The Settlement of Freetown is designated a place of historic significance by the State of Louisiana.
The Settlement of Freetown is a historic community founded during the 1800s by 31 pioneering landowners of color. It is located in St. James Parish (one of Louisiana's original 19 parishes founded March 31, 1807). The Settlement of Freetown is the birthplace Florestine Adams (the settlement's historian), and a number of St. James Parish's earliest political figures, law enforcement officials, business leaders, educators, farmers, and military veterans of color.
Florestine Adams' legacy of preserving the Settlement of Freetown's history from its origins to her death combined with Shandria Smith's (her biographer) countless hours of organization, in depth research, and commitment to keeping the torch burning for future generations, has made the Settlement of Freetown forever visible in St. James Parish and apart of Louisiana's and America's history.
Shandria Smith's work resulted in The Settlement of Freetown receiving historic designation from the State of Louisiana. The official Settlement of Freetown historical marker reflecting more than a century of lesser known history about St. James Parish and the state of Louisiana was unveiled at its site September 2014 in the presence of parish and state dignitaries, St. James residents, and direct descendants of the Settlement of Freetown's founding pioneers. This historical marker is the first of its kind to reflect the legacy and full names of the early 19th century landowners of color along the westbank of Mississippi River (from Baton Rouge to New Orleans) in Southeast Louisiana.
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