He treat dis lil' darky jus' like he own chile, 'cause he never hab any chillen of his own. WebRacism and high rates of violence in East Texas can be traced to slavery. It makes white men a little insulted when you dont know they is white, and it makes niggers all conceited up when you think maybe they is white.". He wasn't no eddicated man, but he was what he calls himself a piano man. All during the Civil War, all the marketable goods produced in the region were brought to Navasota, then the furthest inland railhead in Texas, to be shipped south to Galveston, where it could be transported by steamboat from the Texas coast and up the Mississippi River to the war effort, or exported to Mexico or overseas to Europe. I hear a white preacher preach. WebRailroad Tower in Navasota, Texas. De sojers done took de rations. "It's a funny thing how folks always want to know about the War. He had to stay in the woods and travel at night and eat what he could find, berries and roots and things. They fit till the war was over and a lot of 'em got kilt. Sometime dey brung lil' white chillen to dinner. It gits so bad round dere, dat de menfolks allus eats supper befo' dark and takes a blanket and goes to de woods for to sleep. All de time de men's away, I could tell Missy Elline and her mamma was worried. Navasota is located in southwestern Grimes County, Texas, east of the Navasota River (a tributary of the Brazos River). MANDY HADNOT, small and forlorn looking, as she lies in a huge, old-fashioned wooden bed, appears very black in contrast to the clean white sheets and a thick mop of snowy wool on her head. "Who I is, how old I is and where I is born, I don't know. With the gun and the trigger; Navasota has many shops and artisans in its historic downtown district, including antique, gift, and boutique stores and art galleries housed in old classic stone and brick structures. He mek 'em outer rough red russet ledder. That was cheap for a boy. They'd hide in the cabins and then's when they found out who a lot of them Klu Kluxes was, 'cause a lot of 'em was kilt. Dey hab big hog killin' time, and dey dry and salt de meat in a big long trough. II State Football Champions in 2012 and 4A Div. Den I goes to Fort Worth and takes a job cookin' in de Gran' Hotel for three years. WebAs the United States expanded from 13 colonies, the debates over chattel slavery grewsome states came to abolish it, while others refused to untangle their political, De way I feels now, 'twon't be long 'fore I goes, too. "Every Christmas 'fore ole marster die he fix me up a tree out de woods. Dat was my home, so I kep' pesterin' marster to fetch me back, but he slips off and leaves me. ", "Dey had cabins for de slaves to live in. Dey comes sev'ral times to Alex' house but never cotches him. His autobiography is a colorful contribution, showing the philosophical attitude of the slaves, as well as shedding some light upon the lives of slave owners whose support of the Confederacy was not accompanied by violent hatred of the Union. The investigation started after an out-of-town newspaper (The Eagle) in Brazos County reported on the possible corruption. But, first, let me ask you this: Is you all a white man, or is you a black man?". Then he laughed: "No, you ain't. Jus' latches 'stead of locks was used dem days. She use' to let me bump on her pianny and didn' say nothin'. He lives on a green slope overlooking the Trinity river, in Moser Valley, a Negro settlement ten miles northeast of Fort Worth. Navasota was one of 70 (out of over a thousand) cities in Texas to receive the Gold status. ", "Dey was a gin and cotton press on de place. Dey done took all de rations and us couldn't eat de cotton. I 'member de first time de Yankees pass by, my mother lift me up on de fence. Eb'ry chile hab a side of watermilion. I allus did obey jis' like I was teached to do and dey didn' hafter whip me. The city is also home to the Willy 98.7 FM and 1550 AM radio stations, which are owned and managed by Bryan Broadcasting in Bryan, Texas. Den I goes to Dallas and cooks for private families, and wo'ks for Marster James Ellison for 30 years. I goes over to dey camp every day and dey gives me lots of good eats. "Sometimes someone would come 'long and try to get us to run up North and be free. It was the endin' of it that made the difference. Navasota Weather Forecasts. One day I seen my old daddy get whipped by the county and state 'cause he wouldn't work. 1850 Slave Schedules Grimes County (Source: Explore Ancestry for free) ($) 1860 Slave Schedules (Source: Near as you kin guess, dat was 'bout 50 year' ago. There am embers in de fireplace and she fills a pail with dem and when de Klux busts in de door she lets dem have de embers in de face, and den out de back door she goes. "My mistus hav lots of company. Course, dey got beat, but dat didn't worry dem none, and it not long till dey gone 'gain. Dey sings diff'rent songs and dis am one when deys gwine to work: "'Old cotton, old corn, see you every morn, Sure 'nough, dere was trouble, heaps of it. I never hear of him breakin' up a family. I know 'bout de time he comin' home when he go to town and I wait down by de big gate. My task was to shell peas and watch and stir de big cookin' pots on de fireplace. In de corner, It was jus' a common lil' hoss. In 1865, a warehouse filled with cotton and gunpowder exploded after it was torched by returning Confederate soldiers. James, known as Uncle Jim, seems happy, still stands erect, and is very active for his age. He tol' us we'uns could go if we'uns wanted to. WebThe slaves are said to have belonged to John Thomas. "She all 'lone in de big house and I think it break her heart. Mr. John Henderson bought the place, six slaves and James and his mother. ", "Dey had a big smokehouse. Slavery was integral to the local economy as planters depended on enslaved African Americans to labor for their large plantations. WebNavasota Map Navasota is a city in Grimes County, Texas, United States. So, on Christmas night, de chillen takes dem and puts dem on de stick. The dispatcher attended the police academy and had been working at Navasota Police department for some time. "De earlies' 'membrance I hab is when de ole marster drive into de town for supplies every two weeks. Dey load up my sack and sometime dey bring me stuff in a car right dere to dat gate. When she come in and say, 'Mandy, shine up de knife and fork and put de polish on de pianny, I allus happy, 'cause I lub to see folks come. Dat's de reason I's a co'nbread eater now. We could hear the guns go off when they was fightin'. He hid for his life in Galveston, and filed charges against many of the men, who were later fined but their murders were never prosecuted. The house was built by Alabama native Robert Augustus Horlock in 1892. The population was 6,789 at the 2000 census. Whereas nearby Washington on the Brazos protested the coming of the rails, the old historic town forfeited its geographic advantage, and it began to decline as many of its businesses and residences began a sure migration to the new railhead across the Brazos River at Navasota. In the late 1860s the KKK moved into Navasota, prompting a tense confrontation between federal soldiers and a crowd of local whites on one occasion. Marster never crowded us 'bout de wo'k, and never give any of us whuppin's. Cotton was twenty and thirty cents a pound then. [citation needed], In 2012, Navasota was named by the Union Pacific Railroad as "Train Town USA". For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. It was jus' a little stand built out in the open with no top on it, that the slaves stood on to get sold while the white folks auctioned 'em off. It don't do to let folks know dey's smarter'n you, 'cause den dey got you right where dey wants you. Us been lib here many a year. Slavery was integral to the local economy. WebBuilt in 1834 by Henry Fanthorp as a home for his third wife, Rachel Kennard, the Fanthorp home and Inn has been closely connected with events of early Texas history. I can't stan' much sun. slavery in navasota, texas The median income for a household in the city was $38,000, and for a family was $31,875. Dey had a big smokehouse on de farm where dey kep' all kin's of good things like sugar and sich. "Massa John am de kind massa and don't have whuppin's. Reported in the Bryan Eagle and Navasota Examiner. Marster says, 'If you did, de houn' got 'em.' "De ole marster pick me out a lil', gentle hoss named Julie and dat was my very own hoss. Dat was dey law in dem days. "I knowed Wright Cuney well and he held the biggest place a cullud man ever helt in Galveston. ", "Dat was a big plantation. My mammy, Emily Budle, she cook and clean up mistus log house cabin. For other uses, see, This populated place has portions in adjacent county or counties, This populated place has portions in an adjacent county or counties. None of us knows what to do, dere warn't no place to go and why would we'uns wan' to go and leave good folks like de marster? Jump fru' de crack. "My mother sold into slavery in Georgia, or round dere. ", "In