Juneteenth is a Federal Holiday. I think my great, grandfather would be proud.

Our Story....

Just a boy, Borg Felton was a runaway slave—considered to be lost property. Truth is, he was brave and strong—refusing to be oppressed and enslaved, risking his life for freedom.

Integrating among the Suma Indian tribe in West Texas, he later took a wife and started a family. Having difficulty pronouncing her Suma-given name, he simply called her India.

Even though President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Texas didn't get the word that slaves had been freed until June 19, 1865. Later, Borg returned home (with India) to the family he’d left behind at the tender age of 11.

I'm the youngest great grandchild of Borg and India Felton, who were the parents of my grandmother (Denetter Felton Herring Walker), and grandparents of my mother (Paulanner Herring Reed Rivers). Though most of my mother’s ancestors are buried in the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Stampley, Mississippi, we're not sure where Great-Grandfather Borg’s body rests.

As for Great Grandmother India, the Suma Indian tribe is said to be extinct after migrating to the Apache tribe.  But Inda's blood runs warmly through my viens and so does the blood Borg Felton.  

I'm the youngest great grandchild of Borg and India Felton, parents of Denetter Felton Herring Walker, mother of Paulanner Herring Reed Rivers.

Though most of my mother’s ancestors are buried in the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Stampley, Mississippi, we're not sure where Great-Grandfather Borg’s body rests. However, deep in the cemetary burial grounds, we have recently located the grave of a decendent named after India Felton. What was an amazing find....

Borg's faith and resilience encourages us to believe, dream and acheive great things in the midst of controversy and restriction.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth in honor of our Great-Grandfather Borg's return home.

Welcome Home Borg!  

Juneteenth Challenge:

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