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Sugarland 95 Convict Labor Project

  Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC
 
As a project of Fort Bend ISD, the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. Willie Lee Gay H-Town Chapter conducted genealogical research on a number of the 94 men and one woman who were victims of the convict lease and labor system and possibly buried at the Bullhead Labor Camp Cemetery in Sugarland, Texas.
 
To further support the project and preserve the history of the men and one woman who suffered and lost their lives as a result of the convict labor leasing system, the chapter is supporting education and awareness by providing the identified names of 74 individuals listed in the Roster of the Deceased, with links to research that is preserved on FamilySearch.org.
 
It is our hope that this database of genealogical information will be a key resource in assisting potential descendants in being connected with their family member who is buried amongst the Sugar Land 95.
 
To access the Roster of the Deceased that is included in the final report of findings "Back to Bondage" please visit, https://www.fortbendisd.com/sugarland95
 
For persons who believe that they may be a descendant of the individuals listed, please contact Dr. Helen Graham at helengraham600@gmail.com and 281-763-6276.
 
SUGARLAND 95  NAMES:
Click the Family Search ID for a link to related research.
 
Convict Name  Age at Conviction   Color Employment  (Trade)             Nativity (State/Country)  Marital Status Date Convicted  County of Conviction  Reason for Conviction Sentence Length (Years) Received   Penn.        Death Date Age at Death   Death Details FamilySearch ID
Pope, Nathan 18 Black Laborer Texas No 29 Nov 1879 Fayette Burglary  5 11 Dec 1879 13 Dec 1879 18 Killed during escape at Freemans GH7J-417
Norton, Jonathan 27 Black Laborer Texas Yes 25 Apr 1879 Bastrop Assault with intent to murder 6 7 May 1879 16 Dec 1879 27 Pneumonia GH7J-QDL
Powell, Esau 27 Black Laborer Texas Yes 23 Nov 1875 Fayette Theft 6.5 25 Nov 1875 26 Feb 1880 32 Chronic diarrhea GH7J-ZC2
White, William 26 Mulatto Laborer Alabama Yes 14 Dec 1879 Wilson Theft of Mare 5 15 Dec 1979 20 July 1880 26 Escape attempt Freemans GH7J-Y86
Stroud, Garrison 23 Mulatto Laborer Texas Yes 25 Jan 1877 Robertson Not stated 7 3 Feb 1877 9 Sept 1881 27 Caught in machinery at camp GH7J-DQZ

Boone, Harry

 20 Copper Laborer Texas No 16 April 1881 Washington Theft 5 26 Apr 1881 27 Sept 1881 20 Dysentery GH7V-9HM

Bonner, William

 30 Black Laborer Alabama Widower 3 May 1879 Bastrop Theft 7 7 May 1879 30 Dec 1881 32 Pneumonia GH7J-FXM
Cruse, Michael 18 Mulatto Laborer Texas No 23 Sept 1881 Jefferson Burglary 2 13 Oct 1881 8 Feb 1882 18 Tree fall GH7J-RZN
Froch, Sebe 60 Black Laborer Georgia Yes  10 Dec 1881 Washington Theft 5 4 Jan 1882 17 June 1882 60 Result of amputation of a limb GH8P-9X9
Cartinas, Manuel 25 Mexican Laborer Mexico No 8 Feb 1882  Travis Burglary 2 5 March 1882 5 Oct 1882 25 Congestion of brain and stomach GH8P-SJK

Brewer, George

 39 Black Teamster New York Yes 31 Oct 1881 Cherokee Theft of cow 2 28 Nov 1881 18 Nov 1882 40 Complications of illness  GH8P-7TT
Fuller, Hardy 28 Black Laborer Texas Yes 15 July 1881 Jackson Theft of yearling 2 30 Jul 1881 29 Dec 1882 28 Meningitis GH8P-33L
Davis, Lewis 24 Black Laborer Texas Yes 3 July 1883 Lavaca

Assault with intent to murder

 5 25 July 1883 26 Oct 1883 24 Congestion of bowels GH8P-7B6
Garcia, James 19 Black Laborer Texas No 20 May 1884 Guadalupe Assault with intent to murder 5 29 May 1884 28 Oct 1884 19 Unknown  
Newman, Steve N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 27 Nov 1885   Unknown GH8G-5BP
Odam, Bill 23 Black Laborer Texas Yes 2 Dec 1881 Anderson Theft of person 6.5 5 Jan 1882 30 June 1886 27 Pneumonia GH7N-G71

