Before I left the library I went back to the counter seeking information about this untold story. After asking my question, the man behind the counter candidly ask me a question, " Why do you want to know about this woman?" Ok I thought this was odd coming from a person who works at the library. My inside voice said," Isn't this a place where a person can seek knowledge? Just for moment I thought I was in another city. But I forgot this type of stuff happens in New Orleans.
I quickly said in a direct way, "To my knowledge I don't recall reading in high school books on African American history mention a color woman own a plantation in New Orleans, Louisiana. That's why! I said.
In a firm voice he replied, "She was my great great grandmother." I'm looking at him saying to myself, "Lord, this is going to be good story because this man is white as a lamb."
He goes on to give me little bit of information about his great great grandfather's plantation. Truthfully by the conversation I having with him, I believe he was more interest of knowing his great great grandfather side of the family and his misfortunes. I felt he really wasn't interested in the African American side of the family at all. But the information he gather on his great great grandmother being a slave from Virginia was the start to my journey of finding a Cerole Queen.
Not only this was a sad moment to know he wasn't interest in knowing a piece of American history left to discover. No doubt there's a beautiful story here of his great great grandmother being loved by his great great grandfather.
And the story get more interesting as I walk over two blocks to City Hall to the Historic District Landmarks Commission. You won't believe what I found out next.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Inspire To Know More
As I continue to read the book, I realize how much history Uptown district possess in New Orleans. Maybe that's why I like to ride the tolley car looking at the beautiful homes displaying a throw back moment in history of love and hate. I look slowly at the marvelously rich architect of the homes inside the book that also capture the same essence of love and hate too.
As I turn one page after another page the words inside the book bounce on me like a jaguar which had stop me in my track to read these words, "Even free women of color participate in this economic feminization. Winnefred (Winny) Hubbard a free black, commanded a considerable fortune. Although illiterate (she signed all documents with an X) Winnfred Hubbard owned Peachtree Orchard Plantation on Bayou Barataria and a house, now replaced, on Prytania Street."
Not only these words shook my soul like bag of chicken to be fried. My soul stood still reading about a African American woman owned large amount of property known as a plantation but she didn't have any type of former education.
Ok! where was this information listed inside the Louisiana History books when I attended school as little girl.
Wow! I tried my best to not stare at the book with amazement that someone would realized I just found a piece of gold relating to Louisiana history which have been missing for years. I knew in my soul it was time to tell the life story of Mrs.Winnefred Hubbard.
So, I was inspire to know more about this Cerole Queen who command over a large amount of land when history dictates color people were property and their value worth as human was the same as livestock.
As I turn one page after another page the words inside the book bounce on me like a jaguar which had stop me in my track to read these words, "Even free women of color participate in this economic feminization. Winnefred (Winny) Hubbard a free black, commanded a considerable fortune. Although illiterate (she signed all documents with an X) Winnfred Hubbard owned Peachtree Orchard Plantation on Bayou Barataria and a house, now replaced, on Prytania Street."
Not only these words shook my soul like bag of chicken to be fried. My soul stood still reading about a African American woman owned large amount of property known as a plantation but she didn't have any type of former education.
Ok! where was this information listed inside the Louisiana History books when I attended school as little girl.
Wow! I tried my best to not stare at the book with amazement that someone would realized I just found a piece of gold relating to Louisiana history which have been missing for years. I knew in my soul it was time to tell the life story of Mrs.Winnefred Hubbard.
So, I was inspire to know more about this Cerole Queen who command over a large amount of land when history dictates color people were property and their value worth as human was the same as livestock.
First Introduction
After being back in New Orleans to start a business and finish my associate degree, I decided to make the uptown district a resting spot to finish my goals down in the Big Easy. Sweet, bitter smell of the city made me feel ease at the same time adventurous.
On a bright sunny day I felt like being adventurous so I went downtown to main library to investigate my family tree.
Well, I arrive at the Main Library on 219 Loyola Avenue on a Friday afternoon. As I enter the building I was looking around seeing the effects Katrina left on the library. I headed to the third floor to Genealogy department. The evaluator stop with a bounce announcing to me this is your stop.
I step off looking around for the first time being on the third floor. I walk toward the books but was greeted by eyes of curiosity. Why is she here?, What is she looking for on this floor? She looks to young to be interest in her family history or history general. Only if those eyes knew that I was history buff. By the way history, art and music was my best subjects in high school and English too.
By now I'm searching for any kind of books that could tell me more about the famous UPTOWN DISTRICT. Unfortunately, I didn't find any books located on the shelves.
So I went straight back to those puzzling eyes to ask where could I find more publications on the Uptown district. An colorless stiren male walk to the shelves behind the counter to come back with a book. And this when my journey started...
On a bright sunny day I felt like being adventurous so I went downtown to main library to investigate my family tree.
Well, I arrive at the Main Library on 219 Loyola Avenue on a Friday afternoon. As I enter the building I was looking around seeing the effects Katrina left on the library. I headed to the third floor to Genealogy department. The evaluator stop with a bounce announcing to me this is your stop.
I step off looking around for the first time being on the third floor. I walk toward the books but was greeted by eyes of curiosity. Why is she here?, What is she looking for on this floor? She looks to young to be interest in her family history or history general. Only if those eyes knew that I was history buff. By the way history, art and music was my best subjects in high school and English too.
By now I'm searching for any kind of books that could tell me more about the famous UPTOWN DISTRICT. Unfortunately, I didn't find any books located on the shelves.
So I went straight back to those puzzling eyes to ask where could I find more publications on the Uptown district. An colorless stiren male walk to the shelves behind the counter to come back with a book. And this when my journey started...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)