Moss Point in Jackson County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Black Union Sailors Settled in Moss Point

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

1. Black Union Sailors Settled in Moss Point Marker

Inscription. Only now are historians recognizing the extent Black soldiers and sailors, both slave and free, played in the American Civil War of 1861-1865. After the war ended some of these men made their home in Moss Point. In the area, now surrounding Charlotte Hyatt school, about six ex-servicemen settled to raise their families and work in the city's rapidly expanding lumber trade.

One of these was Solomon Denny, born into slavery, and who as a young man, made his way to Ship Island, and there joined the Union Navy. He served on several ships, including the USS Calhoun, a gunboat patrolling the Mississippi coast. After the Civil War, he returned, changed his last name to Gregory and went to work at Denny Sawmills, one of the largest industries in the area. He was soon so successful at running the day-to-day operations that many referred to it as "Sol's Mill." Eventually he became one of the wealthiest and most respected property owners in the area.

Erected 2014 by the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society & Jackson County Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 30° 24.872′ N, 88°

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32.297′ W. Marker is in Moss Point, Mississippi, in Jackson County. Marker can be reached from Main Street (Mississippi Route 613) south of Robinson Avenue. Located in Riverfront Park (Chester Park), next to the River Front Community Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4400 Denny Street, Moss Point MS 39563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Honoring US Merchant Marine (a few steps from this marker); POW (Prisoners of War) (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring Women in the Military (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Front World War II (within shouting distance of this marker); Moss Point Blues (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival (approx. 2.4 miles away); Krebs Cotton Gin (approx. 2.6 miles away); Jackson County WWII Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moss Point.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the USS Calhoun (1851). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of marker looking towards Escatawpa River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

2. View of marker looking towards Escatawpa River.

View of marker towards River Front Community Center. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 22, 2017

3. View of marker towards River Front Community Center.

Drawing of the USS Calhoun (1851) Gunboat image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - U.S. Naval Historical Center, 1863

4. Drawing of the USS Calhoun (1851) Gunboat

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.