National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage

This certifies that Alvin D. Blakes is an approved charter member of the National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage, having been admitted by the National Board of Directors by virtue of his descent from a forced American hero of African heritage who was forced into slavery in the United States of America, before the ratification of the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution effective December 6, 1865, and the Indian Treaties of 1866.

Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage is a lineage society for descendants of individuals enslaved in English colonial America and the United States of America from 1619-1865. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of our freed and enslaved ancestors. The organization was started in 2011 and incorporated in Washington, D.C. SDUSMP is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3 organization. The organization was formed to “primarily celebrate our connections to all Africans brought to Colonial British America and to the United States of America as enslaved or unfree people. However, we celebrate the lives of all ancestors of African Americans, descendants of enslaved people brought to these shores.”

The mission is “to encourage descendants to identify and connect to their enslaved ancestors; to start local chapters; to educate the public about the institution of slavery in the U.S. and its lingering effects; to memorialize our enslaved ancestors, to preserve artifacts and places related to slavery; and to strengthen family ties among our members.”

I was able to join SDUSMP by documenting the enslavement of my great-great grandfather Philip McQuerter who was born about 1843 in Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi, and died there on 6 May 1899 at age 55. Philip married Patsy Jane Williams, who was born about 1847 in Woodville and died there on 24 December 1899 at age 52. Philip and Patsy had 13 surviving children in Woodville: Sucky (1863), Eliza (1868), Emma (1870), Philip (1872), Caroline (1876), Milly Ann (1877), Fanny (1879), Jerry (1880), Minerva (1882), Hattie (1884), Taylor (1890), Hannah (1892), and Amanda (1894).

My direct lineage to Philip Mcquerter is through his oldest daughter, my great grandmother Sucky, who was born during the Civil War in 1863. Philip enlisted in Company A of the 81st Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry in January 1865 under the name of Philip Brown. Sucky’s youngest son, my grandfather, Cleveland Payne, was born in 1900.

I provided supporting documentation that included Civil War Pension records, deed, and probate records, to show that Philip McQuerter and his family were enslaved by the Burton, Brown, and Still families of Woodville, Mississippi.

Now that I have joined, it is much easier for all the descendants of Philip McQuerter, and those who were enslaved on plantations with him, to find their ancestors and to become members. To apply, descendants need to show how they are related to one of the down-line descendants of Philip McQuerter, then attach the record copy of my application for membership or refer to my national membership #10129.

The SDUSMP acceptance letter stated “we will cherish and honor the memory of your ancestor, Philip McQuerter, for his service to our country through his labor and endurance of slavery in the United States of America… As a member, we value your feedback and input as we grow the organization.”

Sons and Daughters is a national organization that has created an institution for descendants of enslaved Africans to identify, document, preserve the history, and celebrate the lives of their ancestors. That is a noble cause.