¨The Cross Roads¨How 100 acres change our family

Parents of John Cross: Names Unknown

The first recorded person along our ancestory line was a man name John Cross. His parents immigrated from England to the United States of America in the early to mid-1700’s.

Their first entrance into the new land was through New York’s Ellis island. After a brief time in Northern New York, they would later migrate to Virginia in the late 1700’s.

John Cross

● Born in Virginia around 1790○ In a 1820 census, John Cross was labeled as a 20

year old black male who worked for the Darden Family. His occupation was as an architect using Mosaic Design.

○ Lived in Virginia from 1790-1869○ Listed as a free man and head of the household.

Register of Free Negros and Mutattoes

No. 582: John Cross- A dark brown near black free Negro man, 5’-7’’ high (in shoes), and about 27 years old. Has 2 scars on his right cheek born (+), born free.

Noted on November 1815

Southern Migration

John and his wife Mary Cross, along with their six kids, moved from Virginia to Many, La in 1879. From the money he earned as an architect, John Cross was able to purchase 100 acres of land in Many. The land would be later known as ¨The Cross Roads¨ among our family

Goods produced at The Cross Roads● Cotton● Pigs● Fruits and Vegetables

Pull Factors

Due to his entrepreneur spirit, John Cross saw the opportunity to move south and purchased his own land. Because of his boldness to take a chance, he was able to:● Increase his financial status● better the quality of life for his family● pass down an inheritance to his family

Many, Louisiana

The town of Many is the parish seat and the principal town of the Sabine Parish. Known as the ¨land of Green Gold,¨ the town was named for a commandant of Fort Jesup.● John Baldwin (¨The Father of Many¨) operated a tavern on

El Camino Real (The Spanish King’s Highway).● At Baldwin store Sam Houston, Jim Bowie, and Davie

Crockett stopped to water their horses before going to the Alamo.

● Many is named after Colonel John B. Many.

From John & Mary Cross to Samuel Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross

From John & Mary Cross to Samuel Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross (Continued)

From John & Mary Cross to Samuel Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross (Continued)

Hazel Ramona Cross (Granny)

● Daughter of Samuel R. Cross and Rosie Sowell.

● 1 of 9 kids from Samuel and Rosie● Morning Duty as a child:

○ pick cotton alongside her brothers at the Cross Roads.

○ feed the hogs¨My grandmother would have to work the family land every morning before she went to school. She would have to walk six miles every morning to reach the Cross Roads.¨ (S.Davis, Student, November 1, 2014)

Hazel Ramona Cross (Continued)

● After graduation, the monies earned from the family farm allowed Hazel Cross the opportunity to attend Grambling University in Louisiana.

● While at Grambling University she would study education.

¨Granny always believed in education. She thought a good education could cross over racial barriers.¨ (S.Davis, retired supervisor, October 20, 2014)

Gender Roles

The women were seen as equal to the men in my great grandfather’s household and not as inferior. With that belief, my grandmother never felt that there was something she couldn’t do. She always wanted to be given the same opportunities as her brothers.¨My grandfather hated excuses. He believed that his daughters could do what his sons did. Everybody worked in his house.¨ (D.Davis, self-employeed, November 5, 2014)

Hazel Cross & Frank Bryant Davis

After college, Hazel Cross met and married Frank Bryant Davis who was a resident of Many.● Married on April 11, 1944● Migrated to Houston, Tx in 1946● Would later have 7 children while in

Houston○ Frank, Bruce, Brenda, Maria, Samuel, Linda and David

Samuel Davis & Illa King

● Married● Samuel Davis

○ Honorable Discharge from U.S. Air Force○ Retired Maintenance Supervisor for B.P. Chemical

● Illa King-Davis○ Aldine Independent School District (Education)

● Four Kids○ Ronda, Bryant, Cobbe and Samuel (Sammy)

Impact of Agriculture

Because of the purchase of 100 acres by John Cross, in Many, La, that land produced financial support, food and the opportunity to increase social status. I believe with the purchase of the 100 acres in Many, La, our entire family legacy was changed. The profits from the land was able to fund the dreams of

Impact of Agriculture (Continued)

those who would follow. I also believe that if you were not directly impacted by ¨The Cross Roads¨ you still benefited from it indirectly. Whether from a parent, grandparent or aunt, we’ve all been touched in some way. From ¨The Cross Roads¨ many of my family members have been able to pursue their careers. ¨Daddy once told me that he’d picked enough cotton for two life times.¨ (D.Davis, Self-Employeed, October 5, 2014)

Beneficiaries of ¨The Cross Roads¨Cary Sowell

● June 1890 accepted Jesus Christ while plowing the field

Samuel J. Cross

● Principal of schools in Belmont and Fisher

Rosie Pearl Sowell

● Teacher

Samuel D. Cross

● Attended Grambling and Texas Southern University,Sabine Parish School Board

Hazel Ramona Cross

● Attended Grambling University

Eddie R. Hadden

● Hofstra School of Law

Frank L. Davis

● CIty of Houston (27 Years)

Samuel J. Davis

● National Football League

Shantel P. Davis

● Prairie View A&M University

William H. Shade

● St. Phillips College Professor

Willie Pearl Cross

● Sabine Parish High School

Charmaine Pope WIlliams

● University of Texas-El Paso (B.S. in Education)

Wilma M, Cross Pope

● Grambling University/school teacher

Anita Dianne Kennedy Patton

● Securities at Texas Commerce Bank

Frances D, Cross

● School teacher in North Forest ISD

Jon R. Ishop

● PT in the National Football League

PICTURES & BIOS

THE END