Mississippi Historical Society

The board of directors of the Mississippi Historical Society met on November 14 at the Two Mississippi Museums. Don't miss the annual meeting in Meridian on March 5-6, 2026. More soon! (Click on image to enlarge.)
 

Proud to serve

Many thanks to Jan Griffey and The Natchez Democrat.

I was proud to serve, and I am both grateful and humbled to be part of this Veterans Day feature.

 
#VeteransDay

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See more at this link: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/from-mississippi-to-germany-roscoe-barnes-iii-on-finding-purpose-travel-and-education-in-the-army-dc30494f

Prince Ibrahima honored with historical marker near Historic Jefferson College

by Mississippi Monitor | Oct 28, 2025 | Capital/River
By: Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., Visit Natchez
 
 

Descendants of Prince Ibrahima and Dr. John Coates Cox join members of the Natchez Historical Society for a photo in front of Ibrahima's marker. Photo by Albert L. Jones (Click on image to enlarge.)

Abdul Rahman Ibrahima Sori, the African prince who spent 40 years enslaved on Thomas Foster’s plantation, now has a historical marker that commemorates his life and legacy.

The marker was unveiled Friday, October 24, near Historic Jefferson College, on the corner of Jefferson College Street and Highway 61 North.

Over 50 people turned out for the event that was hosted by the Natchez Historical Society, the organization that sponsored the marker acquired through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Michael Morris, historian and director of the Two Mississippi Museums, served as the guest speaker. He said the story of Ibrahima is one of the most important in American history.

Michael Morris, director of The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, was the guest speaker at the ceremony honoring the prince. Photo by Albert L. Jones. (Click on image to enlarge.)

“There are many connections between Ibrahima and Jefferson College, the state’s first institution of higher learning and Mississippi’s birthplace,” he said. “Understanding this story is key to understanding nineteenth century Mississippi. I’m thankful to the Natchez Historical Society for sponsoring this marker to recognize Prince Ibrahima.”

The ceremony attendees included descendants of the prince, historians, MDAH staff, and Alderwoman Valencia Hall, among others.

“What a historic day to honor a man forgotten by the very city that enslaved him, yet by today’s actions he will live in perpetuity,” said Hall after the ceremony. “What a testament to the power of humanity where the descendants of not only Prince Ibrahima were present for this historic moment, but the descendants of Dr. Cox and Mr. Foster standing together as One. A true testament of what it means to bridge races, religions and ethnicities into one through time and healing. Live on Prince Ibrahima!”

Karen Hill, past president of the Natchez Historical Society, shared opening remarks at the event. She said the story of the prince is fascinating and deserved recognition.

“This is the first historical marker honoring the prince. … Many people in this area are familiar with him while others know very little about his life” she said. “His story is one of tragedy and triumph. If this event stirs interest in him and much more, we have succeeded.”

Hill said the day’s ceremony promoted a sense of community, something that is good for everyone. 

David Dreyer is a local historian and genealogist. Photo by Albert L. Jones.
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David Dreyer, local historian and genealogist, commented on the location of the marker. “We come here today to mark the place where a seemingly improbable meeting occurred,” he said. “Two-hundred-and-eighteen years ago in 1807, Abdul Rahman, the enslaved son of King Ibrahima Sori of Futa Jallon, an independent nation in West Africa, came to the marketplace here to sell sweet potatoes and recognized a man he met 26 years earlier in 1781 at his father’s home in Timbo because he had a patch over one eye.”

The ceremony also featured remarks by Adams County Supervisor Warren Gaines, District 5; and Cheri Young Burkhalter, descendant of Dr. John Coates Cox, whose name appears on the marker.

Dr. Artemus Gaye, a descendant of the prince, was scheduled to speak, but could not attend the event. His remarks were presented by Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez and president of the Mississippi Historical Society.

Rev. Clifton Marvel, pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, gave the invocation and benediction.

“This historical marker of the prince is a testimonial on these grounds here at Jefferson College that freedom comes with responsibility,” said Gaye. “Freedom has in its letters: Fidelity, Respect, Earnestly, Encouragement, Duty, Obligation, and Mutuality.” 

Members of the Natchez Historical Society pose with the historical marker the society funded for Prince Ibrahima. From left are Albert King, Nicole Harris, Karen Hill, Daye Dearing and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III. Photo by Albert L. Jones (Click on image to enlarge.)

For Gaines, the ceremony was a proud moment. “It’s an honor to be here and be part of this,” he said, adding Ibrahima’s story is one of hope and resilience. “It’s an honor to have this (marker) in my district and in Adams County.”

Gaines said many of Ibrahima’s descendants live in his district.

Burkhalter, the 4th great-granddaughter of Cox, said she loves the story of how Cox and Ibrahima met.

“I follow God, and I read the word,” she said. “God’s hand is so clear in this story it is amazing. What are the chances that Dr. Cox’s life would be saved (in Africa), and what are the chances that Prince Ibrahima would at least be able to die as a free man in Africa. I love the kindness and respect shown by two generations of two families.”

Speaking further, she said, “In this crazy world full of greed and cruelty, two generation of two families tried to do the right thing. They were a good, descent, respectful, loving people, and I just love that.”

See more at this link: https://www.themississippimonitor.com/prince-ibrahima-honored-with-historical-marker-near-historic-jefferson-college/

A great day in Natchez, Mississippi!

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This marker was unveiled Friday, October 24, 2025, near Historic Jefferson College on the corner of Highway 61 North and Jefferson College Street. Many thanks to the Natchez Historical Society for hosting the ceremony and sponsoring the marker, which was acquired through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Photo by Lynsey Gilbert

Marker honoring Prince Ibrahima to be dedicated Oct. 24

A historical marker honoring Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, enslaved for 40 years near Natchez, will be dedicated on Oct. 24 at Historic Jefferson College, commemorating his remarkable legacy.

