As mentioned in previous posts, I’m an NPR addict. We have a local broadcast called The Texas Standard that highlights all-things-Texas. Every day, I mostly learn about what the new presidency means for the state and I think they talk about tacos every show, with a once-a-week argument about chili or tacos being the state food. I will admit, I don’t get as excited for this show, as I do for THINK or Fresh Air, but love their travel tidbits and random Texas History. When the show brought up The Underground Railroad in Texas, I naturally thought slaves were making their way north, but I was wrong…
In the 1850s, Nathaniel Jackson, a white slave owner from Alabama, left his plantation for the Rio Grande Valley, bringing his black wife, and former slave, Matilda Hicks, their bi-racial children, and freed slaves. Jackson Ranch was established in 1857 and served as a refuge for runaway slaves making their way down to Mexico. The family built a church, a cemetery, and served vital roles in their little south Texas community for generations. The Jackson’s heirs still live today, many of whom mixed with the Mexican-Americans in the town. Lots of multi-racial goodness, but unfortunately, very little information about this revolutionary family.
In 2005, a lovely historical marker was dedicated to the cemetery for all to learn about this brave family. I never heard this story, and it makes me wonder how many others are out there just like it. If you know any, please share, and we’ll do a post on it.
