|
[http://www.aframnews.com/html/includes/left_nav_1.htm]
|
JESSIE CROSS HILL
Descendents of slaves greatly impacted Texas’s growth, as they migrated from
the deep South (in search of good land to settle on, which would allow them
to support their families) and many of those pioneers chose Grimes County, a
southeastern Texas expanse, that lies forty miles northwest of Houston and
is bordered on the north by Madison County, on the east by Walker and
Montgomery counties, on the south by Waller County, and on the west by
Washington and Brazos counties.
On April 6, 1846, the first state legislature accepted the petition of local
residents and established Grimes County, named in honor of Jesse Grimes, a
signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence who was then representing
the area in the state Senate and Anderson, the third-largest town in Grimes
County, became the county seat. Ironically, most of the indelible history
that newly liberated African Americans made was in the political arena. A
fast-forward to the post-Civil War era, finds the office of the Freedmen's
Bureau (established in June 1866), sending in troops to assist the county's
large population of freedmen in their transition to citizenship. First it
established a court system to dispense justice to the former slaves, protect
the freedmen in their exercise of the franchise, and supervise the signing
of labor contracts.
Many of the first educational institutions for African Americans established
in the county were created during these years by the Freedmen's Bureau,
which founded schools in Courtney, Anderson, and Navasota. But, the defeated
Whites weren’t about to humbly stand by and watch former slaves flourish,
while their lives were in shambles. Reports, filed by the sub assistant
commissioner, described a general breakdown of law and order in Grimes and
surrounding counties. However, he made it clear that-- though Whites against
Whites, Blacks against blacks, and Blacks against whites perpetrated
considerable violence-- whites against Blacks committed most of the violent
crime in this period. Twenty-nine such incidents, including twelve
homicides, were reported in the county in 1867 alone.
The authorities seemed helpless to administer the laws, and few offenders
were ever prosecuted. As the anarchy deepened, armed bands of whites meted
out vigilante justice; the Ku Klux Klan emerged in the county at Navasota in
April 1868. In self-defense, local blacks formed their own "militias. The
secret activities of the county's Loyal Leagues, organized among the
freedmen by Republicans as an agency of political indoctrination, inflamed
White fears of Black conspiracies against white lives and property. Despite
the violence, the sheer size of the Black population ensured that Grimes
County would become a stronghold of the Texas Republican party. The loyalty
of Black voters would enable the local Republican Party to retain
considerable influence for many years after the end of Reconstruction.
History records that after the Reconstruction era, racial tension caused
many Black families to leave Grimes County, however they left a rich legacy
for future generations, like the one that Bro. Jessie Cross Hill was born
into, on February 14, 1919, in Blackberry Settlement. Jessie was the eldest
of Willie and Mary Ella Hil1’s eleven children. He came to Christ at an
early age and united with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church as an outward expression
of his faith. He left Blackberry and moved to Houston in 1939. Upon moving
to Houston he met and later married his first wife Frankie Lee Sandling. He
and Frankie were married until her death in 1967. During his marriage he was
called to duty in World War II. He fought in France, Germany and throughout
the European Countryside. He remembered fondly the time he spent overseas.
It was his hope to be able to return and see how things had changed since
the War. Time did not permit. His time overseas left its' mark on him. He
stressed the importance of traveling and learning about other cultures and
people. He always said, "the Good Lord made this big round world for all of
us and we are all created equa1." He received an Honorable Discharge on June
1 7, 1946. He returned to Houston after the war and soon united with Greater
Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend A.
D. Harris, where he labored for many years. He later served under Rev. F. D.
Johnson and the present Pastor, Rev. G.T. Curry, Jr. After the war he also
began his long career in the steel industry. He worked hard and advanced
steadily until he reached a management position at Armco Steel.
He remained at Armco until his retirement. While serving the Lord at Greater
Union he met and later married his second wife Estella Harris, daughter of
the late Rev. A. D. Harris, in 1974. He and Mrs. Hill remained married until
her death in July of 2003. His mother and father and two brothers, Singleton
and Nemiah Hill and three sisters, Teanna Davis, Yvonne Cauley and Bobbie
Baxter, also preceded Jessie in death. Bro. Hill loved the Lord and served
him faithfully. At Greater Union he was a member of the Deacon Board, the
Brotherhood, the Mass Choir and the Male Chorus. Bro. Hill stressed
community involvement and was active in many community pursuits. He was a
devoted member of the True Level Lodge #226. He served his country with
dignity and continued his patriotism after the war.
He was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post # 827. He was also
active in the Pleasantville Civic League and the Kashmere Gardens
Multiservice Senior Citizens Group. His well-pleased Lord & Savior summoned
Jessie home, on Jan. 26, 2004, and his long and fruitful life was celebrated
on Jan. 11. 2004 at Greater Union MBC, 1101 Waco, with Pastor G. T. Curry
officiating. Sylvia Jackson Jones and Bro. Joseph Mayes blessed the order of
service and active pallbearers were his family friends and the Greater Union
Brotherhood. Honorary pallbearers were his church family; True Level Lodge
#226 and American Legion Post #872.
He leaves to cherish his memory, two brothers, Leon and Walter Roy Hill, of
Houston, Texas and two sisters, Willie E. Kyles King, of Houston and Mary
Louise. Dolford (Henry) .of Conroe, Texas as well as a host of nieces and
nephews and many relatives and friends. A cherished friend Rev. M. L.
Jackson, moderator of the Houston Baptist Association.
|
