Foxworth in Marion County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Sylvester Magee
May 29, 1841 - October 15, 1971
Believed to have been the last surviving American Slave, Magee was born in Carpet, North Carolina and sold at Enterprise, Mississippi at the age of nineteen. He is believed to have served in the Civil War at both the Siege of Vicksburg and Champion's Hill. Few records exist to support his life's claim, yet some have stated that the detail and clarity with which he recounted his life's experiences would have been impossible for a person who could neither read nor write without having experienced it first-hand. Though he did not like to recount the worst of his days gone by, he made it known that his Faith helped him to make it through.
This memorial is dedicated to Sylvester Magee perhaps the last citizen of the United States who possessed first-hand knowledge of both institutionalized Slavery and the Civil War.
Erected 2012 by Marion County Historical Society, Southern Monument Company.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1841.
Location. 31° 13.681′ N, 89° 52.726′ W. Marker is in Foxworth, Mississippi, in Marion County. Marker is on State Highway 586, half a mile west of Old Foxworth - Jamesworth Road (State Highway 587), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Foxworth MS 39483, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ford House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Temporary State Capital (approx. 3 miles away); Hanging of Will Purvis (approx. 3 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Birthplace of Mississippi Rodeo (approx. 3.7 miles away); Gov. Hugh L. White Mansion (approx. 4.1 miles away); Mississippi Rural Center (approx. 5.4 miles away); Morgantown (approx. 6.3 miles away).
More about this marker. Located in the cemetery of the Pleasant Valley (United Methodist) Church
Also see . . . Wikipedia Page on Sylvester Magee. (Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.