Hurricane Plantation, Warren County, Mississippi

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Index of Plantations

Mississippi Plantations

Introduction

Hurricane Plantation was the home of Joseph Emory Davis. He was the older brother of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States. Hurricane plantation was located on a peninsula of the Mississippi River called Davis Bend. At its peak, the land comprised more than 5000 acres with approximately 5 miles of river frontage. Adjoining Hurricane was Davis Bend Plantation, part of the original purchase of over 9000 acres, and Jefferson Davis' Brierfield Plantation, 1000 acres which Joseph gave to his brother.

Joseph Davis owned 346 enslaved people and had a personal estate worth over $600,000 in 1860. He was known as the wealthiest planter and largest slave owner in Mississippi.^[1]

Around 1835, Joseph Davis gave use of 1000 acres of Hurricane land to his younger brother, Jefferson Davis to use. Joseph helped Jefferson set up his plantation, Brierfield, with financing and with some of his enslaved labor which eventually made Jefferson a highly successful planter, as well.^[2]

Slaves

1. Benjamin Thornton Montgomery - One of Joseph Davis' slaves whom he held in high esteem. He became a successful merchant and inventor.
2. Isaiah Thornton Montgomery (1847-1924) notable son of Benjamin, who founded Mound Bayou Settlement.
3. Joshua P. T. Montgomery son of Benjamin & postmaster of Mound Bayou (March '94)
4. William T. Montgomery son of Benjamin, original founder.
5. Mary V. Montgomery, daughter, postmaster of Mound Bayou (May '95)
6. Mary Montgomery Booze, Isaiah's daughter, founder of the Mound Bayou Normal Institute
7. Benjamin T. Green, cousin and founder of Mound Bayou and postmaster (Feb '94)
8. Rev. Benjamin Forsyth Ousley (1855-1931), “ex-slave” missionary in “Zulu East Africa”

Please see Mound Bayou One Place Study for updates. ---Research continues Pocock-248 20:15, 12 October 2023 (UTC)

1830 Census Record

Slaves - Males - Under 10: 12

Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 29

Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 10

Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 3

Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1

Slaves - Females - Under 10: 19

Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 15

Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 5

Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 6

Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99: 2

Free White Persons - Under 20: 4

Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2

Total Free White Persons: 6

Total Slaves: 102 ^[3]

1850 Slave Schedule

Joseph Emery Davis was enumerated with 242 enslaved people on his plantation.

1860 Slave Schedule

J E Davis was enumerated with 355 enslaved people on his plantation.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Plantation
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brierfield_Plantation
3. ↑ 1830 Census:"1830 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1830; Census Place: Warren, Mississippi; Series: M19; Roll: 71; Page: 194; Family History Library Film: 0014839
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8058 #2018938 (accessed 23 February 2022)
   Joseph E Davis.
4. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860"
   Citing Page: 166; Line: 23; FHL microfilm: 000803603; Record number: 273027;
   FamilySearch (accessed 2 February 2022)
   FamilySearch Image Image number 00622
   J E Davis in Warren, Mississippi, United States. Slaves: 355

• 1850 Census: "1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
  The National Archive in Washington DC; Washington, DC; NARA Microform Publication: M432; Title: Seventh Census Of The United States, 1850; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8055 #91202391 (accessed 2 February 2022)
  Joseph E Davis in Warren, Mississippi, USA. Slaves: 242