Descendants purchase their enslaved ancestor's home and the site of America's largest slave revolt
Jocyntia and Joyceia Banner were steeped in the tales of their grandmother who recounted the harrowing events of the 1811 revolt. Today, they own the property and its full narrative.
Jocyntia “Jo” Banner and her twin sister Joyceia “Joy” Banner, founders of The Descendants Project, have taken a significant step towards preserving the historical legacy of Black Americans by acquiring the Woodland Plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana.
According to TheGrio, their unwavering commitment stems from a deep-rooted understanding of the plantation’s pivotal role in history and a determination to authenticate its story.
Revolt leads to beheading
Raised on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, the twins were steeped in the tales of their grandmother, who recounted the harrowing events of the 1811 revolt known as the 1811 German Coast Uprising.
Often overshadowed in historical narratives, the rebellion saw the brave resistance of Charles Deslondes, two other leaders known as Kook and Quamana, along with approximately 25 others who sought freedom amidst the brutal oppression of slavery. They attacked on Epiphany Sunday. After injuring Manuel Andry and killing his son Gilbert, they armed themselves with more weapons and military uniforms.
The revolters walked through plantations on the east bank of the Mississippi River, along the River Road, and down the German Coast—through what is now St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, and Jefferson parishes— in an attempt to conquer the city of New Orleans, gathering as many as 500 more freedom seekers along the way. It became America’s largest “slave revolt”. By the end of the January 1811 rebellion, the white planters had brutally beheaded more than 100 enslaved men, put the rebels’ heads on spikes, and displayed them for 40 miles along River Road, from the center of New Orleans deep into plantation country. (Watch this video from CrashCourse with host Clint Smith III)
According to Britannica, “Even though the government and whites tried to minimize the uprising, surviving rebels and others passed down the stories, and Deslondes, Kook, and Quamana became legends among the enslaved people and their descendants.
Reclaiming the land and its narrative
The Banner’s acquisition of the plantation marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle to preserve Black history. After years of discussions about safeguarding this heritage with the previous owner, Timothy Sheehan, the sisters finalized the purchase in January for $750,000. With the transaction completed, they now hold stewardship over a property that witnessed one of America’s largest uprisings of enslaved people.
Their nonprofit organization, The Descendants Project, focuses on preserving and protecting the Black descendant community in Louisiana’s River Parishes. The Woodland Plantation, nestled in St. John the Baptist Parish, holds immense historical significance, encompassing 4,000 square feet of space on four acres of land.
According to Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir, Ph.D., an associate professor of history at Xavier University, the Banners’ initiative is profoundly impactful. It provides an opportunity for descendants of the enslaved to reclaim their narrative, offering a counterbalance to historical accounts that often marginalize their contributions.
In addition to preserving the plantation’s history, the Banners said they intend to use the space as a hub for community engagement. By offering genealogy resources and facilitating discussions on environmental justice, they aim to create a welcoming environment where Black voices are heard and honored.
For Jo Banner, the significance of owning Woodland Plantation extends beyond mere property rights. It represents a reclaiming of space and identity, ensuring that future generations connect meaningfully with their heritage. As they embark on this journey, the Banners said they are determined to ensure that the Woodland Plantation remains a beacon of hope and empowerment for visitors.
“Knowing that home’s history and everything that happened, that our names are going to be put in the paperwork of this home, that you’re going to see it going all the way from the 1700s and white ownership and all of a sudden that they got more melanin on that title history, we’re already seeing how impactful that is for us to be in this space just as Black women,” Jo Banner told The Grio. “We’re going to provide access to the history in a way that Black people can feel welcome in the space.”
By Stacy M. Brown @StacyBrownMedia
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Such a historic moment and powerful legacy triumph for the descendants.
This is awesome! Reclaiming the Land!