good wedder dey feed us under a big tree out in de yard. "There used to be a man who raised bloodhounds to hunt slaves with. Hidden In A Texas Subdivision, A Plantation Where Slaves The inquiry dealt with whether the Deputy Police chief of Navasota Police department knew about the felony conviction for forgery of a family friend. She cry right 'long with me when I cry, 'cause I hurt so. "But what I want to say is, we didn't have no idea of runnin' and escapin'. My father come nex' day and jine us. In 1990, the boys basketball team won the 3A state championship with a 350 record after beating Gainesville and Lamesa at the state tournament played at the University of Texas Frank Erwin Center. Dat why I say I can't see so good. Horlock Art Gallery History Museum is one of the best things to do in Navasota Texas. "Somebody run 'way all de time and hide in de woods till dere gut pinch dem and den dey have to come back and git somethin' to eat. He settled on the south side of the Navasota River near Bur Oak Springs and developed a cotton plantation and cattle ranch that extended at one time over about 5,000 acres. But we dassent git on 'em to ride 'em. [8] Famed lawman Frank Hamer, then 24 years old, was hired from the Texas Rangers to become the City Marshal. And 'bout in a year, Marster Zeke fotches me to my mamma, in Johnson Station, south of Arlington. [9], In August 2013, Navasota was named a Go Texan "Certified Retirement Community" by the Texas Department of Agriculture.[10]. An informal militia rallied in Bryan, gathered arms, and caught the train southward towards the angry mob of armed freedmen who were marching on Bryan, a city to the north of Navasota. The bust was donated to the city by the French government in 1978. Cook says, 'If a houn' got 'em, 'twas a two-legged one, 'cause de plate am gone, too.' Navasota, Texas - Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern The master said that Calisy, that my mother, was the best fieldhand he had, and Calvin, that my daddy, was the laziest. "When freedom come my mudder and me pay no 'tention to it. She lives in Woodville, Texas, with her husband, Josh, to whom she has been married 13 years. Dey serve cake. Dey was a ol' Geo'gia hoss bed in it. Mistus 'low me to hab de boy come right to de big house to see me. In 1865, a warehouse filled with cotton and gunpowder exploded after it was The museum itself is housed in a historic building. WebSlavery grew faster after Texas became a U.S. state in 1845. I buys goods for sheets and table kivers and one nice Sunday set dishes. Art has increasingly become the concern of the artist and the bafflement of the public.Henry Geldzahler (19351994), The only thing worse than a liar is a liar thats also a hypocrite!There are only two great currents in the history of mankind: the baseness which makes conservatives and the envy which makes revolutionaries.Edmond De Goncourt (18221896). Old Mew Johnson, the preacher, seen to it church went on. Explore State Historic Sites - Texas Historical Commission I don' 'member anything 'bout my pappy, but I 'member Marster Henderson jus' like 'twas las' week. Born into slavery in 1840 in Louisiana, Gaines was sold to a Robertson County planter in Texas in 1859. She jus' walk 'round de yard and twist de hands and say, 'Dey sho' git kilt. ", "Me? WebEnslaved people, enslavers, and slavery in general - information . The second is a stone bust that was previously in downtown, and was rededicated by the French consulate in May 2012 at nearby August Horst Park. "How did we know it! Run, kitty, run.'. Slavery in the United States - Wikipedia When I's de. Miss Ca'lina she name' me. If I live till December, I'll be 102 years old, and dis ole heart have been pumpin' and pumpin' all dem years and have missed nary a beat till dis las' year. History of Sharecropping - UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures As of the census[3] of 2010, 7,049 people, 2,206 households, and 1,726 families reside in the city. Its name was changed in 1858 to Navasota, a name perhaps derived from the Native American word nabatoto ("muddy water"). A statue of Mance Lipscomb is now a part of Mance Lipscomb Park, near downtown. Dey hab a big san' pile for me to play in, but I never play with any other chillen. Of the 2,206 households, 37% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29% were not families. De women folks was proud of dere men folks, but dey was powerful grieved. You know everybody and everybody know you.' Navasota [citation needed]. Navasota, Texas - Wikipedia asked the interviewer. Men you thought was your friend was Klu Kluxes and you'd deal with 'em in stores in the daytime and at night they'd come out to your house and kill you. ", "We done our playin' 'roun' dat big house, but dat front gate, we dassen' go outside dat. They are unmarked as far as she knows. Generally, the census only names the slave owner. Some of 'em didn't want to go. De baby am in de mammy's arms and a bunch of Klux ridin' by takes a shot at de mammy, and it hits de baby and kills it. I calls, 'Here comes de Klux,' and makes for under de bed. WebInitially, slavery was not allowed in Texas under Mexican rule. Navasota, Texas Train Town USA Legends of America When I git disable' to wuk in de time of de 'pressure (depression) I git on my walkin' stick. Not long afterward the town was struck by a deadly cholera epidemic, which was followed in 1867 by an even more dangerous epidemic of yellow fever. 'Bout 20 year since us come here from Georgia and works de truck farm. Washington County If anyone has information on this cemetery, please let us know. She say he ain't no service to her. ", "Atter he dead I wash and iron and cook out and raise my chillun. ANN HAWTHORNE, Beaumont, Tex., was clad in a white dress which was protected by a faded blue checked apron. Den de chillen holds de bladder in de fire and purty soon, 'BANG,' dey goes. Things to do in Navasota, Texas In 1833, a group including the extended family and associates of John Parker, a Baptist minister and veteran of the American Revolution, began to relocate from Illinois to Texas. June 20, 2012, Federal agents return to Navasota along with Navasota Police and arrest 21 area residents for drug trafficking. "How did you know the end of the war had come?" "Me and Bob Thomas and dis husban', Josh, what I marry thirteen year ago, hab 'bout 10 chillen all togedder. Dibble, Fred, P.W., Beehler, Rheba, P.W., ", "My gramma and my ma and ol' man Norsworthy dey come from Alabama. "De place I am borned am right near Atlanta, in Georgia, and on dat plantation of Massa John Blackshier. I don' 'member dat dey give us no presents. Washington County. We decided we was too soft and freedom wasn't goin' to be much to our good even if we had a education.". And heat of the South, Us hab chicken and turkey and cake. For a ripe, red mouth. There were many saloons and gaming halls to entertain the cowboys, railroad men, and others on the loose. When dey gits through, dey ain't much more tookin' to be done. He uster preach to de white folks in de mornin' and de cullud folks in de afternoons. A new municipal building was completed in 2011 and continued downtown improvements are under construction, with completion scheduled for 2023. Hung him on a tree in his front yard, right in front of his cabin. But he never punish nobody 'cept dey done somethin'. John was my father. WebOn the banks of the Navasota River, Civil War veterans met for reunions from 18891946. In 2005, the Texas Legislature named the city "The Blues Capital of Texas," in honor of the late Mance Lipscomb, a Navasota native and blues musician. I'm thinkin' lots of 'em pretended to want to go as soon as they had to go. About 23.8% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 24.0% of those age 65 or over. WebSlavery in Texas is a co-curricular project sponsored by the History Department and Center for Community Engagement at Sam Houston State University. The Gov'nor told the law to give 'em the old guns in the com'sary, what the Southern soldiers had used, so they issued the cullud men old muskets and said protect themselves. He served as marshal until 1911. Sometimes you didn't knowed it was goin' on. Old cotton, old corn, see you since I's born. But we didn't do it. "When war was over I come back here and now I'm too old to work and the state gives me a pension and me and my granddaughter live on that. If he cotch dem tryin' play off sick, den he lay into dem, or if he cotch dem loafin'. JAMES HAYES, 101, was born a slave to a plantation owner whose name he does not now recall, in Shelby Co., two miles from Marshall, Texas. I's pleased to see my mammy, but after a few days I wants to go back to Marshall with Marster Zeke. http://www.navasotaexaminer.com/news/article_93b2ddca-bf19-11e1-af8d-0019bb2963f4.html, Read more about this topic: Navasota, Texas, Culture, the acquainting ourselves with the best that has been known and said in the world, and thus with the history of the human spirit.Matthew Arnold (18221888), The history of modern art is also the history of the progressive loss of arts audience. Dat am de fireworks. "There was some cullud young men went to the schools they'd opened by the gov'ment. ", "De ol' marster he didn' work he han's on Sunday and he give 'em half de day off on Sadday, too. 