Roscoe Barnes III
Special to The Democrat

Published October 17, 2025

A historical marker honoring Prince Ibrahima will be dedicated Oct. 24 in Natchez. COURTESY PHOTO (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima (1762-1829), who was enslaved for 40 years on Thomas Foster’s plantation near Natchez, will be honored with a historical marker on Friday, October 24, near Historic Jefferson College.

 
A dedication ceremony hosted by the Natchez Historical Society, the sponsor of the marker, will be held at 11 a.m. on the corner of Highway 61 North and Jefferson College Street. The event is free to the public. Visitors are asked to bring their lawn chairs.
The marker will be the first in the Natchez-Adams County area that pays tribute to Ibrahima. It was acquired through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
 
“Prince Ibrahima's incredible life story and his quest for freedom reached the highest levels of the American government and deserves to be remembered in our history,” said Brother Rogers, MDAH historian and secretary-treasurer for the Mississippi Historical Society.
 
Karen Hill, past president of the society, said she is grateful to the Natchez Historical Society for agreeing to fund the marker and host the dedication ceremony. She said, “The story of Prince Ibrahima is an important part of Natchez-Adams County history that should not only be commemorated, but also preserved for our community, visitors, and future generations. His story has been told in books, films, and articles. Now a part of his story will be told through this historical marker.”

Michael Morris, director of The Two Museums — Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony for the placing of the marker honoring Prince Ibrahima. COURTESY PHOTO (Click on image to enlarge.)

Michael Morris, director of The Two Museums — Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony.
Morris is a graduate of Jackson State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in political science. While attending university, he worked at the Margaret Walker Center and Fannie Lou Hamer Institute on Citizenship and Democracy.

A recognized historian, Morris served on the commission tasked with commemorating the City of Jackson’s bicentennial in 2022. He has also written markers for the Mississippi Freedom Trail.

Morris was the Mississippi archivist for the “Our Story, Our Terms” civil rights project at Duke University. He now serves on the advisory board of the Mississippi Book Festival.

The dedication ceremony will feature remarks by Warren Gaines, District 5 Supervisor of Adams County; Dr. Artemus Gaye, seventh generation descendant of Prince Ibrahima; David Dreyer, local historian and genealogist; and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez and president of the Mississippi Historical Society.

Cheri Young Burkhalter, the 4th great-granddaughter of Dr. John Coates Cox, will share remarks about her family history and Ibrahima’s meeting with Cox in 1807 at the marketplace that was near Jefferson College. COURTESY PHOTO (Click on image to enlarge.)

Cheri Young Burkhalter, the 4th great-granddaughter of Dr. John Coates Cox, will share remarks about her family history and Ibrahima’s meeting with Cox in 1807 at the marketplace that was near Jefferson College.

Hill will serve as the master of ceremonies. Rev. Clifton Marvel, pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, will give the invocation, and Rev. LeRoy White, pastor of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, will give the benediction.

For more information, call 601-492-3004 or send email to Roscoe@visitnatchez.org.

Ibrahima historical marker a gift to Natchez

Top of the Morning column published in The Natchez Democrat (Wednesday, October 8, 2025, page 4A)

Natchez will honor Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima with its first historical marker dedicated to the enslaved African prince, celebrating his legacy at a ceremony near Jefferson College on Oct. 24.

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Top of the Morning

Ibrahima historical marker a gift to Natchez

 

By Roscoe Barnes III

 

The Natchez Historical Society is planning a dedication ceremony for a historical marker that will honor the legacy of Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima (1762-1829). The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, near Historic Jefferson College on the corner of Highway 61 and Jefferson College Street.
 
Natchez Historical Society is also the sponsor of the marker that was acquired through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
 
The marker will be the first one in the Natchez-Adams County area to honor the prince who was enslaved for 40 years on Thomas Foster’s plantation just outside of Natchez.
With that in mind, we could say that this dedication ceremony will be historic in more ways than one.
 
Gift to community
 
In October 2024, the society’s board members approved a donation of $3,420 to cover the cost of the marker. The total cost includes $2,670 for the marker and post, plus an additional $750 for a sign underneath that reads, “Sponsored by the Natchez Historical Society.”
 
Karen Hill, former president of the society, said the marker is an important gift to the Natchez-Adams County community and to the descendants of Ibrahima, many of whom still live in Natchez.
 
Ibrahima’s story is told in Dr. Terry Alford’s book, “Prince Among Slaves: The True Story of an African Prince Sold into Slavery in the American South” (Oxford University Press, 1977). Alford praised the society for its donation, its initiative, and the foresight it has shown to commemorate Ibrahima.
 
Ibrahima’s backstory
 
Ibrahima was a Muslim prince who said he was born in 1762 in Timbuktu, a city in the current western African country of Mali. He grew up in Timbo, Guinea, West Africa. His father, Ibrahima Sori, ruled as a political and religious leader in the Futa Jallon highlands of Guinea.
 
By the age of 26, Ibrahima became a colonel in his father’s army. In January 1788, he and his soldiers were returning home to celebrate a victory when they were ambushed by the Hebohs, a rival non-Muslim group that prevented Futa Jallon from trading with Europeans. Ibrahima was captured and sold to slave traders for two flasks of powder, a few trade muskets, eight hands of tobacco, and two bottles of rum.
 
 As a captive of the slave traders, Ibrahima sailed from West Africa to the West Indies and on to New Orleans, from where he sailed north on the Mississippi River to Natchez.
 
