Suffolk

Annette Montgomery

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2005
• Print ISBN: 9780738541778
• eBook ISBN: 9781439633335
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

A fascinating history of Suffolk's heroic African-American community. A must-have for African-American and Virginia history enthusiasts. After the Civil War, African-Americans throughout Suffolk and Nansemond County fought against injustice by demanding equality before the law, the right to vote, and equal access to schools, employment, and professions. Because of their tolerance and sense of fortitude, they were able to own land and businesses and to establish churches, schools, and social organizations that paved the way for generations to come. Suffolk is a result of the many contributions made by countless pioneers in education, business, religion, social organizations, and community leadership. In this volume, Suffolk native and archivist Annette Montgomery shares timeless, evocative images and passages for all to enjoy.

One

OUR ROOTS

The Owens family was one of many black farming families in Suffolk. In 1957, this family was awarded “Outstanding Farm Families.” This award, presented by the state, was designed to recognize one farming family annually. In this photograph, taken October 30, 1954, Mr. Frank and Mrs. Dulah Owens were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at their home on Manning Road. Pictured from left to right are (first row) Carlton Owens, Bernyce O. Wynn, Douglas Boone, Ruth O. Jackson, Dulah Luke Owens, Michael Davis, Frank E. Owens, Mary A. O. Davis, Allene O. Cox, and Wayman Owens; (second row) Doris C. Owens, Jack Wynn, Willie Jackson, Ann Boone holding infant Dwayne, Douglas Boone, Benjamin Davis, and Cerbon Cox. (Courtesy Mary A. Davis.)

Pictured here in the late 1930s is Miss Helen Estes’s marriage to Mr. Percy Baker. Helen Estes was the daughter of James and Mary E. Estes of Wellons Street. Mr. Estes was the first African American mail carrier in Suffolk, and Mrs. Estes was an educator. Both Helen and Percy graduated from the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (Virginia State College) in 1927. (Courtesy Portsmouth Public Library.)

Members of the Lowe family, pictured around 1948, are identified from left to right: (first row) Jean Lowe, Elgin M. Lowe Jr., and Sandra Lowe; (second row) Calvin Fortune (son of Dainer), Mrs. Lois B. Lowe, Mr. Elgin M. Lowe Sr., Mrs. Luzie S. Lowe, Bishop Charles W. Lowe, Mrs. Danier E. Robinson, Mr. Joseph Lowe, and Ms. Iola Branch (cousin). (Courtesy Sandra Lowe.)

Mr. Titus LeGrant Walden and Mrs. Mary Catherine Johnson Walden sit in front of their Nansemond County home. Together the couple raised 14 children. The National Archives used this 1932 photograph for many exhibits. (Courtesy Flora Walden Chase.)

This Titus LeGrant Walden family portrait was made around 1906. Pictured, from left to right, are (first row) Moses Walden, Flossie Walden (Browne), Theophilus Walden, and Floyd Walden; (second row) Mrs. Laura Walden Reid, Mr. Titus LeGrant Walden, Mrs. Mary Catherine J. Walden; Mrs. Lula Walden Hunter, Mrs. Deborah W. Howell (Titus’s sister), and Mrs. Essie Walden Boone; (third row) Willis Walden, Obadiah Walden, Squire Walden, and Delaware Howell (Deborah’s husband). (Courtesy Flora W. Chase.)

The children of Titus LeGrant Walden are pictured at his funeral in 1950. Pictured from left to right are (first row) Mrs. Essie W. Boone, Mrs. Laura W. Reid, Mrs. Lula W. Hunter, and Mrs. Flossie W. Browne; (second row) Mr. Willis W. Walden, Mr. Moses Walden, Mr. Theophilus Walden, Mr. Floyd Walden, Mr. Squire Walden, and Mr. Obadiah Walden. (Courtesy Ruby H. Walden.)

Pictured here is Mr. Theophilus “Bade” Walden, son of Titus and Catherine Walden. (Courtesy Flora W. Chase.)

This is a photographs of young Moses G. Walden, son of Titus and Catherine Walden. (Courtesy Flora W. Chase.)

Mr...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - OUR ROOTS
• Two - SCHOOL DAYS
• Three - WORSHIP AND PRAISE
• Four - BUSINESSES, PROFESSIONS, AND LABOR
• Five - SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS
• Six - HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE
• Seven - NOTABLE PEOPLE
• Eight - SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL
• ENDNOTES