This website highlights our unique stories as Black citizens of Newton County, Mississippi.

When Newton County was organized in 1836, our ancestors played a vital role in its development.

The foundation of Newton County was laid by the efforts of enslaved people, whose hard work and dedication contributed significantly to the region’s growth. Families who amassed wealth and passed it down to their descendants were able to do so only through the labor of enslaved individuals, making their contributions indispensable to the economic and social fabric of the community.

Yet, the stories of these enslaved people remain concealed and often overlooked. Their names are absent from newspapers, books, and even census records prior to 1870, leaving a glaring gap in our historical narrative. The lives of these individuals, filled with struggle, resilience, and strength, are typically absent from mainstream discussions about our past. Their gravesites lie neglected and forsaken, overgrown with bushes and obscured by roads and buildings, as if their identities and contributions to society were inconsequential. This neglect underscores a broader societal tendency to erase the significant impact that enslaved individuals had on the development of our communities.

This website was created to document and honor the stories of those who have been silenced.

Our mission is to reclaim their gravesites, restoring their dignity and rightful place in history. We aim to appreciate the contributions they have made to the establishment of Newton County, recognize their identity, and celebrate their unique culture and family traditions. Through our efforts, we hope to bring attention to the importance of remembering and acknowledging the past, ensuring that these stories are told and heard.

Our commitment extends beyond mere documentation; it is also about fostering a deeper understanding of how these narratives have shaped the present. Their unique stories and names are significant. Our aim is to share these narratives so that their descendants can gain a deeper understanding of their identities, the origins of their names, the meanings behind those names, and how they became linked to this region known as Newton County, Mississippi. By illuminating these histories, we hope to empower future generations to take pride in their heritage, reclaim their narratives, and bear witness to the resilience of their ancestors. Through this project, we reaffirm that every story matters, and that the legacies of those who came before us continue to resonate in our lives.