Ibrahima arrived in Natchez in August 1788 at the site that is known as Under-the-Hill. From there, he and his friend, Samba, who served under him in the military, were sold to a farmer named Thomas Foster for $930.
 
In 1791, Foster purchased a woman in her early 20s named Isabella. She and Ibrahima married on Christmas Day of 1794. The two of them welcomed nine children into their family: five sons and four daughters.
 
In 1803, Ibrahima met newspaper editor and printer Andrew Marschalk, who is today known as the “Father of Mississippi Journalism.” He would play a significant role in helping Ibrahima to gain his freedom.
 
Connection to Jefferson College
 
The area near Jefferson College was selected as the site for Ibrahima’s marker because of its connection to his story.
 
First, the land occupied by Jefferson College was donated by John Foster and James Foster, according to the National Register of Historic Places. Both men were brothers of Thomas Foster.
 
Second, it was in the area near the college that Ibrahima recognized Dr. John Coats Cox in 1807 at the market. Cox, an Irishman, had sailed to West Africa in 1781. After going ashore to hunt, he became lost and ill but was rescued by the Fulani people and taken to Timbo, where Ibrahima’s father cared for him.
 
After their chance meeting in Mississippi, the doctor tried for many years to purchase Ibrahima’s freedom, but Thomas Foster refused to release him. Even so, Ibrahima’s fame spread because of his meeting with Cox, and it eventually led to his freedom.
 
Finding freedom
 
In 1828, Ibrahima gained his freedom through the help of Natchez newspaper editor, Marschalk, and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Clay in President John Quincy Adams’ administration. Clay authorized Marschalk’s efforts to obtain Ibrahima’s freedom.
 
On Friday, Feb. 22, 1828, Thomas Foster delivered Ibrahima to Marschalk’s printing office along with a deed in trust for Ibrahima. Ibrahima was 66. Isabella’s freedom was later purchased for $200.
 
On April 8, 1828, Ibrahima and Isabella traveled with their family to the dock under the hill. They boarded the Neptune steamship and waved goodbye to their children, who remained enslaved. For several months after leaving Natchez, Ibrahima travelled to Washington, D.C., and Connecticut, among other places, on a fundraising campaign to help free his children. However, he came up short with his fundraising campaign.
 
In February 1829, he and Isabella sailed to Monrovia, Liberia, which the American Colonization Society had created as a home for formerly enslaved Africans. During their stay in Liberia, Ibrahima contracted a disease and died on July 6, 1829, at the age of 67. He never reached his homeland. Isabella remained in Liberia. Two of her sons later joined her.
 
--------------------
 

Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., is cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez.
 

Marker honoring Prince Ibrahima to be dedicated Oct. 24

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NATCHEZ, Miss. -- A historical marker honoring Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima (1762-1829) will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Friday, October 24, near Historic Jefferson College on the corner of Highway 61 North and Jefferson College Street. The ceremony is being organized by the Natchez Historical Society, the sponsor of the marker that was acquired through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Michael Morris, director of The Two Museums in Jackson, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony.

Ibrahima was a Muslim prince from West Africa who spent 40 years enslaved on Thomas Foster’s plantation near Washington before gaining his freedom. The marker will be the first in the Natchez-Adams County area that pays tribute to Ibrahima.

This event is free to the public. For more information, call 601-492-3004 or send email to Roscoe@visitnatchez.org.

Celebrating with Anne Moody’s brother

I'm here with the Rev. Fred Moody Jr., brother of Anne Moody. He's mentioned throughout "Coming of Age in Mississippi." Photo taken Monday, September 15, 2025, at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Centreville, Mississippi. Photo by Albert L. Jones (Click on image to enlarge.)

Anne Moody honored with Freedom Trail marker

by Mississippi Monitor | Sep 17, 2025 | Capital/River
By: Roscoe Barnes III, Visit Natchez

(Click on image to enlarge.)

A Mississippi Freedom Trail marker honoring Anne Moody now stands in front of the church she attended – and wrote about – in her memoir, “Coming of Age in Mississippi.’'

The marker, which was unveiled Monday, September 15, is located on the northside of Highway 24 at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 8755 Highway 24 East, Centreville. It is the first and only Freedom Trail marker installed in Wilkinson County.

About 80 people turned out for the ceremony that paid tribute to Moody as a civil rights activist, warrior for social justice, and respected author, whose memoir has remained in print since it was first published in December 1968.

Rev. Reginald M. Buckley, the guest speaker, said Moody’s Freedom Trail marker will stand as “a testimony of the importance of memory itself.”

“This marker is more than mere words inscribed upon metal,” Buckley said. He noted the marker is “a reminder, a storyteller, a sanctified witness that will speak to generations long after we have left this place.”

Rev. Fred Moody Jr., brother of Anne Moody, reads the inscription on the Mississippi Freedom Trail marker erected in her honor. The marker was unveiled in a ceremony Monday, September 15, at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Centreville. Fred Moody is mentioned throughout Anne Moody's "Coming of Age in Mississippi." Photo by Roscoe Barnes III (Click on image to enlarge.)

The day’s program, which was held at Mount Pleasant, featured music by the Mount Pleasant Church Choir and inspiring messages from prominent leaders that included the Rev. LeReginald Jones, pastor of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Donzell Lee, president of Tougaloo College; Rep. Angela Cockerham, District 96; Rev. Fred Moody Jr., brother of Anne Moody; Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, chief program officer at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center; John Spann, program and outreach officer at the Mississippi Humanities Council; Rev. Larry Lee, pastor of Winans Chapel C.M.E. Church; and Senator Gary L. Brumfield, District 38.
 
Members of Anne Moody’s family attended the program, along with elected officials, pastors from across the state, and visitors from Natchez.
 
