave lies hidden among the weeds and underbrush in a segregated cemetary in Valley Creek, all that is recalled of where he is buried is that a red flower was once placed on his headstone.

Johnson is a champion but also a man with flaws, both aspects which so strongly resonate with the stories I have heard in my own family. That Jack Johnson, as controversial and contrary as he once was, survived several attempts on his life, incarceration, public outcry and personal struggle is a miracle. Johnson’s win on July 4, 1910 should be commerated as a victory for all those who dared to rise above the limitations society had unjustly set. What Johnson won is more than a Heavyweight Title but represents the core spirit, the fundamental values that America was built on–to fight the good fight, to challenge oppression and to inspire vision and courage in the next generation so that they will become our leaders, our heroes.

Lynn Mari: July 4, 2008.

A Pardon for Jack Johnson?
http://www.infiniteboxing.com/articles/jsands/071404.htm

IBHOF/Jack Johson
http://www.ibhof.com/jjohnson.htm

Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant…“Master of Ring Science”. by Monte D. Cox
http://coxscorner.tripod.com/johnson.html

“Johnson boxed, lived on his own terms.” by Ron Flatter, Special to ESPN.com
http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014275.html

Sermon in Church by Jack Johnson (NY Times):
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B05E4DB173EEE3ABC4953DFBE66838A639EDE

Unforgiveable Blackness a film directed by Ken Burns (PBS)
I have seen this documentary and highly recommend it.
http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/about/

The Wacky Villian: A story by DP and Mommy

Mr. Wackypants the Burglar has just gotten out of jail after robbing a bank, he made off with $20,000–all in rolls of pennies. Mr. Wackypants was caught after using the bus as a getaway. It took 10 minutes to dump all those pennies in the meter. A really smart boy named DP figured out something was wrong and alerted the driver to the strange passenger who wore a polka dot clown suit with a black mask across his eyes. The driver pushed the emergency button near his seat, calling for help. Mr. Wackypants tried to run away. DP jumped over the seat, then grabbed Mr. Wackypant’s leg and bit him as hard as he could. Mr, Wackypants screamed so loud that he alerted Underdog, who has a nose for helping people. When Underdog saw the bank robber, and the little boy who was trying to stop him, he sprang into action. Underdog punched Mr. Wackypants, knocking out several teeth as well as all the polka dots on his clown suit. Mr. Wackypants fell to the the ground in a daze. Not soon after the police came, and threw him in jail.

After spending 12 years in jail, Mr. Wackypants vowed he would never get caught again. He would rob another bank–this time by climbing on the outside of the building, and sneaking through a window rather than taking a chance of being caught during a hold-up (where a very smart 7 year old may try to stop him). Mr, Wackypants waited, very excited, until the darkest of night to pull of the heist. He crept towards the bank building, with super glue on a special gloves so he would be able to crawl up very high. Mr. Wackypants pries open a window and creeps into the bank. He find a broomstick to defend himself with. He heads towards the vault, hoping he is well disguised in his polka dot clown suit. Wackypants nears the vault and then realizes he doesn’t have the code, and can’t get it! So he hits the vault with broomstick…over and over and over again. Nothing happens. Mr. Wackypants hits harder, this time sounding an alarm. Before he can get away, a super hero dog named Underdog flies through the open window and pounces on Mr. Wackypants. Underdog lifts his leg and pees on Mr. Wackypants, trapping him inside a stinky web. Mr. Wackypants slips on the puddle of pee, unable to get away. Using his super radio, Underdog signals the police who nab Mr. Wackypants–again! Mr.Wackypants is now in jail, dreaming of escape but so long as Underdog is here justice will be done.

THE END

by D.Poet and Mommy , 6/9/2008
©2008

More about Underdog on Disney:
http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/underdog/

Underdog Movie Photos
http://movies.about.com/library/weekly/blunderdogpicsa.htm/

In Memory of Bernice “Bern” Morton

Bernice Morton, 82 of Selma, Alabama passed away on May 26, 2008. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday May 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Lett officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Interment will be at Pineview Memory Gardens under the direction of Lewis Brothers Funeral Home.