Chambers, John           

 26 Black Laborer Texas Yes 10 May 1881 Lee Theft of mule 7 16 May 1881 28 July 1886 32 Pneumonia GH7J-LWC
Darby, Aaron 18 Black Farmer Texas No 1 Oct 1883  Caldwell Theft 7 15 Oct 1883 29 Oct 1886 18 Heart clot GH7J-ZB9
Brown, Peter 23 Black Laborer Texas No 7 Oct 1886  Washington Burglary and theft of property over $20 value 4 25 Oct 1886 17 Dec 1886 23 Pulmonary congestion GH7J-Z6G
Rollins, Newton 22 Black Laborer Tennessee Yes 11 Nov 1877 Houston Manslaughter 5 11 Dec 1877 5 Jan 1887 32 Pneumonia GH7J-6HW
Hagell, Will  22 Dark Mulatto Laborer Texas No 31 May 1887 Wood Assault with intent to murder 5 3 June 1887 20 Jan 1888 22 Pneumonia GH7V-4WP

Varnes, John

 32 Black Laborer Texas Yes 16 Dec 1885 Jackson Horse theft 7 14 Jan 1886 23 Jan 1888 34 Pneumonia GH7J-P2H
Rhodes, Ike  N/A Black N/A N/A N/A 20 Feb 1888 Lavaca Theft of cattle 2 2 Mar 1888 5 Mar 1888 unk Heart Clot GH8P-96P
Dixon, Ben 23 Black Laborer Texas No 17 Feb 1888 Trinity

Murder 2nd degree

 5 23 Feb 1888 28 Mar 1888 23 Pernicious Fever GH8P-WDX
Parker, Gus N/A Mulatto Farmer N/A No 20 Feb 1888 Lavaca

Swindling of property over $20 value

 2 2 Mar 1888 24 May 1888 unk Congestive fever      GH8P-7TV
Williams, Riley 25 Black Laborer Texas No 3 April 1888 Fort Bend Burglary and theft of money over $20 4 21 April 1888 26 May 1888 25 Congestion GH8P-4JQ
Corey, Henry 29 Mulatto Laborer Tennessee No 25 Apr 1888 Dallas Robbery 2 9 June 1888 27 June 1888 29 Killed by Guard M. D. Jarnett while attempting to escape GH8P-33T
Franklin, Ben 39 Black Laborer Missouri Yes 25 May 1888 Fayette Assault with intent to murder 5 12 June 1888 26 July 1888 39 Congestive fever       GH8G-1TJ
Collins, Joseph 24 Mulatto Laborer Louisiana No 21 May 1888 Guadalupe Aiding felons to escape from an officer 7 4 June 1888 10 July 1888 24 Killed by Guard M. D. Jarnett while attempting to escape GH8P-7XF
Granville, Alex 26 Black Laborer Alabama No 22 May 1888 Fayette Assault with intent to murder 2 12 June 1888 7 Aug 1888 26 Typho malarial fever GHKK-YRV
Allen, Sam 20 Black Laborer Texas Yes 7 June 1888 De Witt Theft 3 9 Aug 1888 3 Sept 1888 20 Epileptic convulsion GHKK-T5F
Shelton, Jim N/A Brown Railroad Texas No 7 Dec 1887 Colorado Burglary 2 29 July 1889 31 Dec 1888 unk Dropsy GHKK-J7W
Jessie, George 24 Black Farmer Texas No 26 June 1888 Grimes

Burglary and assault with intent to murder

 4 7 July 1889 4 Sept 1889 25 Heart disease GHKK-LN3
Davis, Phil 26 Black Cook  Canada No 24 May 1889 El Paso Burglary and theft of property over $20 value 4 22 July 1889 12 Sept 1889 26 Paralysis of heart       GHK2-9WJ
Davis, John 25 Black Laborer Texas Yes 27 Sept 1888 Colorado Burglary 2 5 Oct 1888 16 July 1889 26 Congestion of brain   GHK2-MG7
Gray, Morris 40 Black Laborer Mississippi Yes 30 June 1888 De Witt Assault with intent to murder 2 9 Aug 1888 18 July 1889 40 Sun stroke GHK2-STL