Buckley said it is important to remember Anne Moody as a bold and brilliant storyteller. He said she was a teller of an inconvenient story and uncomfortable truth.
 
Anne Moody, he said, told a “story that pulled back the blood-soaked veil and exposed the heart-wrenching reality of life for black people in the American South, specifically, Mississippi. She told a story that was difficult to hear in a culture that was not welcoming of her voice, not receptive to her perspective and in many instances, not even caring of her truth.”
 
All of the presenters spoke about the importance of Anne Moody’s contribution to the state’s history.
 
Jones recounted the history of Mount Pleasant and its role in Anne Moody’s life. The church, he said, has been a place that served as a school and community center for Black families. It was also a place that helped to develop “some theological thought, birth agents of change, great preachers, and great orators, agents of change and justice, like our celebrated native daughter, Ms. Anne Moody.”
 
According to Donzell Lee, Anne Moody was “a young lady of tremendous courage and tremendous foresight, who put herself in harm’s way at the forefront of civil rights in her day.”
 
Cockerham commented on the inspirational elements of Anne Moody’s life.
 
“Miss Moody’s acts of love, faith, and courage, remind us that the best lies deep within us,” she said. “Her life serves as an example to embrace God’s purpose for our lives no matter how difficult the journey gets, because God is always with us, and I have no doubt in my mind that God created and anointed Miss Moody for such a time.”
 
Fred Moody, Anne Moody’s brother, is mentioned throughout her book, along with their sister, Adline Moody, whom Fred Moody introduced at the ceremony. Both he and Adline Moody expressed gratitude for the day’s program. Fred Moody drew laughs when he told how he burned down the family’s house as a child. The story is captured in “Coming of Age in Mississippi.”
 
Chamberlain, a former history professor at Tougaloo College, told of how Anne Moody’s memoir affected her personally. She said Anne Moody’s work helped her to see the past and present “a little clearer.”
 
“Her activism made me stand a lot taller,” she said. “Her bravery made me this quiet little Black girl in Columbus, Mississippi, be a little bolder. Anne Moody’s legacy has influenced more than just me. It has touched readers locally and readers from all around the world.”
 
Spann, representing the Mississippi Humanities Council, acknowledged the assistance of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson in securing federal funds for the Freedom Trail markers. He said because of Thompson’s help, among others, the markers are free to communities across the state. “We have more than doubled the size of the Freedom Trail, taking it from 30 to 64 in just two years,” he said.
 
Brumfield gave the closing remarks. He said Anne Moody presented a story that resonates with many people. “She gives me courage to think that she thought outside the box. It’s ok to be different as long as you are making a difference.”
 
The Freedom Trail markers are administered by the Mississippi Humanities Council, in partnership with Visit Mississippi. They commemorate the people and places in the state that played important roles in the American Civil Rights Movement.
 
See more at this link: https://www.themississippimonitor.com/anne-moody-honored-with-freedom-trail-marker/
 

Buckley to speak at ceremony honoring Anne Moody

He will be joined by Rep. Angela Cockerham and others

By Roscoe Barnes III

Rev. Reginald M. Buckley will be the special guest speaker at the unveiling ceremony for the Mississippi Freedom Trail marker honoring Anne Moody on Monday, September 15, in Centreville. Rep. Angela Cockerham is one of several prominent leaders who will speak at Monday's ceremony honoring Anne Moody.

CENTREVILLE, Miss. -- The Rev. Reginald M. Buckley, president of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi Inc., will be the guest speaker at the Mississippi Freedom Trail ceremony honoring Anne Moody.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 15 at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 8755 Highway 24 East. The event is free and open to the public.
 
A native of Jackson, Buckley is a graduate of Tougaloo College, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He is also a recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon fellowship. He holds a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
 
Buckley is the senior pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to having been inducted into the Tougaloo College Hall of Fame, he is a recipient of the Tougaloo Meritorious Leadership award. Buckley and his wife, Dr. Lecretia A. Buckley, are the parents of two children, Jonathan and Anna.
 
Dr. Donzell Lee, president of Tougaloo College, said he looks forward to participating in the program, which will be a first for Wilkinson County. Lee will share remarks about Moody, who became a civil rights activist while attending Tougaloo College in the early 1960s.
 
Other speakers will include the Rev. LeReginald Jones, pastor of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church; Rep. Angela Cockerham, District 96; Rev. Fred Moody Jr., brother of Anne Moody; Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, chief program officer at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center; John Spann, program and outreach officer at the Mississippi Humanities Council; Rev. Larry Lee, pastor of Winans Chapel C.M.E. Church; and Senator Gary L. Brumfield, District 38.
 
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III will serve as master of ceremonies. Barnes is the cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez and the president of the Mississippi Historical Society. Music will be provided by the Mount Pleasant Church Choir.
 
Organizers say they are excited about the list of speakers, all of whom continue to make a difference in Mississippi’s history. They are also helping to preserve Moody’s legacy.
 
In 2018, Cockerham sponsored House Bill 1153 that resulted in Highway 24 -- between Woodville and Centreville -- being named the Anne Moody Memorial Highway. Cockerham’s bill was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate, without any “nay” votes recorded. Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill into law on March 8, 2018.
 
In May 2025, Buckley reported how Moody would be honored by the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi Inc. He announced the Women’s Auxiliary building at Natchez College will be home to the Anne Moody Interpretive Center. The center will feature historic documents, artifacts, and memorabilia.

Buckley said, “Moody’s time spent at Natchez College was formative in her development as a writer and activist as she discovered her agency to confront and speak to issues. Establishing the Anne Moody Interpretive Center at the Baptist Heritage and Arts Center at Natchez College will help to keep Moody’s spirit of agency and activism alive for future generations to be inspired.”
 
