Who Do You Think You Are? Regina King's "Blacklisted" Loyal Leaguer 2nd Great Grandfather

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If you have time - you have to watch this episode. If you haven't already. It's old.

But, it was everything. It was a beautiful feature -- and it showcases why everyone should do their family tree and learn more about their ancestors.

Regina King's 2nd Great Grandfather Moses Hughes - a freedman and schoolteacher -- was a Alabama "Loyal Leaguer" -- also known as the "Union League."

By the end of 1867 it seemed that virtually every black voter in the South had enrolled in the Union League, the Loyal League, or some equivalent local political organization. Meetings were generally held in a black church or school.​

We should know - that many of our 2nd, 3rd and so on Grandfathers who were alive after Emancipation registered to vote. And therefore, were more than likely "Loyal Leaguers" as well. Which is beautiful! (You can find out if they were on Ancestry.com or the FREE search - www.familysearch.org)

And because of that -- him being registered to vote -- and not allowing White terrorist to stop him helping other Freedman do so -- was why he was placed on the KKK's "Black List."

When placed on the "Blacklist" you are basically targeted -- and most of the time marked for death.

In the episode - she learns some really sad news about what the KKK did to her 2nd GGfather's first wife - but later in the show - she is overcome with pride learning how her ancestor persevered through it all -- and helped lay the ground work for the CRM.

Here is the only clip I could find:



I can't find the full episode episode on YouTube or DailyMotion.

But, if you have cable (or know a PW) you can sign in and watch it here.

https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/full-episodes/regina-king

 

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The Loyal League
More than a decade before the war began, African American abolitionists had a choice to make: to work in opposition to, or in league with, the United States Constitution. According to historian Hari Jones, “In the State Convention of the Colored Citizens of Ohio held in Columbus in January 1851, African Americans debated and voted on a resolution concerning this subject. .... At a vote of 28 to 2, the Convention resolved to work in league with the Constitution to gain equal rights as citizens and to abolish slavery.” From this ideological foundation would grow a secret national network of African Americans dedicated to securing freedom in league with the Constitution. They would later be referred to as the Loyal League, the Legal League, or the 4Ls: Lincoln’s Legal Loyal League - and they would prove instrumental to the course of the Civil War.

Source: The Loyal League

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UNION LEAGUE (1863- )

The Union League of America (or Loyal League) was the first African American Radical Republican organization in the southern United States. The League was created in the North during the American Civil War as a patriotic club to support the Union. It was officially established in May 1863 when a common constitution was adopted. By late 1863 the League claimed over 700,000 members in 4,554 councils across the nation.

After the Civil War the League spread throughout the South mainly but not exclusively among the freedpeople. Paid organizers, including freedmen advocates and anti-Confederates from Unionist clubs, went south to promote the League, and loyalty to the federal government, in the ex-Confederate states. Many newly freed slaves, or freedmen, saw this as an opportunity to seek fair treatment and equal rights from the federal government and the state governments.

By the summer of 1867 thousands of freedpeople had joined the league and it became a strong political force. Due to fear of terrorist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the league met secretly in member’s homes and at churches where they discussed issues of concern to them including homesteading land, public school rights for their children, and securing opportunity to testify in court. They were engaged politically by petitioning, striking, and organizing campaign rallies. Increasingly because of the Union League more African American political leaders emerged in both the North and South.

The Union League also exercised social influence and addressed agricultural concerns. It campaigned to end plantation agriculture and promote land ownership among the ex-slaves.

The success of the League angered terrorist groups like the Ku Klux Klan which increased its violence against the organization. The League was a major target of the Klan during the 1868 presidential election which was the first national contest in which African American men voted. By 1869 the League began to decline. It lost power as its membership declined. By 1872 only a few League councils survived. Although the national Union League experienced a short life, its importance and its legacy made history as it introduced thousands of freedpeople to American politics.

Source: Union League (1863- ) • BlackPast