Nevils, Jerry

 28 Copper Black Laborer Texas Yes 17 Sept 1888 Walker Cattle theft 5 17 Sept 1888 21 July 1889 29 Sun stroke                   GHK2-S8K
Mitchell, Josh 23 Black Farmer Texas No 16 Feb 1889 Lavaca Manslaughter  2 13 Mar 1889 21 July 1889 23 Sun stroke                 GHK2-SDZ

Whitfield, Dempsy

 19 Black Laborer Georgia Yes 2 Nov 1888 Washington Burglary 2 2 Nov 1888 24 July 1889 20 Sun stroke GHK2-W52
Terry, Henry 25 Black Cook  Texas No 26 July 1889 Galveston Theft 2 1 Aug 1889 28 Aug 1889 25 Sun stroke GH8G-514
Williams, John 25 Black Farmer Texas No 12 Sept 1889 Cass Burglary 2 29 Sept 1889 13 Nov 1889 25 Internal hemorrhage and dropsy GH8G-BT7
Baker, George 25 Black Laborer Texas No 6 Jan 1890 Austin Burglary 2 21 Jan 1890 29 Jan 1890 26 Killed during escape attempt  GH8P-C8S
Thomas, Jeff 24 Black Farmer Texas Widower 3 Oct 1889 Harrison Theft of property over $20 value 2 9 Oct 1889 25 May 1890 25 Abscess of liver & dropsy      GHKK-B8B
Cole, Coleman 28 Copper Farmer Texas Yes 21 May 1890 Fayette Robbery 5 8 June 1890 16 June 1890 28 Congestive convultions GHKK-VP2
Scott, West 18 Dark Mulatto Farmer Texas No 5 Mar 1890 Smith Theft 2 25 Mar 1890 21 July 1890 18 Killed during escape attempt        GHKK-52N
Stephens, Wm. 23 Brown Negro Farmer Texas Yes 6 Jan 1890 Austin Horse theft 5 21 Jan 1890 31 Aug 1890 23 Dropsy GHKK-PSV
Nichols, Wm. 24 Black Blacksmith & Cook Kentucky No 1 Aug 1889 Webb

Theft of property over $20 value and burglary

 5 27 Aug 1889 4 Sept 1890 25 Congestive chill GHK2-9PJ
Smith, Davy 21 Black Laborer Texas Yes 3 April 1888 Fort Bend Burglary and theft of money over $20 4 21 April 1888 16 Nov 1890 23 Run over by tram car GHKK-1V7
Anderson, Tom 22 Black Farmer Texas Yes 11 Aug 1890 Rusk Assault with intent to murder 2 22 Aug 1890 30 Mar 1891 23 Dropsy       GHKK-1VF
Boon, Auz. 26 Black Laborer Texas No 22 Oct 1890 Panola Burglary 7 9 Nov 1890 20 Jun 1891 27 Sun stroke GHKK-1QN
Adams, Loyd N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Guadalupe Assault with intent to murder 5 19 July 1891 29 July 1891 unk Sun stroke GHK2-9CJ
Williams, Will 21 Mulatto Farmer Texas No 21 April 1892 Bandera

Theft of a horse

 5 2 July 1892 17 Jan 1893 22 Pleurisy GHK2-CX9
Lee, Sam 22 Black Hostler Iowa No 26 Oct 1892 Grayson Burglary and theft 6 2 Nov 1892 3 Mar 1893 22 Escape attempt GHK2-MHH

