Uncovering the Untold Histories of Levi Jordan Plantation

Site Visit

In October 2023, the group of researchers visited the Lake Jackson, Varner-Hogg, and Levi Jordan plantations along with the Lake Jackson Historical Museum. Here, the researchers had the opportunity to delve deeper into the local history through firsthand exploration of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that shed light on the daily lives, labor, and resilience of those who lived and worked on these plantations. This visit allowed the team to gather crucial visual and textual information that would enhance the accuracy and depth of their GIS mapping project.

"Upon arriving at the Levi Jordan Plantation, myself along the researching team was confronted with the tangible weight of history and the difficulty of connecting with a past marked by hardship and resilience. Walking the grounds where enslaved individuals once lived presented an emotional challenge, as the air seemed to carry echoes of their stories. The physical remnants of the plantation—buildings, landscape, and artifacts—served as stark reminders of the lives that had been shaped by a history slavery. The visit was simply not just an academic endeavor but a deeply moving experience that brought home the reality of the plantation's history. The difficulty of standing on such historically charged ground was compounded by a sense of responsibility to accurately and respectfully represent the lives of those who had been silenced by history. The visit underscored the importance of their work, not just in mapping physical locations, but in mapping the emotional landscapes of those who had lived, suffered, and persevered in such places."

– Rohini Pillay. B.A candidate in History at Rice University

Expressions of Gratitude and Recognition

Our team extends heartfelt gratitude to a distinguished group of individuals whose invaluable support and guidance were crucial to the success of this project. Special acknowledgment goes to our mentors, Dr. Molly Morgan and Uilvim Ettore Gardin Franco, whose expertise and encouragement steered this project toward its fulfillment. We would also like to thank historical archivists, Angela Pfeiffer and Angela Villareal for their indispensable contributions and insights that enriched our research. Subsequently, we would like to thank both the Lake Jackson Historical Museum and Levi Jordan Historical Site. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous funding and backing from Fondren Fellows, whose commitment to fostering scholarly research allowed us to bring this project to fruition. Each of these individuals and institutions has been instrumental in our journey to uncover and map the archival images of Brazoria County, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

In the 1990s, the Levi Jordan Plantation Historical Society had a Board of Directors who worked to collect valuable information about the lives of enslaved people. Their research was made publicly available on an extensive website that has since become defunct. The managers of the Levi Jordan State Historic Site are working to transition this information to a new public platform and continue the work of public history and community engagement. We draw upon the information provided in that website for our summaries. 

The original Board of Directors included the names of people enslaved at Levi Jordan as part of the website content. This decision to publish the names was carefully considered, especially respecting the wishes of descendants who preferred not to have their family names displayed publicly. This decision was grounded in the belief that it's important to recognize these individuals' identities and contributions, rather than merely categorizing them as "slaves," "tenants," or "residents." Respecting the privacy of living descendants, only those who have given permission are mentioned by name. Today the Levi Jordan Descendant’s Project continues the work of soliciting public input to record and share information about all the people who lived in the spaces of Levi Jordan Plantation in the past.

Our aim of highlighting the untold histories of residents and enslaved Black communities living on the plantations would not have come to fruition without Dr. Kenneth Brown and Carol McDavid's comprehensive research on the Levi Jordan Plantation and Brazoria County at large. Their project, which attempted to discuss the lives of Levi Jordan, his family, and the people who worked for them as slaves and, later, as tenant farmers and sharecroppers, was a valuable source for this project throughout its creation. Their website can be accessed below:

The plantation was built in 1848 by Levi Jordan, his family, and the people who worked for them as slaves and, later, as tenant farmers and sharecroppers. Research conducted by Dr. Kenneth Brown and Dr. Carol McDavid have summarized archaeological and historical research at this site. Much of that work has been published as a website, and is in the process of being transferred to a more accessible format. Their work attempts to discuss the lives of ALL of these people, and covers a period from 1848 until about 1888-1890. Much of the information that we have summarized here comes out of that previous work.