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"When peace come they read the 'mancipation law to the cullud people and they stayed up half the night at Mr. Harper's, singing and shouting. [13] A statue of Frank Hamer stands in front of city hall, honoring the time he served as city marshal. We had all the clothes we wanted and if you wanted shoes bad enough you got 'emshoes with a brass square toe. She tell me funny things 'bout how dey use to do up dere. Pleasant Retreat Plantation House, South side of Mavasota I jus' always asks that question for fun. Later the White Mans Union was formed, which sought political solutions when possible to the power struggles in Navasota. "One time they had 12 men in jail, 'cused of robbin' white folks. Me and my father stuck, stuck close as a lean tick to a sick kitten. Hundreds of slaves did go to Mexico and got on all right. Well, that's how it was with us. They wasn't slaves no more. The census of 1850 reported 58,161 slaves, 27.4 percent of the 212,592 people in Texas, and the census of 1860 enumerated 182,566 slaves, 30.2 percent of the total population. She let me go to ice cream supper, too. Den all de other niggers thinks dey should git land, too, but dey don't, and it make dem git foolishment and git in trouble. I didn' do nuthin' but chu'n (churn) and clean de yard, and sweep 'roun' and go to de spring and tote de water. Git dat li'l bonnet. Mid 1860s skirmish between Navasotan disgruntled freedmen and Confederate veterans broke out in the Brazos Bottoms near Millican, after a race riot there threw the whole region into a panic. "Den massa come home and say, 'Yous gwine be free. ", "I was bo'n up here in Jasper. They never caught him and after he crossed the Mason-Dixon line he was safe. I was too little to get on the stand, so they had to hold me up and Mr. Harper bought me for $1,100. The city also has golfing facilities and parks as well as wineries. De white folks lets me live in dis shack for mowin' de lawn, but I worries 'bout when I can't do no more work. A Grimes County grand jury convicted two suspects in August 2012. My friends is good to me and lets me stay with dem. Let's see, now. "The ranch went on jus' like it always had before the war. Us hab chicken and all kinds of good things. Us place was right near Col' Springs. MOLLY HARRELL was born a slave on the Swanson plantation, near Palestine, Texas. Us have milk and 'lasses and brown sugar, and some meat. The gov'ment give me $30.00 a month for drivin' a four-mule wagon for the army. But here I is talking 'bout myself when you want to hear me talk 'bout slavery. A tree am fix, and some present for everyone. The city of Navasota earned a 2011 Gold Leadership Award from the Texas Comptroller's Office for efforts in transparency. Dey was cut straight and wid long waist and dey button down de back. After while, de Yankee sojers comes and takes some more. "I's too small to 'member my father, 'cause he die when I jus' a baby. "De only thing I 'members 'bout all dat, am dere am lots of cryin' when dey tooks me 'way from my mammy. Web1860 - 1865 Texas joined Confederacy; Civil War began 1865 Juneteenth 1869 The First African American in Texas Legislature 1873 Buffalo Soldiers first posted in Texas 1876 Present Texas Constitution Adopted 1882 The Early Days of Women's Equality 1888 New State Capitol Completed 1891 Texas Railroad Commission Established He relentlessly fought the various power factions, and one day fought one perceived local warlord in the mud on main street, throwing him in jail and defying all comers, as the rest of the troublemakers began to search for cover. ", "Us gals wo' plain, long waisted dress. It am de awful way to spend you last days. Den I know he almos' home and I holler and wave my han' and he holler and wave he han' right back. Iffen you did dey wouldn' let you forgit it. ", "You wants to tek my picture? They brought up their children to speak only Mexican. Washington County is in the Blackland Prairies region of southeast central Texas. We thought we was goin' to get rich like the white folks. But he never give 'em a patch to work for deyself. And I said, 'Sister Johnson, dat's 'cause I keep faith with de Lawd. Texas State Highway 6 passes northsouth through the eastern side of the city as a four-lane