Moody was a civil rights activist and the author of “Coming of Age in Mississippi.” She was born and raised in Centreville, a town that she features in her book. She also wrote about her time as a student at Natchez College.
 
In September 2017, the town of Centreville held a celebration that included a proclamation for Anne Moody Day and a resolution for renaming Fort Street, Anne Moody Street. The celebration was organized by the Anne Moody History Project, an organization that was founded at the MTC-operated Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville.
 
Moody died in 2015 at the age 74.
 
 

Important Reminder!

 Anne Moody event only a few days away!

Anne Moody, author of “Coming of Age in Mississippi,” will be honored with a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker at 10 a.m. Monday, September 15 at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 8755 Highway 24 East. The event is free to the public.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Natchez Screening of Ken Burns’ ‘American Revolution’ set for September 25

David Schmidt, left, Sarah Botstein, and Ken Burns are the directors of "The American Revolution" documentary series. Credit: Stephanie Berger. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- Mississippi Public Broadcasting, in partnership with Visit Natchez, is inviting the public to view a 40-minute screener of Ken Burns' "American Revolution.” The viewing will be followed by a discussion led by Jim Wiggins, retired instructor of History at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
 
The event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 25, at the Visit Natchez at The Depot Visitor Center at 200 N. Broadway St. It is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.
 
The six-part, 12-hour documentary film will premiere on Sunday, November 16 on PBS, and air for six consecutive nights through Friday, November 21.
 
The film explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence.
 
“The American Revolution is one of the most important events in human history,” said Burns. “We went from being subjects to inventing a new concept, citizens, and set in motion democratic revolutions around the globe. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding, I’m hopeful that people throughout the country will come together to discuss the importance of this history and to appreciate even more what our ancestors did to secure our liberty and freedoms.”
 
“The American Revolution” was directed and produced by Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, and written by collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward.
 
For more information on the viewing, send email to Roscoe Barnes III at Roscoe@visitnatchez.org
 

Unveiling of Anne Moody’s Freedom Trail marker set for September 15

By Roscoe Barnes III, Visit Natchez

Mississippi Monitor | Aug 22, 2025 | Capital/River

 

Anne Moody
(Click on image to enlarge.)

The late Anne Moody, author of “Coming of Age in Mississippi,” will soon be honored with a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker in her hometown of Centreville.

The marker will be unveiled in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, September 15 at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 8755 Highway 24 East. The event is free to the public.

Frances Jefferson, Moody’s sister, said she and her family are elated about the marker.

“I’m very excited for the unveiling of the Freedom Trail marker on September 15, Anne’s 85th birthday,” she said. “I’m grateful to everyone involved in securing this honor for my sister.”

The Freedom Trail markers are administered by the Mississippi Humanities Council, in partnership with Visit Mississippi. The markers honor the courage and dedication of local leaders and activists whose actions helped shape the fight for freedom and justice. They commemorate the people and places in the state that played important roles in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Moody made sacrifices and risked her life in her fight for civil rights for African Americans. She suffered mob violence and endured multiple incarcerations in her efforts to bring about change. Known as a fearless activist, Moody participated in sit-ins, non-violent protests, voter registration drives, and bold efforts to dismantle segregation across the state.

Moody died at her home in Gloster on February 5, 2015. She was 74.

“Coming of Age in Mississippi,” her memoir, remains a seminal work, illuminating the harsh realities of growing up as a poor Black girl in the Jim Crow South. Her book was first published in December 1968 and remains in print to this day.

As for the location of the Freedom Trail marker, Jefferson said the Mount Pleasant church is the perfect place. She said Moody attended the church along with her family. Moody was also baptized in a pond near the church, and her gravesite, along with those of her mother, father, and other family members, are located in the cemetery in front of the church.

Moody also wrote about Mount Pleasant in her book, where she mentioned active members of the church. In addition to her pastor, the Rev. Robert J. Tyson Sr., whose portrait is currently displayed in the church, Moody wrote about Sister Jones, whose full name is Edna Lee Bland Jones. Sister Jones was the great-grandmother of the Rev. LeReginald Jones, the current pastor of the church.

LeReginald Jones is proud of the church’s history and the connection it has to Anne Moody. When asked about the Freedom Trail marker, he quoted President Barack Obama, who said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

“I think this quote epitomizes the life and legacy of Anne Moody,” said LeReginald Jones. “She didn’t wait for someone else. She stepped up and made a difference, and now some 50-plus years later, we remember her legacy.

“We celebrate her legacy, and we as a community are proud to be a part of our native daughter’s story. We’re also proud to have this marker placed permanently at the place that helped Anne to become the freedom fighter that we now admire. We perpetually thank her for her service, boldness, and determination to see a more just and humane society.”

In addition to LeReginald Jones, the unveiling ceremony will feature a number of prominent speakers, including the Rev. Fred Moody Jr., Anne Moody’s brother; Rep. Angela Cockerham; and Senator Gary Brumfield.

Other participants on the program include John Spann, program and outreach officer at Mississippi Humanities Council; the Rev. Larry Lee pastor of Winans Chapel C.M.E. Church; and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, who will serve as master of ceremonies.

The program will also feature music by the Mount Pleasant choir.

For more information on the unveiling ceremony, call Roscoe Barnes III at 601-492-3004 or John Spann at 601-432-6752.

See more here: https://www.themississippimonitor.com/unveiling-of-anne-moodys-freedom-trail-marker-set-for-september-15/

Bluff City Savings Bank (1906-1913), Natchez's first and only Black-owned bank

Eric Berry, left, and Roscoe Barnes III
(Click on image to enlarge.)

