My e-mail is vershawn@redclaydance.com if you have any info I would love to get it.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
Lewis, Cudjoe

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
(Alabama Archives, Montgomery. Louise Porter (Colored) Identification No. 0149-4249. Federal Writers Project, Dist. 6. WPA Project 694, New No. 2661. August 15, 1936)

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
On April 20, 1861, the last cargo of negro slaves imported to the United States was brought to Mobile. This date was given by the obituary of Captain Tim Meaher, who died in 1892.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
The War between the States at this time was already on, and this black cargo created quite a sensation in Mobile, and the South, hundreds going down to the foot of St Anthony St to see the slaves gibbering in their tribal language.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
The planters of the South generally did not desire savages from Africa, but desired those either born in the United States or the West Indian Islands, because they did not have to break them in for laboring purposes. The schooner Clotilde sailed from Lonanda in Africa with several hundred negroes, prisoners captured by the warriors of the tribe in a war with another tribe, and sold to American speculators. The Clotilde safely reached the Mississippi sound and was taken in charge by Captain Tim Meaher and run up Mobile Bay and river by night.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
The negroes were then hidden in the delta marshes of upper Baldwin County at the head of Mobile Bay, and the Clotilde was taken to Bayou Conner and burned to the hull edge. The authorities took proceedings against Captain Tim Meaher, and although the case was tried with able lawyers on either side, the Captain of the Clotilde was kept out of the way and Captain Meaher proved that he had been in and about Mobile all the time. The result was that he was acquitted. After everything had blown over the slaves were divided by Captain Meaher among different person in interest. Many of the negroes were sent up the river to plantations, others were also employed in building redans and redoubts up the river, while the remainder remained in the neighborhood of Mobile river above Mobile on Meaher’s land and that part of the suburb of Plateau known as “Affrishy Town”, were up to the death of these slaves (Cudjoe Lewis, the subject of this article being the last), the pure African Lonanda tribal was spoken.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
These last slaves were known as the “Tarkars”, an African tribe, captured and brought here on the ship “Clotilde”. In this number was Raseola Lewis, but later known to every one as “Uncle Cudjoe Lewis”.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
Uncle Cudjoe lived in an old cabin, next door to the Union Baptist Church in the Plateau Community for nearly a century or until he died Friday, October 2nd, 1935, being the last of the number who came on the “Clotilde”. He was a member of this church and served as janitor for seventy years, very active, and able to perform his duties until a few months before he died at the ripe old age of 105 years.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
Uncle Cudjoe was intelligent and possessed with a keen memory. He could relate stories about his early life in Africa and the United States, and was often interviewed by representatives of the leading newspapers and magazines of the country. He loved his church and could quote intelligently many scriptures in the Bible.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
Uncle Cudjoe’s life was a great influence on the people of his community. He was respected by members of both races. Hundreds of whites as well as Negroes attended his funeral, paying homage to his bier. Members of both races spoke on the life and struggles of this historical character.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
The population of Plateau is 2,537 (all negroes) being descendants of Uncle Cudjoe and others who came with the last load of slaves.

State: Alabama Interviewee: Lewis, Cudjoe
[Reference: Obituary of Captain Timothy Meaher, in Mobile Register, March 4, 1892; Mobile Under Five Flags, by Peter J. Hamilton; Dropped Stitches from Mobile's Past, by Erwin Craigbad, in The Mobile Register, Sunday, April 21, 1929; The Mobile Sun, Negro paper.]

Talk to you soon,

T

My name is Thomas Summerlin, and I am a fifth generational member of the Summerlin-Richardson Family still residing in Plateau, Al. It was spoken to me by my grandmother (Geneva Richardson-Summerlin) that Miss Note was a dear friend of hers, and by my father (Thomas “T.J.” Summerlin) that Ellis Edwards was one of his lifelong friends. I was too young to personaliy remember Miss Note,and only vaguely remember Mr. Ellis Edwards. Unfortunately, Both my parents past away resently, but if there is anything else I can help you with about Plateau, its history, and/or any other information, please let me know.

Plateau is at an exciting point in its history, which is defining its future. Many of our residents are meeting and getting together to ensure that the community and its history will continue. hopefully those of you how have moved away will one day return to continue the legacy set before us. I moved away when I was young because I wanted to see the world, but a sense of purpose kept calling me back everytime I visited Plateau. I always thought, If not me, then who! So now I am committed to living here in Plateau, and trying to make it a better place.

I am not sure if you will get this message, but I believe we may be related. Since our family reunions have stopped, I am not aware of my many relatives from Mobile. I am of the Bracy & Lee family, being the great-great-granddaughter of Peter Lee and the great-granddaughter of Sidney Lee (to my knowledge). Some of my cousins are Marshalls and the Jones family sounds very familiar. I am very interested in receiving further information about Africatown. I will keep checking this board in case you reply. Thank you!

Thanks!!