To view the full Brazoria Historical Plantations collection of images and documents click here:

Who were the individuals living on the plantation?

Given the historical context, African Americans were not named in census records until after 1869, making it challenging to identify individuals before then. However, through voter registration records, family documents, court cases, and other sources, names of African American residents from 1858-1880 were compiled, alongside information on Brazoria families linked to African ancestries.

The decision to publish these names was carefully considered, especially respecting the wishes of descendants who preferred not to have their family names displayed publicly. The choice to include names and information about these individuals on the website was made by the Levi Jordan Plantation Historical Society's Board of Directors. This decision was grounded in the belief that it's important to recognize these individuals' identities and contributions, rather than merely categorizing them as "slaves," "tenants," or "residents."

Acknowledging the gaps in records, the website encourages descendants to contribute additional information to enrich the historical narrative. Respecting the privacy of living descendants, only those who have given permission are mentioned by name. The website serves as an invitation for other descendants to share their genealogical information, with the promise of possibly making more detailed genealogical data available on the website or at the Brazoria Community Library, pending family approval.

Personal Histories of Enslaved Peoples on Levi Jordan Plantation

Histories are predominantly crafted by those in positions of power, and Brazoria County's case is no exception to this trend. History has oftentimes reflected the achievements of white, upper-class men while marginalizing the stories of women, minorities, and nonliterate societies. This skewed representation often overlooks the experiences and contributions of African Americans in Brazoria outside the contexts of slavery and civil rights, presenting them through an external lens rather than from their own perspectives. However, through oral histories and traditions, historians such as Cheryl Wright have begun to illuminate the rich and nuanced lives of African Americans in Brazoria County.

Oral histories and traditions have proven to be invaluable tools in reconstructing the lives of rural black communities by capturing the essence of their experiences, beliefs, and contributions from their own perspectives. By interviewing descendants of plantation residents, long-standing members of the community, and the descendants of enslaved peoples, the voices of those who have historically been silenced have been preserved and amplified. This process of oral histories has further challenged traditional methods of historical documentation. Therefore, oral traditions have been crucial in maintaining cultural heritage and identity by offering a more inclusive and equitable view of history that acknowledges the diverse contributions of all its participants.

Birthing Practices in Brazoria, Texas (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)

In rural black communities, such as those in Brazoria, Texas, midwives played a pivotal role in childbirth and maternal care by performing all birthing duties from cutting the umbilical cord to managing the afterbirth, which was traditionally buried or burned. These midwives relied on age-old methods, including specific positioning of the woman to facilitate delivery and promote pelvic healing postpartum. The role of the 'midwife' was less about formal medical training and more seen as a gift or 'calling' that was deeply rooted in the community's cultural fabric. The entire birthing process was a community affair, with neighbors and family members providing support when a midwife was attending a birth, showcasing a collective approach to childbirth and postpartum care, where the midwife could remain with the new mother for days and offered assistance and guidance. Economically, the services of a midwife were accessible to all and reflected a system where care was provided regardless of a family's ability to pay. This reliance on traditional knowledge and mutual aid was particularly poignant in a context where medical facilities were often inaccessible. Thus, midwifery in Brazoria encapsulated not just the medical aspects of childbirth but a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and social practices that highlight the resilience of the African American community at Levi Jordan.

"There wasn't any hospitals, there were midwives. We didn’t get a hospital until 1930. In them days they didn’t do too much talk, they didn’t school you before time. They just learned from the old people. The Lord just took care for that. Other women would be there to help, but your mama would teach you what you’re supposed to do. She’d explain all that to you. Them old women knew. Children be born and they’d all go."