We were all excited to meet with Eric Berry last Friday at the Natchez Manor Bed-and-Breakfast, where Mayor Dan Gibson presented him with a historical marker for the Bluff City Savings Bank. Berry and his family are the owners of Natchez Manor. Berry said he was “pleasantly surprised” to learn that the rear addition to their business actually rests on the site that was used by the bank. Bluff City Savings (1906 to 1913) was Natchez’s only Black-owned bank. Berry is a former NFL football player. He played as a safety with the Kansas City Chiefs. Note: A QR code will be attached to the marker to provide detailed information the bank's history.

From left, Dora Hawkins, Jacqulyn Williams, Eric Berry, and Thelma Newsome
(Click on image to enlarge.)

Natchez celebrates history of Bluff City Savings Bank

By Roscoe Barnes III
Natchez, MS, USA / ListenUpYall.com
Aug 8, 2025 | 3:02 PM

Mayor Dan Gibson recently presented a historical marker to Eric Berry that honors the legacy of the Bluff City Savings Bank, Natchez's only Black-owned bank. From left are Dora Hawkins, Jacqulyn Williams, Berry, Gibson, Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, and Thelma Newsome. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The former site of Bluff City Savings Bank, the only Black-owned bank in Natchez, now has a historical marker that honors the history of the bank, which operated from 1906 to 1913 at 119 N. Union St.
 
Mayor Dan Gibson on Friday presented the marker on behalf of the City of Natchez to Eric Berry, who co-owns the Natchez Manor Bed and Breakfast, 600 Franklin St., with his family. Gibson said the marker will be mounted at a later date on the side of the Natchez Manor building.
 
The historical site is now part of the city’s Self-Guided African American History tour, which has a total of 30 sites. The marker was a joint project of the city and NAPAC museum with assistance from Visit Natchez.
 
The bank’s original building, which no longer exists, was located on the north side of the three-story building on North Union that once served as a fire station. Today, that space is occupied by the rear addition to the Natchez Manor, facing North Union.
 
Berry, a former NFL football player, said he was surprised and very pleased to learn about his building’s connection to the Bluff City Savings Bank.
 
“I feel like I’m a part of history and upholding the history, legacy, and heritage of Natchez,” he said. “When I got the notice that this was the first Black bank in the city, it was a pleasant surprise to me. I’ve been doing research all over the country and all over the Southeast. Discovering this history has been liberating. I’m excited to be part of it.”
 
Gibson said the story of the bank is a significant piece of Natchez’s history. He noted Dr. John Bowman Banks, the city’s first Black physician, played an important role in the founding of the bank. “Dr. Banks obviously was a pillar of our community and indeed a trail blazer,” Gibson said. “It was his vision to create this bank.”
 
The history of Dr. Banks is regularly shared at the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, which is owned and operated by Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Representatives of the museum attended Friday’s presentation to show their support for the new marker. The representatives included Dora Hawkins, Thelma Newsome, and Jacquelyn Williams.
 
Bluff City Savings Bank was founded by a group of prominent Black men with backgrounds in medicine, business, and education. In addition to Dr. Banks and Dr. Dumas, the co-founders included Professor J.R. Ross, Professor George Washington Brumfield, Professor Samuel H. Owens, and Walton Barland.
 
The bank’s opening occurred at a critical time for Blacks, who were living under Jim Crow. It was one of nine Black-owned banks in Mississippi.
 
“Bluff City became an important source of small, short-term loans,” wrote Shennette Garrett-Scott in the publication, “’All the Other Devils this Side of Hades’: Black Banks and the Mississippi Banking Law of 1914” (Cambridge University Press, Jan. 12, 2022). “Farmers, for example, could get $40 or $50 using their mule, livestock, and farm equipment as collateral.”
 
Page Ogden, a retired banking professional, described Bluff City as a “fairly loaned up bank as reflected in the ratio of its loan deposits in their statement of condition.” He said it was a small bank that most likely focused on loans for houses and other consumer type loans. “It was all about the business of supplying the local needs in the black population,” he said.
 
The bank closed in 1913. In the January 1914 issue of The Crisis, the magazine reported:
 
“Bluff City Savings Bank, of Natchez, Miss., a colored enterprise, has been closed. The bank is not insolvent, but the failure of a white bank in the same town caused a run upon the colored bank, and it was closed until the property in which the money was invested could be converted into cash.”
 
Ogden said the fear in 1913 was understandable given the times. “In those days, there was no FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation),” he said. “Mississippi was primarily a rural state and there was a lot of suspicion of banks to begin with. Scares were common.”
 
Mimi Miller, executive director emerita of Historic Natchez Foundation, said the bank “went into receivership and Dr. Dumas acted as the receiver to make sure that investors got back their money and that loan defaults were properly executed, and the properties resold.”
 
Note: An article on the bank titled, “This History is Important: Remembering the Bluff City Savings Bank,” appeared in the July/Aug 2023 issue of Natchez Magazine.

See more at this link: https://listenupyall.com/2025/08/08/natchez-honors-history-of-bluff-city-savings-bank/

Marker approved for Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade

By Roscoe Barnes III

Natchez, MS, USA / ListenUpYall.com
Aug 5, 2025 | 12:15 PM

A marker commemorating the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade, formerly called the 30th of May Parade, has been approved by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The marker will be posted at 639 S. Canal St., in front of the Holiday Inn Express. Its precise location is indicated by the red circle. Photo: Google Street View, Image capture: August 2024 (c) 2025 Google (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. – A historical marker honoring the 30th of May Parade, which is now known as the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade, has been approved by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The parade is one of the longest running Memorial Day traditions in the United States.
 