Mrs. Morton was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Earnest King, husband, Mr. Ennis Morton and son Ernest Sigmon Sr. Survivors include daughters: Dr. Janice Hunte (Eyston), Marcia Bailey (Marshall), Jenorice Haynes (Japp Sr.), son Ennis Morton Jr. (Carol), grandchildren: Rochelle Ramano (Thomas), Emerson Hunte, Dane Dougherty, Ernesto Sigmon, Erica Peck-Love (Shon), Sheila Smitherman (Juan), Marshanda Bailey, Erin Sigmon, Jasmine Hoffman (Justin), David Hunte (Valerie), Katherine Hunte, Japp Haynes IV, Eyslyn Hunte, great grandchildren: Jasmine Lacey, Solomon Sigmon, Seth Sigmon, Lily Moon Quintero, Brooklin Blu Peck Love, Thomas Ramano, Brock Tristan Smitherman, Brooke Nicole Smitherman, Brianna Simone Smitherman, sister-in-law: Queenie Ferguson, cousins Annie, Bessies, and Mildred Baker, special loved ones:

Hernice Mutuku, Rev. and Mrs. Reese , Fannie and Lester Bailey, Lois McGee, Wanda Tyler (God Daughter), Beloved Friend and Physician, Dr. Glenton Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special family and friends too numerous to mention.

Born on November 6, 1925 in Selma Alabama, she served the Lord in her community through her work at Selma University and her long time membership at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Morton was well known for her work during the civil rights movement and was often mentioned on CNN for her role in preparing meals for thousands of freedom fighters including Dr. Martin Luther King, Rev Ralph Abernathy, Joseph Lowery, Andrew Young, and Rev. Jesse Jackson in the 1960’s. Her life and story was recounted in the book entitled “The Selma Campaign 1963-1965.” She also received numerous awards for her leadership and dedication including the prestigious Drum Major for Justice Award and The Faithful Servant Award presented by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta in 1989.

She received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities from Selma University in May 1989 for her outstanding contributions in the field of Education. She loved people. In 1995, she was again honored for her contributions toward equality and fair treatment for everyone and received the Invisible Giant Recognition and Award during the 30th Anniversary March for Voting Rights. She has also been featured in the Selma Voting Rights Museum and has been the focus of several documentaries detailing the civil rights movement and the events leading up to Bloody Sunday. She is one of Selma’s famed “Foot Soldiers.”

She was loved by many and will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Selma.

http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/articles/2008/05/30/news/obituaries/obit%2018.txt

~*~*~*~*

In loving memory of Auntie Bern. I will always remember your kindness, warmth and gracious heart. When I first attended the family reunion, your smile beckoned to me from across the room. You are a woman of strength and pride. You made sure to tell me of the struggle of the Freedom Fighters, that the quiet streets I walk were once slippery with blood and tears. You instilled in me a sense of purpose; to not only remember my family’s history but to fight for our place in history itself. Not as slaves or dejected citizens but as people of faith, people of great diversity and most of all–as people worthy not only be remembered but honored. I wish I lived closer, so I could have known you better. But I can say, Auntie Bern, that you will remain in my thoughts and prayers, and your memory will be celebrated in the stories passed down to my children. God bless and keep you <3

Your Niece, Lynn and Family

“At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?

Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.
Rising up to the sky
you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer’s call
and flew beyond space and time.”
Gone to the Unseen, Jelaluddin Rumi

In Memory of CD “Dugga” Martin

C.D. Martin

C.D. Martin, 88, of Selma died May 10, 2008 at Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

Services are scheduled for 11AM, Thursday, May 2008 at Graveside Ceremony with the Rev. James E. Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Miller Funeral Service. Survivors include brother, Fred Martin Sr.; nieces, Mabel Reddick; Jeanette (Johny) Moss of Selma, AL; Rosalyn (Clarence) Hatcher, Valdosta, Ga; and Alice Lee West of Selma, AL; nephews, Thomas Akons III, Clarence Mitchell, Malachi Martin Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, and Roy Mitchell, Detroit, MI. And great nephews.

Obituaries for Thursday, May 15, 2008, Selma Times Journal

http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/articles/2008/05/27/news/obituaries/obit%2027.txt

