Heidi L Dodson

Postdoctoral Fellow at the Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @Oklabhp | researcher, oral & public historian, hiker, traveler | she/her/hers

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

After homesteading, John B. & Annie Key continued their migration, moving to Okmulgee, OK, St. Louis, MO, and Phoenix, AZ.

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

John B. & Annie Collins Key were #OKBlackHomesteaders near Luther. John was from AL, Annie from TN. They moved to Canada, then OK in 1891. He was a grocer, Pres. of J. B. Key Oil & Gas Co. and Mid West Life Ins. Co. Brothers Hiram & Sherman also migrated to OK. #BlackMigration

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Victoria Celestine, an #OKBlackHomesteader, had an alias, likely reflecting her deceased husband’s enslaved name (John Peters). He changed it after the Civil War. Name change sources include the CW Pension Index, homestead case files, and land lawsuit notices. #FreedomToName

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

In "'We Are Now the Owners of the Land': Black Homesteading and the Rise of Political Participation in Kingfisher County, OK," Dr. Kalenda Eaton & I share stories of land, politics & migration. Great Plains Research, Spring 2023. #BlackMigrationWest #RuralProtestPolitics

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

I'm pleased to share that "'We Are Now the Owners of the Land': Black Homesteading and the Rise of Political Participation in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, 1889–1907," by Dr. Kalenda Eaton and Dr. Heidi Dodson is available in the latest issue of @GPR_Journal. #BlackRuralPolitics

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

https://t.co/J9ACyNGctw | Oklahoma Historical Society to host All-Black Towns State Conference Aug. 12

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

Other family names of those who left LA for Luther, OK include, but are not limited to Johnson, Benjamin, Greenhoward, Olivier, Reason, and George.

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Victoria Celestine was an #OKBlackHomesteader near Luther. She & other families, incl. widow Phoebe Magloire/McGlory fled Avoyelles Parish, LA in 1892 after Gabriel Magloire was lynched. They brought a church bell from LA & started St. Luke Baptist. It was vandalized in 1909.

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

#OKBlackHomesteaders had an entrepreneurial spirit. Henry & Mary Easlick had a farm in Noble Co. By 1910 they had moved to the town of Perry where Henry & his son Otis operated a grocery store. #BlackBusinessHistory #BlackWest

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

Mattie's story also shows the importance of looking at multiple sources. We originally missed her when cross-referencing with GLO patents because she was not enumerated as a head of household - which is the case for most women.

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

Mattie's story also shows the importance of looking at multiple sources. We originally missed her when cross-referencing with GLO patents because she was not enumerated as a head of household - which is the case for most women.

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Mattie J. Beasley reveals the determination of women #OKBlackHomesteaders. In 1910 she was a hotel cook in Woodward, but we found her final proof notice. She homesteaded twice, commuting her 1st claim with cash (1905); then proved up a 2nd claim (1913). #BlackWomensHistory

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

J. D. & Sallie Manese from Starkville, MS disagreed about migrating west. J. D. left & became an #OKBlackHomesteader in 1890s Blaine Co. to be "free & independent." Sallie chose to stay home. J. D. divorced her, claiming abandonment. #FreedomSeeking #MigrationRuptures #Home

[Oklahoma Historical Society @okhistory]

Learn about the Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project during a FREE virtual presentation by Dr. Kalenda Eaton.
📆 Thurs., February 23, at noon (Central Time)
Register to attend at https://t.co/MvQbIdwOTr

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Richmond A. Hudson was an #OKBlackHomesteader who sought freedom through emigration. In 1911, he & hundreds of other Black Oklahomans left for Canada. As a British citizen he returned to the U.S. in 1922. He filed for U.S. citizenship in 1938. #FreedomSeeking #BlackHistoryMonth

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Albert C. Hamlin's parents, Jackson and Fannie, were #OKBlackHomesteaders in Springvale Twp. After Jackson died, Fannie finished proving up the claim.

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

@PALaborIndustry I appealed, and 7 months after confusing contradictory letters, I got compensation. Today, a year later I got a confusing email about an appeal (new? old?). I was on hold an hour and they disconnected me.

[Heidi L Dodson @heidijas]

The @PALaborIndustry Unemployment Commission is the most incompetent govt entity I've ever dealt with. In 2021 Months after applying I was asked for more documentation. The software was horrible. I couldn't get any help via email or phone. My legitimate claim was denied.

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Finding the family name of #BlackWomenHomesteaders before marriage can uncover multi-generational homesteading. Sarah McFalls Crummel & her parents John & Eliza McFalls homesteaded in Lincoln Co. Marriage & census records & the SS App & Claims Index help. #LinkingBlackFamilies

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Happy New Year from the @OklaBHP! In 2022 we identified about 1700 #OKBlackHomesteaders and families in the late 19th & early 20th C. In future posts we’ll share stories & research tips we’ve learned along the way. #BlackOklahoma #BlackArchive

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

If you missed our October talk on Black Homesteaders in Oklahoma, @UNLGreatPlains has posted it online! https://t.co/NdW7tI4FAc
#OKHistory #BlackWest

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

In 1901 #OKBlackHomesteader Rosetta Teaberry tried to prove up her claim as a widow, but was denied. She obtained a divorce from husband William in 1898 on grounds of abandonment, but he died before it was final. She successfully appealed in 1902. #BlackWomensHistory #Persist

[The Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project @oklabhp]

Join us to hear about the Black Homesteader Project & stories of migration, family and community.