Mississippi Civil Rights Project

History of the 82 counties

Background/History

Known as the "Land Between Two Rivers", Madison County is situated between the Pearl River to the east and the Big Black River to the west.

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Rosa Allie Lee Scott
Rosa Scott was born in 1874. She was one of very few African Americans who obtained higher education, attending Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Joe Holbert
Holbert was the first African American to deliver mail in rural Madison County. Holbert normally delivered mail twice a week on horseback. The photo was taken in the late 1880s.
Solomon Lindsey
Solomon was born on September 1, 1878 in Canton. He received vocational training at Tuskegee, Alabama, and Piney Woods Country Life School. Solomon eventually became the owner of a 700-acre farm.
Richard Williams
Williams was born March 22, 1886, the grandson of a freed Virginia slave. He grew up on the Jim Smith farm between Canton and Flora.

Places

Freedom House of Madison
The Freedom House was used during the Civil Rights era to house Civil Rights workers who came to Madison County.
House of Sister Thea Bowman
This traditional shotgun bungalow was home of Sister Thea Bowman, well-known author, evangelist, teacher and lecturer. It was built around 1900. The house is located at 136 Hill Street in Canton, MS.
Rosa Scott School
This school was named after Rosa Allie Scott, who was an advocate for civil and human rights. She is buried on the school grounds. The school is located on Crawford Street in Madison.
Howcott Monument
This monument was created for slaves that went off to the Civil War with the Harvey Scouts from Madison. These slaves fought on the side of the Confederacy alongside their slave masters.

Events

Mock Elections
Date of Event:
November 1963
The Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) organized mock elections in 1963. The unofficial elections helped determine voting strength and showed that blacks would vote if given the opportunity.
Canton's First Freedom Day
Date of Event:
February 28, 1964
More than 350 African-American residents arrived at the Madison County Courthouse demanding their voting rights.
Freedom Summer and the Meredith March in Madison Co.
Date of Event:
June 23, 1966
Freedom marchers tried to pitch tents to lodge women and children on the grounds of McNeal Elementary School during James Meredith's March Against Fear.
Slave Insurrection of Madison
Date of Event:
1835
Rumors of a slave insurrection led to the lynching of numerous slaves. "Investigations"revealed that the plan was to rob and kill all whites at their homes.

Organizations

The Klan of Madison Co.
During Reconstruction, President Andrew Johnson sent a militia of approximately 100 blacks with a white captain to Canton.
CORE of Madison Co.
Canton organized office for Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1963.