RECONSTRUCTION IN ALABAMA

ALABAMA'S FIRST BLACK LAWMAKERS
(Photo)
Alabama State Senate
Alabama State House of Representatives

BLACK DELEGATES TO ALABAMA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HELD AT MONTGOMERY NOVEMBER 5 - DECEMBER 6, 1867

http://www.lwfaah.net/alabama/delegates.htm

ALABAMA'S BLACK LEGISLATORS
1868 - 1878

http://www.lwfaah.net/alabama/legislators/index.htm

Press Release

Martha O’Rourke-Arrow
MArrow@senate.ms.gov

During the Reconstruction Era (1868-1878), over 100 Black men served as members of the Alabama Legislature. My great great grandfather was The Honorable Shandy Wesley Jones, who was elected in 1868 with the first group. I refer to them as “Alabama’s First Legislative Black Caucus.” Alabama has never recognized any of these men for their service, until now. Through my lobbying efforts and the help of a Montgomery news reporter, Gov. Riley recently signed legislation that would provide for 3 memorial plaques per man to be constructed at the Alabama State Capitol.

The Honorable Shandy Wesley Jones was also the first Black elected official in Tuscaloosa County. He was elected in 1868 to the Alabama House of Representatives. I also lobbied to have him recognized by the City of Tuscaloosa, and the Mayor and City Council graciously honored that request in their first council meeting of 2009 with the presentation of a Proclamation to me and my family.

Now that the State legislation has passed, I am on a quest to find the descendants of the other men. We did a local call-out in Alabama and received about 10 responses so far. I know that most of these people have probably moved out of Alabama by now. I would like to issue a national call-out in search of these descendants. I would hate for these families to miss out on such an auspicious occasion as the dedication of the memorials to not only my relative but theirs as well. Please help me with this mission. My dream is about to culminate, but this is a way that it will just keep on giving.

Martha O’Rourke-Arrow
MArrow@senate.ms.gov