Celebrating Juneteenth - Discovering Miles and Polly Hill

Juneteenth

150^th anniversary commemorating the end of slavery in the United States

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. ⁽¹⁾

As the wars were raging between the states, it was also occurring in Chickasaw County, MS where my family resided as slaves.

According to the history of the county, the war years were particularly bitter for the people there.  Although spared the constant presence of hostilities due to the war, I’m sure my family was anxious for victory to be won.

Although I do not have family stories on what life was like during the Civil War I can only imagine the fear and anxiety of the slaves as they try to continue on with their lives. 

After the war, the county suffered greatly.  History of Chickasaw states, the plight of the newly freed blacks was more serious than that of the county’s white residents.  No longer slaves, they had to assume responsibility for their own needs and well being.  They were handicapped by their inability to read, write and get on their feet. ⁽²⁾

Many of the former slaves entered into contracts with their former slave owners.  I was able to find some of my ancestors listed on Labor Contracts with their former owners.

Littleton Hill was the slave owner to one of my paternal 2^nd great grandmothers – Josephine Hill as well as her parents (3^rd great grandparents).

Listed on the Freedman Labor Contract in 1865 for one year are my 3^rd great grandparents, Miles & Polly Hill and my 2^nd great grandmother, Josephine Hill and her brother Berry Hill.  Miles and Polly had five children – Josephine, Berry, Alex, Frank, and Cinderella.  Only the older two children were listed on the Freedman Labor Contract.

Name	Age	County	Planter	Plantation	Date	Contract No.	Roll No.
Berry	12	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Josephine	12	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Caroline	14	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Emily	16	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Cicely	30	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Bittie	65	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Winnie	30	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Harritt	22	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Cely	35	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Polly	40	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Aggy	50	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Laura	25	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Milly	28	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Hannah	60	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Dave	20	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Reuben	19	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Burrell	22	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Haywood	27	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Booker	33	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Monroe	33	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
John	40	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Miles	45	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
Joe	52	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574
George	50	Chickasaw	Hill, Littleton		09/04/1865	484	2574

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Through this branch, my great grandmother America Doss derived.  Through oral history and research along with DNA confirmation, I have connected with descendants from two of her siblings (Frank Doss, Sr and Emily Doss).  Through their struggles and endurance I am here today.

⁽¹⁾        History of Juneteenth -- http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

⁽²⁾        History of Chickasaw County, MS – Volume 1

⁽³⁾        Freedman Bureau Labor Contract – Chickasaw County, MS