John Cross purchased 100 acres of land called "The Cross Roads" in Many, Louisiana in the late 1700s. This land was farmed by John and subsequent generations of the family, producing crops like cotton and vegetables. The profits from the land allowed many family members to pursue higher education and careers, benefiting the family legacy for generations. Over 100 family members have directly or indirectly benefited financially and socially from the entrepreneurship of John Cross in establishing the family farm at The Cross Roads.

1. ¨The Cross Roads¨
How 100 acres change our family

2. Parents of John Cross: Names Unknown
The first recorded person along our ancestory line was a
man name John Cross. His parents immigrated from
England to the United States of America in the early to
mid-1700’s.
Their first entrance into the new land was through New
York’s Ellis island. After a brief time in Northern New
York, they would later migrate to Virginia in the late
1700’s.

3. John Cross
● Born in Virginia around 1790
○ In a 1820 census, John Cross was labeled as a 20
year old black male who worked for the Darden
Family. His occupation was as an architect using
Mosaic Design.
○ Lived in Virginia from 1790-1869
○ Listed as a free man and head of the household.

4. Register of Free Negros and Mutattoes
No. 582: John Cross- A dark brown near black
free Negro man, 5’-7’’ high (in shoes), and
about 27 years old. Has 2 scars on his right
cheek born (+), born free.
Noted on November 1815

5. Southern Migration
John and his wife Mary Cross, along with their six kids, moved from
Virginia to Many, La in 1879. From the money he earned as an
architect, John Cross was able to purchase 100 acres of land in Many.
The land would be later known as ¨The Cross Roads¨ among our
family
Goods produced at The Cross Roads
● Cotton
● Pigs
● Fruits and Vegetables

6. Pull Factors
Due to his entrepreneur spirit, John Cross saw
the opportunity to move south and purchased
his own land. Because of his boldness to take
a chance, he was able to:
● Increase his financial status
● better the quality of life for his family
● pass down an inheritance to his family

7. Many, Louisiana
The town of Many is the parish seat and the principal town of
the Sabine Parish. Known as the ¨land of Green Gold,¨ the
town was named for a commandant of Fort Jesup.
● John Baldwin (¨The Father of Many¨) operated a tavern on
El Camino Real (The Spanish King’s Highway).
● At Baldwin store Sam Houston, Jim Bowie, and Davie
Crockett stopped to water their horses before going to the
Alamo.
● Many is named after Colonel John B. Many.

8. From John & Mary Cross to Samuel
Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross

9. From John & Mary Cross to Samuel
Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross (Continued)

10. From John & Mary Cross to Samuel
Rayford & Rosie Sowell-Cross (Continued)

11. Hazel Ramona Cross (Granny)
● Daughter of Samuel R. Cross and Rosie
Sowell.
● 1 of 9 kids from Samuel and Rosie
● Morning Duty as a child:
○ pick cotton alongside her brothers at the Cross
Roads.
○ feed the hogs
¨My grandmother would have to work the family land every morning before she went to school. She
would have to walk six miles every morning to reach the Cross Roads.¨ (S.Davis, Student, November
1, 2014)

12. Hazel Ramona Cross (Continued)
● After graduation, the monies earned from
the family farm allowed Hazel Cross the
opportunity to attend Grambling University
in Louisiana.
● While at Grambling University she would
study education.
¨Granny always believed in education. She thought a good education could
cross over racial barriers.¨ (S.Davis, retired supervisor, October 20, 2014)

13. Gender Roles
The women were seen as equal to the men in
my great grandfather’s household and not as
inferior. With that belief, my grandmother
never felt that there was something she
couldn’t do. She always wanted to be given
the same opportunities as her brothers.
¨My grandfather hated excuses. He believed that his daughters could do
what his sons did. Everybody worked in his house.¨ (D.Davis, self-employeed,
November 5, 2014)

14. Hazel Cross & Frank Bryant Davis
After college, Hazel Cross met and married
Frank Bryant Davis who was a resident of
Many.
● Married on April 11, 1944
● Migrated to Houston, Tx in 1946
● Would later have 7 children while in
Houston
○ Frank, Bruce, Brenda, Maria, Samuel, Linda and David

15. Samuel Davis & Illa King
● Married
● Samuel Davis
○ Honorable Discharge from U.S. Air Force
○ Retired Maintenance Supervisor for B.P. Chemical
● Illa King-Davis
○ Aldine Independent School District (Education)
● Four Kids
○ Ronda, Bryant, Cobbe and Samuel (Sammy)

16. Impact of Agriculture
Because of the purchase of 100 acres by John
Cross, in Many, La, that land produced
financial support, food and the opportunity to
increase social status. I believe with the
purchase of the 100 acres in Many, La, our
entire family legacy was changed. The profits
from the land was able to fund the dreams of

17. Impact of Agriculture (Continued)
those who would follow. I also believe that if
you were not directly impacted by ¨The Cross
Roads¨ you still benefited from it indirectly.
Whether from a parent, grandparent or aunt,
we’ve all been touched in some way. From ¨The
Cross Roads¨ many of my family members have
been able to pursue their careers. ¨Daddy once told me
that he’d picked enough cotton for two life times.¨ (D.Davis, Self-Employeed,
October 5, 2014)

18. Beneficiaries of ¨The Cross Roads¨
Cary Sowell
● June 1890 accepted Jesus Christ while plowing the field
Samuel J. Cross
● Principal of schools in Belmont and Fisher
Rosie Pearl Sowell
● Teacher
Samuel D. Cross
● Attended Grambling and Texas Southern University,Sabine Parish
School Board
Hazel Ramona Cross
● Attended Grambling University
Eddie R. Hadden
● Hofstra School of Law
Frank L. Davis
● CIty of Houston (27 Years)
Samuel J. Davis
● National Football League
Shantel P. Davis
● Prairie View A&M University
William H. Shade
● St. Phillips College Professor
Willie Pearl Cross
● Sabine Parish High School
Charmaine Pope WIlliams
● University of Texas-El Paso (B.S. in Education)
Wilma M, Cross Pope
● Grambling University/school teacher
Anita Dianne Kennedy Patton
● Securities at Texas Commerce Bank
Frances D, Cross
● School teacher in North Forest ISD
Jon R. Ishop
● PT in the National Football League

19. PICTURES & BIOS

25. THE END