bypass, leading northwest 22 miles (35km) to College Station and south 21 miles (34km) to Hempstead. Dey git oak and ash and hick'ry wood and mek a fire under it and smoke it. Texas She wore silk hose with the heels completely worn out of them. Dey give each li'l nigger a big iron spoon and us sho' go to it. [20] In addition, the Pack Warehouse is located in an unincorporated area near the Pack Unit. It never git real ha'd but stay kinder slushy. Sister Johnson say to me outside of services last Sunday night, 'Brother Harper, you is de beatines' man I ever seen. It was my job, after dark, listenin' for dem Klux, den I gits under de bed. Such goods were shipped south by rail to Galveston, where they could be transported by steamboat along the Texas coast and up the Mississippi River to the war effort or exported to Mexico or overseas to Europe. Reported in the Navasota Examiner and Bryan Eagle paper. The old Negro was growing very tired, but, at a request, he instantly got up and tapped his way out into the scorching sunshine to have his photograph taken. The Deputy chief resigned. Dey uster hang asafoetida 'roun' us neck in a li'l bag to keep us from ketch' de whoopin' cough and de measles. But I's had two strokes and I ain't able to go to town no mo'. The site remains a gathering place for history events, recreation, and family reunions. Brenham, the seat of government, is near the county's center and seventy-five air miles east of Austin. ", "I uster like to go and play 'roun' de calfs, jis' go up and pet 'em and rub 'em. So I messed 'round in South Carolina again a while and then come back to Galveston. They didn't meet 'cept when they heered the Klu Kluxes was coming to get some cullud folks. ", "Ol' marster he was good to his slaves. I works till us come to Galveston 'bout ten year ago. He have two sons and Willie am 'bout 18 and Dave am 'bout 17. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,643 people, 2,661 households, and 2,011 families residing in the city. ", "I never see no slaves bought and sol'. Lawmen had to hide and watch, and often were afraid of the streets at night. In 2009, Navasota was selected as a "Visionaries in Preservation" city by the Texas Historical Commission to protect the numerous historic structures in the city. Us stay right on de place. If someone gets caught by his shirt on a limb of a tree, he had to die there if he weren't cut down. Navasota Junior High exceeded state targets in Student Progress and Post-Secondary Readiness. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection therefore existing between them becomes that between employer and free He was nice one day and mean as Hades de next. History of African Americans in Texas Lots of white folks comes and dey eats and drinks wine, dey sings and dances. Luther Unit and the Wallace Pack Unit in an unincorporated area in Grimes County near Navasota. I was plenty sick and Dr. Brennen, he took good care of me. We was free. Texas History Timeline One day she tell us, 'De war am on us. The downtown buildings were teaming with lawless ruffians, gamblers, prostitutes and drunks. Dere's six slaves on dat place and I coul' beat dem all a-hoein'. We couldn't see dem airplanes flyin' in de air and hear folks sing and talk a thousand miles away. Black History Month William now lives at 910 E. Weatherford St., Ft. Worth, Texas. "If you's lookin' for Ann Hawthorne, dis is me. Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation is hosting a Texas Independence Day Celebration Saturday, Feb. 29, from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., 2400 Park I'll never be a slave For her, it am trouble, trouble and more trouble. "Me and my father and five brothers and sisters weren't goin' to Mexico. Dat was de fus' time Missy laugh after de funeral. Iffen it git to be a ser'ous ailment dey sen' for de reg'lar doctor. My gramma toted de key to dat smokehouse and ol' mistus she'd tell her what to go and git for de white folks and de cullud folks. Course, I ain't blamin' you for it, but what you done say 'bout all de plantations havin' schools was wrong, so I jes' had to tell you I been a slave myself. http://www.navasotaexaminer.com/news/article_69301b7c-bb21-11e1-a35b-0019bb2963f4.html, June 23, 2012. Ma tell 'em to write him he neenter (need not) come. In July 2009, a successful business owner was killed inside his liquor store by armed robbers. Every Sunday morning the undertaker hitched up a buggy and went downtown to collect the bodies he expected to find after another wild Saturday night.