Canton in Madison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Annie Devine
| | Mississippi Freedom Trail | |
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
1. Annie Devine Marker
Annie Bell Robinson Devine (1911-2000) was born in Mobile, Alabama, but lived most of her life in Canton. She attended Tougaloo College, married, had four children, and worked as an elementary school teacher and life insurance agent. A leader in Black enfranchisement, she was a Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1964 attempting to unseat the all-white Mississippi delegation. Her voting rights work evolved into activist causes including equitable access to education and health care.
Annie Devine In June 1963, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) opened an office in Canton to promote Black voter registration in Madison County. Black citizens were 70% of the population of 33,000, but only 121 were registered. A young George Raymond was hired to staff the CORE office and received support from businessman C. O. Chinn, who provided a meeting place.
br> Annie Devine, a well-respected Canton citizen, was on her way home from work when she heard singing coming from Chinn's building. Police were patrolling outside. She entered and found Raymond and CORE's
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As a CORE volunteer, Devine assisted many people in registering to vote in Madison County. She arranged mass meetings and witnessed many acts of jailing, violence, and intimidation. She helped organize Freedom Day in Canton on February 28, 1964, protesting discrimination and disfranchisement. Some 400 Black citizens attempted to register, but only five were admitted to the courthouse.
In April 1964, Devine was one of the founding members of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), created by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO). She was elected MFDP Executive Committee secretary and chosen a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At the August convention, MFDP delegates challenged the seating of the all-white regular Mississippi Democratic Party delegates. Despite emotional testimony by Fannie Lou Hamer, the Credentials Committee did not recognize the entire MFDP delegation, but offered a compromise of two seats.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
2. Annie Devine Marker
Devine, Hamer, and Victoria Gray of Hattiesburg ran for Congress that fall, but they were not allowed to appear on the ballot because Mississippi claimed the MFDP was not a proper political party. MFDP held a Freedom Vote instead, and some 60,000 mostly Black Mississippians overwhelmingly elected Devine, Hamer, and Gray in the mock election. On the opening day of Congress in January 1965, hundreds of Black Mississippians and others were present to demonstrate against seating Mississippi's all-white delegation. Despite congressional hearings, Devine, Hamer, and Gray lost their challenge, but their efforts brought about sweeping change. Between 1964 and 1967, 235,000 Black Mississippians were registered to vote, an increase from 6.7% to 59.8% of those eligible.
In 1966, Devine organized on behalf of the Medical Committee for Human Rights and helped plan the route of James Meredith's March Against Fear through Canton. Devine also supported the Child Development Group of Mississippi and Friends of Children Head Start initiatives. A Head Start center in Canton is named for her, C. O. Chinn, and businessman W. E.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
3. Annie Devine Marker
Closeup of photos & captions.
Erected 2025 by Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Humanities Council. (Marker Number 50.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi Freedom Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1965.
Location. 32° 36.798′ N, 90° 2.149′ W. Marker is in Canton, Mississippi, in Madison County. It is on North Union Street north of West Peace Street (State Route 22), on the right when traveling north. Located on the west side of the Madison County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canton MS 39046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor and in Greater Jackson. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026
4. Annie Devine Marker at the closed Madison County Courthouse.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flonzie Brown Wright (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Old U.S. Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grace Church (about 700 feet away); Hickory Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Priestley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Achilles "Killis" Walton House (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.
More about this marker. The Madison County Circuit Court operations moved out of the historic building starting March 30, 2026, temporarily relocating to the former Freds building at 229 North Union Street in Canton while renovations take place. The building is closed to the public.
Long-range discussions for this 1855 historic building involve converting portions into a digital museum and learning center, while broader county facility plans involve future reconstruction and relocation of local judicial services.
Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Annie Devine. (Submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