"The 30th of May Parade is an important tradition in Natchez. I look forward to the marker dedication ceremony that will fit well with our state's celebration of all things patriotic for America250,” said Brother Rogers, MDAH historian and secretary-treasurer for the Mississippi Historical Society.
 
The marker will be installed at 639 S. Canal St., in front of the Holiday Inn Express and across the street from the Natchez Visitor Center, where the parade participants stop on their way to the Natchez National Cemetery. Its precise location will be the grassy strip on the east side of Canal near the Holiday Inn parking lot. Installation date is set for early 2026.
 
"We are so grateful to finally be giving this longstanding tradition it's due,” said Mayor Dan Gibson. “Even before I became mayor, I have been honored to participate in this annual observance. It is not only one of the very oldest continuing Memorial Day rituals in the country, but it has become an event we as a community look forward to each year, both Black and white. And how fitting that something that began as a tribute to our U.S. Colored Troops has become a regional celebration of all who served in every conflict to keep America the 'land of the free and the home of the brave'."
 
The Memorial Day parade, which started in the late 1800s, was originally held on May 30. “We named it the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade because we wanted to keep Vidalia and Natchez together,” said Laura Ann Jackson, who chairs the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade Committee. “We wanted everyone involved to be united.”
 
Jackson said that while she has chaired the committee for more than 15 years, she was part of the committee for a number of years before her current position. Also, she added, she has been involved with the parade since the age of five. “When I was five years old, I marched with Army veteran Jimmy Williams of Vidalia,” she said.
 
From its earlier days, and before the original Natchez-Vidalia Bridge was built in 1940, parade participants sailed from Vidalia on a ferry to Silver Street. From there, they marched to the Natchez National Cemetery, where a ceremony was held to honor the deceased military service members.
 
After the bridge was built, hundreds of participants began their trek at the foot of the Louisiana side of the bridge and crossed over to Natchez. The tradition now includes a stop at the Natchez Visitor Center at 640 S. Canal, where the participants rest for 30 minutes before proceeding to the cemetery.
 
Jackson said she and her committee are happy about the marker.
 
“I want to thank all of the people, including MDAH, Mayor Dan Gibson, and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III of Visit Natchez, who made this happen, because it’s been a long time coming, and it is well deserved,” she said. “This marker is not just for one group of people. It’s for everybody.”
 

The idea for the marker originated with filmmaker James Theres, the executive producer and director of the film, “The 30th of May” (2016). He said in 2024 that it was time to honor the people – and the Memorial Day tradition -- by erecting a marker that gives them the recognition they deserve.

See more at this link:
https://listenupyall.com/2025/08/05/marker-approved-for-miss-lou-memorial-day-parade/

Medgar Evers’ 100th Birthday Celebration in Natchez, Mississippi

Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, Moderator of Panel Discussion
(Click on image to enlarge.)

I was honored to serve as moderator for the wonderful and engaging panel discussion on Medgar Evers on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. The program was presented by the Natchez Branch of the NAACP in collaboration with the Natchez Business and Civic League, the museum, and Visit Natchez. About 70 people turned out for the event.

Group photo: Panelists included, from left, Dr. Marcus Ward, Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, Dr. Tracy M. Cook, and Olivia Spann.

Photos by KD-Public Relations
 

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Markeith Thompson awarded $1,000 scholarship by Hugh Green Scholarship Foundation

By Roscoe Barnes III
The Natchez Democrat
Published 2:18 pm Thursday, July 10, 2025
 

The Hugh Green Scholarship Foundation recently honored Markeith Thompson as the 2025 recipient of its $1,000 scholarship. From left are Wilbur Johnson, Hugh Green, Thompson, Laura Jackson, and Eva Dunkley. Thompson is a 2025 graduate of Natchez High School. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Markeith Thompson, 2025 graduate of Natchez High School, is the 2025 recipient of a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the Hugh Green Scholarship Foundation. 

Hugh Green, a retired College Football Hall of Famer and NFL football standout and the namesake of the award, recently met with Thompson on the Bluff and presented him with the scholarship. 

Green is a native of Natchez and graduate of North Natchez High School. He and Thompson were joined by Thompson’s family and friends, and members of the Hugh Green Scholarship Foundation.

The foundation committee members included Eva Dunkley, president; Wilbur Johnson, secretary; and Laura Jackson, treasurer. 

Jackson said the award is an athletic scholarship presented each year to deserving students from all local high schools who plan to attend college or university. 

“Thompson was a track star who has been running track since middle school,” Jackson said. He plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. “This award is a stipend to help him with his finances,” she said.

In June, The Natchez Democrat reported Thompson was named the 2024-25 Gatorade State Player of the Year, which capped “off a record-breaking season and securing his place as one of the top athletes in the state of Mississippi.”

Thompson said he was happy to receive the Hugh Green scholarship. “I’m very thankful,” he said. “This will help me a lot in getting the essential needs for college.” 

Thompson said he will major in business marketing. The 17-year-old is the son of Alexis Davis and the grandson of Marva Gaylor. He said he is grateful to them for their support over the years, as well as the support of his aunts, Amber Davis and Victoria Gaylor.

Thompson also offered special thanks to his Amateur Athletic Union coach, Eddie Ray Jackson, and his high school coaches, Kelly Thomas and Veronica Green. 

The Hugh Green Scholarship Foundation was created over 30 years ago by a group of local men who wanted to help students with their education, according to Jackson. She said it was organized by the late George A. Dunkley. 

Last year’s recipient of the award was Ceairra Franklin, who also attends the University of Southern Mississippi, where she is studying to become a licensed laboratory technician. 

Green was a 1976 graduate of North Natchez High School. He was a linebacker for the University of Pittsburg Panthers from 1977 through 1980. He finished second in the 1980 Heisman Trophy voting to winner George Rogers of the University of South Carolina. 

