Historical Context & Background

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We recognize that the sacred land that was called Plum Pointe was occupied by the Chikashsha I̠yaakni’ (Chickasaw) and O-ga-xpa Ma-zhoⁿ (O-ga-xpa)(Quapawwe), and was confiscated by European interlopers over 500 years ago who used glory, God,and greed to justify their actions. We pay our respect to the indigenous Elders, past and present, who have stewarded this land of where our ancestors were born and through generations of suffering. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of this land.

Dr. Angela Clark Louque and Dr. Mary Texiera Professors,

California State University, San Bernardino

LABOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We pay homage to those who were stolen from Africa, placed in bondage, falsely named as chattel, and forced into labor, who were called “slaves,” but never submitted as such, who have always been fully human, with an unbroken connection to the Divine and to each other. We honor our African Ancestors for the still-unpaid labor which built what is now the Americas. To both our Indigenous and African forebears, we commit to the continued struggle for liberation and reparations, for it is only through freedom and justice that we truly give honor.

Written by Professor Melina Abdullah - -

California State University, Los Angeles -

California Faculty Association-African American Caucus

FAMILY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This book(let) is a labor of love from the many descendants, relatives, and friends of the Bridgforth families. As a Bridgforth descendant, I am proud of who we are, and what we are becoming. We acknowledge and honor all of those ancestors who persevered through unprecedented cruelty and terror, unimaginable circumstances and choices, and yet they survived. We are committed as descendants to use our talents, knowledge, and voices to uplift with respect, the bravery and brilliance of THE BRIDGFORTH FAMILY.

Professor Angela Clark Louque

California State University, San Bernardino

Leading While Female Icon

Stonewall and Arilla’s Granddaughter

Descendant of Martha Steward

Land Territories-Chikashsha I̠yaakni’ (Chickasaw)

O-ga-xpa Ma-zhoⁿ (O-ga-xpa) (Quapaw)

Resource: https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/chickasaw/#related-maps

These are the territories owned by Indigenous families in the 1800’s. The Bridgforth families settled in this region

Historical Context

We’ve all read about the lives of African American enslaved people and how the brutal realities of labor existed in the U.S., especially in Southern states like Mississippi. Our oldest known ancestor Martha Steward, was born into this system. As an African American enslaved woman during this period, most likely her daily activities were constant reminders of the harshness of slavery and the dehumanizing conditions that individuals faced. Systemic oppression ran rampant as human beings were subjected to grueling and unfair labor, no basic human rights and severe restrictions on personal freedoms. Black women in Mississippi in the 1830s were dominated by the demands of the enslavers. Starting their days well before dawn, either in the fields picking cotton or in the house cooking, cleaning, laundering, and taking care of the enslaver’s children. Like other enslaved persons, she was probably not allowed to determine her daily activities as they were assigned to her depending on the preferences and needs of the enslavers. Despite the physically demanding work of long hours and the emotional toll of being separated from their families, enslaved women demonstrated incredible resilience and ingenuity. They developed strong community bonds, provided support to each other, and passed down traditions and cultural practices to preserve a sense of identity and connection.

Historical Heritage Diagram

Acknowledgements

Over 30 years ago, Glennie Bridgforth, Stonewall and Arilla’s only surviving child, took the lead on the inaugural family reunions from 1991 and 1992. She spear-headed the events with a fierce dedication to and honor forwards the Bridgforth lineage and the

Venita Bridgforth spent many hours driving and traveling across the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama collecting records, data, and information to get the booklets written for the 1991 and 1992 Bridgforth Reunions. She then spent numerous hours organizing and

Wimpsey Saulsberry Levingston – Wimpsey was instrumental in getting the documents organized, typed and ready for print. This took precision, accuracy, and tireless hours.

Pictures

Ruth Bridgforth Lester

Reflections made by Angela Clark Louque, daughter of Glennie Bridgforth Clark:

My mother, aunts and uncles grew up in a loving home, filled with fun and laughter. Writing and reflecting, I remember the big hot wooden stove, the pig, “Dog” the dog and the many chickens, ducks, cows, pigs, and other animals on the land. I remember that someone had to get out of the car to unlock the gate that would swing to open and sometimes get stuck in the mud. When I was older and could drive, I would intentionally drive down her road to see if she was sitting out of the porch. Usually barefoot and shelling peas, or just watching the cars go by would be her entertainment of the afternoon. Ethel D., could fill a room with her boisterous voice and laughter. She was straight-forward in her conversations. Sam was the philosopher of the group and would always use “big” words and have a great smile. He seemed to enjoy talking and my sisters and I were a captive audience. Uncle S.W was the quick stepper of the group. I was the first organist at New Hope MBC. That was because my uncles and aunts gathered their monies together and dedicated the church’s first organ in honor of Stonewall and Arilla. I’ve been honored to read through the historical documents, recalling memories of long ago, and reflect upon what their lives may have been like given some of the legal, civil and political climates.

Sources:

1. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2D3-CY7Y

2. ↑ "Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2ZL-MBG

3. ↑ "Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2ZK-5TT

4. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6GC-2KP

5. ↑ "United States Census, 1900, Page: 23; Enumeration District: 0039; FHL microfilm: 1240826, " database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9XB-RXK