Where is the information archieved by the A.M.E. Church about 311 Blacks who sailed on the steamship Laurada from Savannah, Georgia to Liberia, Africa, March 1, 1896?

According to the Savannah Morning News: Sunday March 1,1896, the crowd was addressed from the vessel by Bishop Turner of the Methodist Episcopal Church, colored, Rev, A.J. Warner, of Birmingham and Rev. J. J. Jenkins of Athens, prominent ministers of the colored Methodist Church.

Is there a Manifest List for this voyage? Was the A.M.E. Methodist Church the sponsor of this trip? My grandmother Cora Wiggs of Summertown, Georgia was among those 311 passengers.

I would like to acquire a copy of the Manifest List as well as any other information about the voyage & return of those passengers listed.

Thank You!

Deanna Neely

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2002

Answers

Sis. Neely,

Your inquiry is most interesting. I'm trying to follow-up with my own relatives regarding your question. The Sixth Episcopal District would be the place to inquire regarding the departure of those who went to Liberia. I do hope they have such information in their archives. Please keep in touch.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2002

Sister Deanna,

Bishop H.M. Turner was the editor of the Voices of Missions in Atlanta, GA. That might be a source for you. Also, there are several books found at the "Documenting the American South" website that may be of some assistance. I have read of several voyages to Liberia, but none in the year 1896. Good luck in your search.

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2002

It just occurred to me. Perhaps back issues of the A.M.E. Review will prove valuable.

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2002

Time has not permitted me to research this question thoroughly. It may be helpful to refer to some of the web resources I use, in addition to those Mary mentioned above. A summarized collection may be found at The Reedy Chapel Web Site, which has a link to Historical information.

Enjoy,

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2002