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Year:1858​

Who: Benjamin Montgomery (1819 – 1877)​

Where: Mississippi​

What: Benjamin Montgomery, born into slavery in Loudoun County, Virginia, in 1819, demonstrated exceptional intellect and ingenuity despite the oppressive conditions of his time. After being sold to Joseph E. Davis, brother of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Montgomery quickly became a trusted figure on the Davis Bend plantation in Mississippi. Davis, known for his unconventional approach to slavery, allowed Montgomery access to the plantation library, enabling him to refine his literacy and mechanical skills. These opportunities set the stage for Montgomery’s achievements, including his management of the plantation’s general store and the invention of a revolutionary steamboat propeller designed to improve navigation through shallow waters. Although Joseph Davis attempted to patent the invention in Montgomery’s name, the effort was denied due to laws barring enslaved individuals from holding patents.

After the Civil War, Montgomery’s ingenuity and leadership continued to shape his legacy. Freed from enslavement, he purchased Davis Bend from Joseph Davis for $300,000 with the ambitious vision of creating a self-sustaining community for freed slaves. Though the venture faced setbacks due to natural disasters and financial difficulties, Montgomery’s efforts underscored the transformative potential of education and economic independence for African Americans during Reconstruction. Alongside his economic pursuits, Montgomery contributed to public service, becoming one of the first former slaves to hold political office in Mississippi as a justice of the peace. His family also carried forward his legacy, with his son Isaiah Montgomery founding Mound Bayou, a pioneering Black community, in 1887.

Montgomery’s life is a testament to resilience and innovation in the face of systemic injustice. While he was denied formal recognition for his propeller invention, his contributions to commerce, industry, and community-building demonstrated the capability of African Americans to lead and innovate despite institutional barriers. Montgomery’s story reflects the broader struggle for equity and recognition during a pivotal era in American history.​

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