Isaiah Montgomery facts for kids
Isaiah Thornton Montgomery (born May 21, 1847 – died March 5, 1924) was an important leader who founded Mound Bayou, Mississippi. This was a special community in Mississippi where only Black people lived. He was a Republican and served as the mayor of Mound Bayou. He also took part in a big meeting in 1890 to change Mississippi's constitution.
Early Life and Learning
Isaiah was born into slavery. His father, Ben Montgomery, was also enslaved but was given an important job as an overseer by his owner, Joseph Davis. Because of his father's position, young Isaiah was lucky enough to learn how to read and write. Joseph Davis wanted to create a better environment for the enslaved people on his Davis Bend plantation and encouraged education.
After the American Civil War ended, Isaiah and his father started a business together. This business continued until his father passed away in 1877. Isaiah's father had always dreamed of starting a community where Black people could live freely and independently. By the time Ben Montgomery died, the period known as Reconstruction had ended. During this time, African Americans faced many challenges from white supremacists who tried to limit their rights.
Founding Mound Bayou
After his father's death in 1877, Isaiah Montgomery worked hard to make his father's dream come true. With his cousin, Benjamin T. Green, he bought land in a wild part of the Mississippi Delta. In 1887, they founded Mound Bayou. This area, Bolivar County, was very large. As farmers cleared the land, they began growing cotton.
Montgomery wanted to make sure that freed Black people had legal protection. He also wanted them to be able to work and live separately from white supervision. This was important for their independence and safety.
Mississippi Constitutional Convention
In 1890, Montgomery attended a special meeting in Jackson called the Mississippi constitutional convention. He was the only Black delegate and the only Republican there. The people at this meeting wrote a new constitution for Mississippi. This new constitution was designed to keep white people in control of state politics.
One of the new rules was called an "understanding clause." This rule said that anyone who wanted to vote had to be able to read and explain any part of the state constitution. This made it very hard for many Black people to vote, as many had not been allowed to learn to read. Montgomery accepted this rule. He believed that even though it seemed unfriendly to Black people, it was in the public interest to prevent people who couldn't read from voting. This decision was very controversial at the time.
Legacy
Today, the I. T. Montgomery Elementary School is named after him. It is part of the North Bolivar Consolidated School District. His home, the I. T. Montgomery House in Mound Bayou, is recognized as a National Landmark.
