Tuesday, November 29, 2022

65 years old man born on a plantation in Norwood, LA


James "Moon B" London
I spent the few last days at  Womack Syrup Mill in St. Helena Parish. It was a pleasure to meet some very interesting individuals. One of those people was James London aka Moon B, whose task was to unload the sugarcane from the trailer. He struck up a conversation with me while I was taking photographs of him unloading the sugarcane. He discussed the sugarcane plantation he grew up on in Norwood, Louisiana, where he was born and raised back up in the woods.

"I was born on a plantation in the woods in Norwood, Louisiana. I remember the name of the midwife who delivered me there." Her name is Lucy Porter, yeah, that's right, said Moon B." When Moon B told me his age, my heart ached for more information on his life on the plantation. I wish I had more time with him to interview him and document his story. 

He is only three years older than me and is sharing his experiences living on a plantation. He was born into a system of sharecropping. As a result of his family's hard work and sacrifice, they were not able to get a head he said. We just always broke even, yeah, we couldn't do anything about it Moon B said.

I asked him how  his family left the place.  He explained to me a fight that one of his uncles had. After one of my uncles got into a fight and someone was killed, the owner told us we had to leave. "I witnessed them beating my uncle on the plantation, yeah, I recall that, said Moon B."

 



12 comments:

  1. My name is Courtney Spears. Moon B is my grandfather Horace London’s cousin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Courtney, email me your phone number at nurturingourroots@gmail.com

      Delete
  2. Hey I am only 41 years old and I have a grandfather that was born in 1889 and my grandmother was born in 1906 my dad was born in 1928 and my mom 1943 I got some black historical stories in me lol and knowledge and wisdom for days…I am from Greensburg La! I am an Entrepreneur I started my own business by the time I was 18 years old! Do to my parents age they was ill! My mom and dad ran a successful business in Greensburg for over 50 years I had no idea that my mom had no education and was made to quit school and pick cotton! My mom was from Franklinton Louisiana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m From Amite La. My Grandparents are From Franklinton La. Too

      Delete
    2. Moon b is my first cousin

      Delete
    3. Hi, I’m Lisa London this is a lie if you don’t take it down I will have my attorney to contact you. Thank you

      Delete
    4. I’m James London sister he would do anything to get money to supply his crack habit.

      Delete
    5. Lisa, do as you wish.

      Delete
    6. Lisa, please understand this his story according to him. What can any attorney do about that? He didn't call anyone's name but his own. That is is right.

      Delete
  3. Wow.This is amazing.
    My name is Mary Porter Beckham reared in Clinton , La by my Grandfather Chatlie Norwoo and Grandmother Lucille Porter Norwood the daughter of the Lucy Porter also Lucy Porter has many Grandchildren still living in Greensburg, La.. as well as Kenner,La., New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La. and other cities.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary, would you please email me your phone at nurturingourroots@gmail.com?

    ReplyDelete