Green was the seventh pick in the NFL draft in 1981, taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1985, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for their first- and second-round draft picks in the 1986 draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL. 

Green was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, in 1996.

Read more at: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2025/07/10/markeith-thompson-awarded-1000-scholarship-by-hugh-green-scholarship-foundation/

Natchez community celebrates Medgar Evers' 100th birthday

The slain civil rights leader was honored by panel discussion and film

By Roscoe Barnes III

Participants in the panel discussion on Medgar Evers included, from left, Dr. Marcus Ward, Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, Dr. Tracy M. Cook, and Olivia Spann. Dr. Roscoe Barnes III served as moderator. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- A recent panel discussion on slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers presented him as a family man, a fearless leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and a thriving student at Alcorn State University, where his legacy is recognized to this day.

 
About 70 people attended the event where they heard discussions about Ever’s family, his investigative work on civil rights cases throughout Mississippi, as well his -- and Myrlie Evers’ -- time at Alcorn.
 
Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, president of Natchez NAACP, said she was excited about the panel discussion, and she praised all of the participants. She said she was also happy to see the turnout for the program.
 
Flora Terrell, co-publisher of The Bluff City Post, said the panel discussion was engaging and thought-provoking. “The Moderator, Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, presented the topics and the well-versed panelists showed enthusiasm and made the audience know just who Medgar Wiley Evers was,” she said. “I left the event feeling uplifted and grateful for all those who fought so hard that we may have the ‘right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’”  
 
The panel discussion was held Tuesday, July 1, at NAPAC Museum. It was one of two programs held in Natchez as a celebration of Medgar Evers’ 100th birthday. The second program, which included a showing of the film, “The Evers” by filmmaker Loki Mulholland, was held on Wednesday, July 2, at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
 
The two-day event was titled, “A Centennial Celebration of the Life and Work of Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963).” It was presented by the Natchez Branch of the NAACP in collaboration with the Natchez Business and Civic League, NAPAC Museum, and Visit Natchez.
 
Medgar Evers worked as the first NAACP field secretary in Mississippi. He was assassinated on June 12, 1963, at his home, which he shared with his wife, Myrlie, and their children, in Jackson.
 
Ben Tucker, a retired Army veteran, was one of many people who said he enjoyed the panel discussion. “I think it was well organized,” he said. “The moderator did an excellent job, and the presentations were set up really well, which made it possible for all the panelists to get engaged. There were good questions and the panelists answered them by providing information that was of interest to the audience."
 
Tucker said the panelists held everyone’s attention.
 
The panelists included Olivia Spann, supervisory park ranger at the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Jackson and two Alcorn administrators: Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, interim dean of the Alcorn State University School of Nursing; and Dr. Marcus Ward, senior vice-president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation at Alcorn State University.
 
Dr. Tracy M. Cook, president of Alcorn, also joined the panel. He commented on Medgar Evers’ bravery and sacrifice, describing him as a “remarkable individual.”
 
“As a leader, so often individuals want the title and the money, but not the responsibility,” Cook said. “We’re talking about an individual who took on that responsibility, spending so much time away from his family. … I get security escorts when I go to different places, I have a security detail, but think about an individual traveling up and down that dangerous highway, knowing that every day could be his last day. But he did it for a common goal, for a better way of life and opportunity for his kids.”
 
As moderator of the panel discussion, Barnes, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, presented the panelists with a list of pre-prepared questions on Medgar Evers’ life and legacy. He also invited questions from the audience.
 
Spann talked about Medgar Evers investigative work on several civil rights cases, including the 1955 murders of Emmitt Till and the Rev. George W. Lee. She said he also assisted James Meredith in 1962 in his effort to enroll at the University of Mississippi.
 
Spann mentioned a colorful anecdote about Medgar Evers having his car “souped up” so he could speed out of town when faced with danger.
 
Spann said Medgar Evers was a busy man and always on the road. He even tried to integrate the beaches on the Gulf Coast, she said. People should know that this civil rights leader was a young man with his own family, she said, stressing he was only 36 when he was assassinated.
 
“It’s important to know that he was out doing his work, working the cases, and working with widows and these mothers while his own young wife was at home raising their three children just so he could try and create a better world for them,” Spann said.
 
Ward focused on Medgar and Myrlie Evers’ time as students at Alcorn, which was previously named Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College. In addition to sharing the actual 1951 yearbook that Medgar Evers edited at Alcorn, Ward discussed how he and Myrlie began dating and fell in love.
 
Medgar Evers was a business major, along with his brother, Charles, and they both were very athletic, he said. Ward also outlined the many ways in which the Evers’ legacy is recognized at Alcorn, including the erection of a monument in his honor.
 
Evers-Manly, a cousin of Medgar Evers, spoke about his courage and commitment to the cause of civil rights and human rights, and how he and his brother, Charles, were inspired by their parents to be fearless in the face of danger.
 
The Evers family was one of pride, strength, and compassion, according to Evers-Manly. She noted the children in the family grew up learning about strategies and the struggle for freedom and civil rights. She said the philosophy of fighting for a good cause was instilled in the family.
 
Near the end of the program, Mulholland shared remarks by Zoom about his film, “The Evers.” He asked the audience to remember Medgar Evers’ final words, “Turn me loose.” Medgar shared those words as he was being taken to the hospital after being shot.
 
“In this time that we are in and trials that we are facing, those words seem to resonate with people,” Mulholland said. “I think when those of us who truly believe in the America that Medgar dreamed of and believe in the freedom that he was fighting for, pray that we all have that same spirit and that we say inside of ourselves, ‘Turn me loose’ and ‘Let me get to work.’”