Yet Another Natchez Walkabout

 

Another Natchez Walkabout

 

Natchez Walkabout

 

Thanksgiving 2025

 A wonderful Thanksgiving with the sweetest, funniest, most loving friends around at The Saint in St. Francisville.  Beautiful, Michelin-rated restaurant, and the food was fabulous!

Camille's boyfriend, Ian, needs to learn to come out of his shell.

Beautiful and hilarious Camille and her beautiful mother, Courtney.

The man of the hour and father to Camille, husband to Courtney, Marc Taylor.

We have Thanksgiving together every year with Courtney doing the monster's share of cooking and me providing the turkey and the fancy table setting.  But this year, there were no dishes to prepare or clean up.  A perfect day in a beautiful setting.

Let Me Out!

 

Miss Possum

 Welp, I'm trying to catch this poor little raccoon with a mangled paw that's bleeding badly. The kindest thing to do is to put him down. Animal control brought me a trap and told me to set it with marshmallows. Got up about 4 a.m. to check the trap.

Caught a big ole, sweet possum. When the sun comes up I'll let him out and give him an extra marshmallow. Will try again today.

November 11, 2025: The Forgotten Role of Natchez in the Reconstruction Era of Mississippi: Speaker Jere Nash, author of Reconstruction in Mississippi, 1862-1877.

We will take a look at the 10-year period after the Civil War. This turbulent and eventful era of reconstruction was a time when Black Mississippians embraced their new freedom and how White Mississippians could not.

A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Jere Nash was a political consultant until he retired several years ago.

He is co-author with Andy Taggart of two books: Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2008 (2nd ed.) and Mississippi Fried Politics: Tall Tales from the Back Rooms. The former was recognized by the Mississippi Historical Society as the best book of Mississippi history published in 2006 and by the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters as the best non-fiction book published in Mississippi in 2006.

Nash is co-author with Haley Barbour of America's Great Storm: Leading Through Hurricane Katrina. His narrative history of Reconstruction in Mississippi is part of the Heritage of Mississippi series.

The event will start with a social at 5:30 p.m. and the program at 6:00 p.m., November 11, 2025 at 108 South Commerce Street, Natchez, MS 39120. The program is free to the public, and hosted by the Natchez Historical Society.  

Prince Ibrahima Unveiling by Roscoe Barnes, III, Ph.D. - President of the Mississippi Historical Society

Photos by Bobby Dennis, Director of Natchez Museum of African American Culture

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.

“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, 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.”

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.”

Marker honoring Prince Ibrahima to be dedicated Oct. 24

 Marker honoring Prince Ibrahima to be dedicated Oct. 24

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](mailto:Roscoe@visitnatchez.org).

Ready for Tourists: Fall is in the air.

 My little cottage is on tour this fall.  It was built around 1890, so I'm dressing for the time.  I decided to decorate the table for Halloween since most of my tours will be in October.

Natchez Historical Society: Nellie Jackson: Myths and Legends.

 The September 23, 2025 program about local madam, Nellie Jackson, was standing room only.

To learn more about Ms. Jackson, go here.

To see a documentary about Ms. Jackson, go here.