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A Way Out of No Way
Our Ancestors Speak
An amazing story
As Dinah's descendant, I am truly humbled by the resilience, strength, and resolve that has been passed down through generations
Power in Storytelling
The voices of those who have gone before us still resonate across generations. We honor them and remember to hold fast to the courage that is grafted in our bones.
The Legacy Continues
When Grandmom Dinah arrived in Alabama, specifically Central Alabama, I wonder how she must have felt.
I have been blessed to have the opportunity to look at her life, and honor her from my 21st century perspective.
Legacy: The Quilts of Gees Bend
Gees Bends quilts have been lauded for their incredible artistry and craftsmanship. But they mean way more than that to me. I. AM. A. DESCENDANT. OF. QUILTERS.
Ella Bendolph
Strips
Photo Credit: Souls Grown Deep Foundation
Missouri Pettway
Four Columns of Stacked Blocks
Photo Credit: Souls Grown Deep Foundation
Arlonzia Pettway
Blocks, Strips, and Strings
Photo Credit: Stephen Pitkin/Pitkin
Souls Grown Deep Foundation
Legacy: Gees Bend and Dr. MLK
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made several visits to The Bend and surrounding areas, including to my Grandmother Ella's church. He left an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of residents of Gee's Bend.
Legacy: Connection to the Clotilda
Abduction and Arrival
110 Africans were captured and abducted from their homeland in West Africa. A large number of the group had been captured by the King of Dahomey. The captain of the Clotilda, William Foster, selected the 110 Africans from a barracoon ( a prison for African captives waiting to be sold) in Ouidah, in modern day Benin.
A Wager That Changed Lives
Timothy Meaher made a bet that he could bring enslaved Africans to Mobile without retribution. Of course, he did. The Clotilda arrived at Mobile Bay on July 9, 1860, after 60 days at sea. My Grandmother Dinah, her mom, dad, and brother were among those captives.
Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama - Sylviane Diouf
Language Matters
I prefer and encourage the use of the term enslaved to refer to barbaric and inhumane treatment that our ancestors endured. Enslaved describes the conditions under which they lived.
The 110 Africans aboard the Clotilda were enslaved.
Africatown and Gee's Bend
Over 30 formerly enslaved Africans created their own community in an area North of Mobile called Plateau. The community was called Africatown and is still inhabited by descendants of those formerly enslaved Africans. About 25 of the enslaved Africans were sold upriver.
Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama - Sylviane Diouf
(Edited) It is suspected that my 2nd Great- Grandmother Dinah was among them. She was sent to central Alabama and her daughter, Sally, ended up on the former Pettway Plantation. Some of her descendants still reside there today. The area is commonly referred to as Gee's Bend.
Source: As told by Arlonzia Pettway