Last updated: February 24, 2022
Person
America Hunt-Harrell (Harrold)
Quick Facts
Significance:
Mississippi Homesteader
Place of Birth:
Kentucky
Date of Birth:
approximately 1820
Date of Death:
approximately 1895
Homestead #6214 - Application Number 14748 – March 17, 1892
America Hunt, a mulatto woman, was born into slavery in Kentucky in approximately 1820. By 1840, she belonged to Henry Hunt and lived on his plantation near Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi. America had children by her slave owner, Henry Hunt (proven through DNA). Two were Margaret and Peter Hunt. Oral family history states that Margaret was a weaver on the plantation, and Peter was a Tanner of animal hides. America eventually married Joshua Hunt, a former slave of Henry Hunt. In total, America had seven children.
In approximately 1856, Henry Hunt moved them to Franklin County, near Roxie, Mississippi. Emancipation occurred on January 1, 1863. Yet, in 1865, Josh, America, and other family members were farming on the same property enumerated on the Registry of Freedmen residing on the plantation of Henry Hunt in Franklin County, Mississippi.
By 1870, Joshua and America changed their name from Hunt to Harrell along with their daughters, who were Jane Harrell-Oats (John), Harriet Harrell-Pickett (Richard “Jake”), Louisa Harrell-Jackson (Winston), and Sarah Harrell. Their former owner, Henry Hunt, also died in 1870.
America was a widow by February of 1883 when she filed for a 39.35 acre homestead under the Homestead Act of 1862. Within nine years, America, with her children’s help and hired hands, built a 16-foot square log cabin, which consisted of a bed, bureau, chair, and table. They also made three log corn cribs. America farmed fifteen acres of the land, planting corn and potatoes, as the rest of the land was piney woods.
The neighbors who were witnesses for her final homestead application were J.M. Halford, “G.C.” George Columbus Adams, and Joe Turner. The two closest people living next to America were her son, Peter Hunt, and neighbor Ben Lands. When America proved up on her homestead her farm yielded 100 bushels of corn and 50 bushels of potatoes. She owned plows, hoes, a turning plow, a weeder, one horse, five heads of cows, and one yearling. Her land, home, and corn cribs’ total value were noted at $130.00 in 1892
The descendants of America Hunt-Harrell are proud of her. She was a tenacious, hard-working woman, despite her life circumstances. Although America was born a slave, after 20 years of freedom, she purchased land, lived in her own home, worked for herself, never being enslaved again in any capacity. She died approximately in 1895.
~ Contributed by Denise Griggs, descendant
About Denise Griggs
Denise I. Griggs is the 3rd great-granddaughter of America Hunt-Harrell (Harrold). Denise founded the African American Genealogy Society of Sacramento, CA (AAGSSC), hosted the 2nd Annual West Coast Summit on African American Genealogy, and is presently the Exhibit Chair of the Greater Sacramento African American Genealogy Society’s board.
Denise’s maternal genealogy research led her to Hunt ancestors from the United States to County Tipperary, Ireland, 8th century England and the House of de Vere. Denise is the founder and owner of Glass Tree Books and Blue Eclipse Publishing. As an author, she has written several books for children and young adults on Diversity, Genealogy, and Theology.
Denise attended Oral Roberts University and received an undergraduate degree in Christian Education, magna cum laude, and a graduate degree, with Honors, in Education. She worked for churches as an Assistant Children’s Church Director, a School Administrator, and served as a minister on a local church Board. For many years she was a Credentials Analyst and Records Officer in college Intern Teaching programs.
Denise and her identical twin sister are lifelong Californians. Their 40-year genealogy research focus is Southwest Mississippi and Arkansas.
_____________________________________________________________