Gonzales in Gonzales County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Juneteenth - A Day of Freedom and Jubilee
The African-American Journey - 1863-1965
Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021
1. Juneteenth - A Day of Freedom and Jubilee Marker
Galveston Texas: Ashton Villa
June 19, 1865
Two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln's historic Emancipation Proclamation, U. S. Major General Gordon Granger took command of the District of Texas headquarters in Galveston and on June 19, 1865 issued General Order No. 3. He informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free.
St. James Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1867, is the Oldest Black Church in Gonzales County. The church was formed in a Peach Creek Community brush arbor by circuit preacher Boyd James. It continues to host some of the "best Juneteenth celebrations in the county!"
General Order Number 3 states: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.
This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1865.
Location. 29° 30.131′ N, 97° 27.157′ W. Marker is in Gonzales, Texas, in Gonzales County. Marker is at the intersection of North St. Joseph Street and St. George Street, on the right when traveling north on North St. Joseph Street. The marker is located at the northwest section of the city square next to the Gonzales Fire Station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gonzales TX 78629, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Gonzales Churches and Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Segregation in Gonzales: Edwards High School (here, next to this marker); From Segregation to Integration (a few steps from this marker); Women of the Confederacy (a few steps from this marker); Jail Square (a few steps from this marker); Gonzales County Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Square (about 300 feet away); James W. Robinson (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gonzales.
Also see . . . Juneteenth.
The tidings of freedom reached the approximately 250,000 slaves in(Submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Texas gradually as individual plantation owners informed their slaves over the months following the end of the war. The news elicited an array of personal celebrations, some of which have been described in The Slave Narratives of Texas (1974). The first broader celebrations of Juneteenth were used as political rallies and to teach freed African Americans about their voting rights. Within a short time, however, Juneteenth was marked by festivities throughout the state, some of which were organized by official Juneteenth committees. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, November 29, 20212. Juneteenth - A Day of Freedom and Jubilee Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, November 29, 2021
3. The Juneteenth - A Day of Freedom and Jubilee Marker is the marker on the right of the four markers
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