Rest In Peace… On a sultry night in Selma, so hot the “skeeters” dropped from the sky and begged for a drop of water, my cousin Nile and I pondered over family stories. An incredible journey had begun, leading me from the muddy banks of Pig’s Eye to the backroads of Alabama to reconnect with family, and for the first time to look into eyes so like my own. Yet many questions remained unanswered. On a whim, Nile remembered our older cousin, “Dugga”. With excitment, Nile raced for the door. I panted in tow, dripping with sweat but eager for the adventure ahead. There was but a drip of gas in the tank as Nile sped down the narrow streets–in a town as small as Selma you can get pretty far on the last penny of gas. Many unseen events seemed to connect us, as small but important stitches in a family quilt we all shared–a quilt made of our memories, experiences and kindred connections. Nile and I arrived at Dugga’s house, he opened the door and with a smile said to Nile, “I was just thinking of you!”. Dugga invited us in, we sat knee to knee in his small living room while he patiently answered our questions, and told us stories of our family. I will always be thankful Dugga opened the door to us that night–a cousin he hadn’t seen in awhile, and a cousin he had just met. The stories he shared gave new energy to my work to create a family scrapbook, and in his passing, I hope we all realize how important it is to listen, to leave a legacy to the next generation and most of all–to find peace within our own families because after a person dies, it will be too late to look back and seek that lost connection.

Lynn

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”- Romans 12:15

1910: Stokes and Lucy Morton

Source: 1910 Census
Name: MORTON
Place: Mulberry Precinct, Autauga, Alabama

Stokes/ Stephen Morton
b. 1853
Mulatto
Farm Laborer

wife
Lucy Morton
b. 1855
Black

son
Enice
b. 1875
Black
Farm Laborer
Married

Grandson
Percy Morton (son of Enice Morton)
b. 1899
Black

Granddaughter (daughter of Percy Morton)
Edith Morton
b. 1902
Black

Family of Enis & Margarett Morton (Autauga County, AL)

1900 Census: Mulberry (Autauga County), Alabama

Enis Morton b. July 1875, Black, Farm Laborer

wife

Margarett Morton b. July 1875, Black

son

Percy Morton b October 1899

nephew

Willie Word b. May 1891

NEXT TO

Stokes (Stephen) Morton b. June 1852, Mulatto, Farm Laborer
wife: Lucy J. Morton b. July 1854, Black
Parents of Enis (Enice) Morton

Note: This is a line I am still researching. Percy Morton married my great-grandmother, Mary Martin Morton. Percy Morton later moved to Texas.

For Local and Genealogical Information on Autauga County Visit:

Autauga County Alabama Genealogy: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alautaug/#Queries

City of Prattville, Alabama:
http://www.prattville.com/

WWI Draft Card: West Martin

Date: 1917-1918
#2084 No. 283

Name: West Martin
Born: 1889
Race: African
Address: 614 Minter, Selma, Ala.
Place of Birth: Summerfield, Ala.
Occupation: Planter
Employer: Ebenezer Deus (sp?)
Dependants: Wife, 4 children
Height: Tall
Build: Medium
No previous military experience

Note: West or “Wess” Martin is a cousin. His wife is Alberta McIlwan/Mc Clwain Martin. Their children are Malachi, Rosa, Aldolphus and CD Martin. I am looking for more information about Wess and this line of Martins. If this name sounds familiar, please leave a comment. Thanks

Henry Coleman: Burnsville, Ala * 1917

Source: Form 1 990 Registration Card No. #53, WWI Draft Registration Card
Name: Henry Coleman
Age: 21
Home: Burnsville, Alabama
Date of Birth: August 10, 1895
Natural Born
Where Born: Safford, Ala USA
Occupation: Saw Mill Laborer
Employed: (A bit unclear) Geoff Blessed Lgr Co.
Where Employed: Burnsville, Alabama
Dependants: None
Marital Status: Single
Race: African
No Prior Military Service, Sign with his mark

Registrar’s Report

Tall, Medium Build, Black Eyes, Black Hair (Not Bald)
No Disability

Signed By: WJ Taylor
Precinct 22
County, Dallas
State, Alabama
June 5, 1917

Also:

Coleman’s Are Listed in: 1866 Alabama State Census Colored Population Dallas County, AL Thank-you BJ Smothers!
http://www.prairiebluff.com/census/1866Dallas.htm

1900 Census * Violet Radford

Source: 1900 Census, Columbiana (Shelby County).

Violet Radford, b. 1840, B
Sallie Radford, b. 1880, B, Daughter
Carrie Radford, b. 1885, B, Daughter
Willie Radford, b. 1893, B, Grandson

Additional Sources:

AL Gen Web:Shelby County, Alabama- http://www.rootsweb.com/~alshelby/shelby1.html
City of Columbiana, Alabama- http://www.cityofcolumbiana.com/
Tracking Your Roots: Shelby County, Alabama- http://www.trackingyourroots.com/shelby.htm