Crawford, William

 20 Black Cook  Texas Yes 31 Mar 1892 Washington Forgery  2 21 Apr 1892 23 June 1893 21 Pistol shot while escaping GHKK-T95
O'Dair, Wafer 23 Dark Mulato Laborer Texas No 10 May 1893 Milam Rape 5 27 May 1893 8 July 1893 23 Sun stroke                      GHKK-TSV
Nash, William 16 Black Cook  Georgia No 19 Apr 1892 McLennan Theft of property over $20 value 4 27 Apr 1892  3 Sept 1893 16 Congestion of brain GHK2-MYP
Simons, Hence 25 Black Mill Man Texas Yes 7 Aug 1891 Rusk Horse theft 15 12 Aug 1891 6 Sept 1893 27 Consumption GHK2-75F
Baldwin, Mack 20 Copper Laborer Texas No 21 Mar 1890 Liberty Assault with intent to murder 5 13 Apr 1890 4 Mar 1894 24 Escape attempt GHRD-DNP
Glass, Jim 21 Mulatto Laborer Texas No 19 Oct 1894 Smith

Murder 2nd degree

 10 4 Oct 1894 9 July 1895 22 Pernicious malaria GHRD-FTQ
Jackson, Ed 20 Black Laborer Texas No 11 Oct 1897 Burnet

Theft of a horse

 2 24 Nov 1897 30 Aug 1898 20 Malaria  GHRD-FC5
Tollison, Allie 25 Black Laborer Texas Yes 27 Oct 1987 Lavaca

Fraudulently disposing of a mortgaged property

 2 2 Nov 1897 8 Feb 1899 26 Pneumonia  GHRD-6HC

Blacksom, John

 18 Black Hotel Waiter Louisiana No 17 Mar 1891 Brazos Burglary 14 25 Mar 1891 10 July 1899 25 Drowned GHRD-L7V
Adams, Abe 25 Brown Laborer Texas No 20 Apr 1898 Lavaca Theft of a horse 2 27 Apr 1898 10 July 1899 26 Drowned GHRD-P8D
Miller, Joe 18 Black Laborer Texas No 5 Nov 1899 Bexar Burglary 2 11 Nov 1897 29 July 1899 22 Malaria GHRD-R9H
Berman, Joe 38 Black Laborer Texas Yes 9 Oct 1897 Bexar 26 cases of burglary and theft 12 9 Nov 1897 21 Jun 1900 40 Malaria GHRD-KKF
Mitchell, Jack 33 Dark Brown Railroad Laborer Texas Yes 25 Oct 1900 Harris Theft of a horse 4 01 Nov 1900 12 Nov 1900 33 Pernicious Malarial Fever GHK2-WRV
Miller, Dump 20 Mulatto Black Laborer Texas No 10 Apr 1901 Bexar Burglary with intent to commit theft 2 24 Apr 1901 11 July 1901 20 Pernicious Malarial Fever GHK2-S9S
Robinson, Arthur 20 Black Laborer Texas No 25 Oct 1902 McLennan Burglary 10 29 Oct 1902 9 Dec 1902 20 Killed by Dog Sgt J. H. Veal while attempting to escape GHK2-WZH
Walker, Henry 23 Dark Brown Laborer Texas No 26 June 1903 Bastrop Attempt to commit Arson 5 13 July 1903 11 Sep 1905 25 "Struck by lightning at 11:40 AM and instantly killed" GHK2-SND
Jackson, Andy 53 Dark Brown Laborer Mississippi Yes 20 Oct 1902 Panola Assault with intent to commit murder 2 6 Nov 1902 16 Nov 1903 54 Pernicious Malaria  GHRD-NCY

Owens, Travis

 25 Brown Laborer Texas Yes 25 Oct 1905 Lamar Sodomy 5 8 Dec 1905 13 Dec 1905 25 Pneumonia GHRD-W3W

Brown, Robert

 18 Brown Cook  Georgia No 13 Jan 1904 Harris Burglary 8 2 Feb 1904 26 Jul 1909 23 Sunstroke GHRD-LQT

*Newsom, Isreal

First burial at Old Imperial Prison Farm Cemetery)

 37 Dark Brown Laborer Texas Widower 31 May 1911 Burleson Perjury 2 6 Jun 1911 10 Feb 1912 38 Heart Failure  

*Davis, Alfred

(Second burial at Old Imperial Prison Farm Cemetery)

 25 Dark Brown Laborer Texas No 7-Nov-01 Houston Rape 25 15-Nov-01 7-Mar-12 37 Pneumonia  
 
More Information on Convict Leasing:
 
Convict Leasing and Labor Project:  https://www.cllptx.org/sugarland95
Convict Leasing Memorial Project: https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1709/Convict-Lease-Memorial