The Role of the Church

The church served as the central point for social, educational, and spiritual activities within Black communities across Brazoria and provided a cohesive space for assembly, resistance, and devotion. The roots of early religious faith were embedded in the experiences of slavery, where the church emerged as a beacon of hope and a source of divine care and protection. With the introduction of Christianity during slavery which – was primarily a tool for social control – it evolved into an integral element of Black communal life. Following emancipation, churches were among the first institutions to be established and quickly became essential for spiritual support and as venues for social interaction. In the period shortly after freedom was granted, several churches were formed, each becoming a crucial hub for the Black community in Brazoria. The Baptist and Methodist denominations were especially prominent, a choice that may reflect the religious preferences of former slave owners or the influence of early black preachers. Beyond their spiritual mandate, these churches played a pivotal role in education by housing the first schools for African American children in the area. Education was held in high regard within the community, with the schooling schedule thoughtfully arranged around the agricultural calendar to accommodate the farming obligations of both students and their families. This multifaceted role of the church underscores its significance in fostering not only spiritual values but also in promoting literacy and education in Black communities during a transformative period in history.

In their  project , Dr. Kenneth Brown and Carol McDavid compiled church histories provided by members of the most prominent African-American churches within Brazoria County that were near the Jordan, Mims, and Stratton plantations, with written records gathered by Cheryl Wright. Below is a map highlighting some of the churches discussed.

Agriculture and Land Acquisition Post-Emancipation

Following emancipation, many former slaves found themselves transitioning to tenant farming and sharecropping on lands adjacent to their previous plantations, often under economically disadvantaged conditions. Sharecropping arrangements typically required tenants to pay a portion of their crops—about one-fourth of the cotton and one-third of the corn produced—to landowners as a form of rent. Despite these challenging beginnings, Black communities gradually began acquiring land, sometimes at rates as steep as 25 cents an acre which was a formidable sum for newly emancipated individuals. Over time, this enabled some to become landowners themselves, fostering tenant farming within their own community and establishing more equitable economic relationships. Agriculturally, the community focused on cultivating cotton and sugar cane, with techniques for syrup-making being handed down through generations. They relied on natural phenomena to guide their planting schedules which demonstrated a connection with the cycles of nature. The absence of refrigeration necessitated traditional food preservation methods, such as canning and salting meat, as well as the use of smokehouses, with women playing a pivotal role in these activities alongside their contributions to farm labor. However, environmental and technological changes presented new challenges for farming, including the emergence of resistant insect species and the loss of heirloom seed varieties. The community also noted a decrease in the productivity of traditional crops, attributed to environmental pollution and the proximity of chemical plants. Despite these obstacles, the community's agricultural practices showcased their resilience and adaptability to the shifting social and environmental landscape. Land acquisition and the capacity for independent food production and preservation became cornerstones of the community's economic stability and self-sufficiency. Within this framework, distinct gender roles emerged, with women supporting the agricultural efforts and managing domestic tasks which portrayed the interconnective nature of family, farming, and survival in the post-emancipation era.

"Some of the land was bought. Some may have been given. Of course 25 cents an acre then was a high price. They came out of slavery without anything. Back then 25 cents was a whole lot. There was some that couldn’t pay that, they just come out and didn’t have anything. Ex-slaves stayed in close proximity to past plantations."

Stories of racial injustice and survival tactics underscore the resilience of the African American community in Brazoria, Texas, amidst a backdrop of systemic racism and segregation. This project builds upon the collective efforts of several historians, archaeologists, cultural heritage managers, and public history professionals in a continued, growing movement to shift the narrative on the history in Brazoria County to include information about the lives of thousands of African and African-descended enslaved peoples who worked in captive labor during the 19th century, whose descendants live in these communities today.

By highlighting the stories of the unheard and the forgotten throughout the history of Brazoria County, the team hopes to properly commemorate the community's efforts to honor their dead, celebrate their heritage, and educate their children, demonstrate a collective strength and a commitment to preserving their history and culture despite the challenges faced. The team remains dedicated to uncovering and sharing these stories with the respect and depth they deserve, contributing to a more inclusive, multifaceted, and accurate portrayal of Brazoria County's past.