The Gold Rush changed the course of California history and state seizures of land once owned by African Americans has spurred demands for reparations and recognition BHM
It’s a hot summer evening in July 2021 at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park cemetery, final resting site of Coloma’s historical pioneers. Jonathan Burgess and his twin brother, Matthew Burgess, stand at the foot of the grave of their great-great-grandfather, Rufus M. Burgess, reflecting on his legacy. This park, site of the California Gold Rush, is now a source of dispute between an African American family and the state of California over land ownership.
The Burgess family contends their ancestors once owned land that today amounts to “half the park.” But there is currently no land ownership in Coloma under the family name and their historical ties are not publicly evident on park grounds. Therein lies the crux of the dispute between park officials and the Burgesses in their effort to obtain both reparations and recognition of their family’s legacy.
For the Burgess family, the narrative told by the park in the form of public tours and other documentation conflicts with their own oral history, deeds, and letters passed down by their ancestors. To their chagrin, there is no formal acknowledgment of the family’s ties to the land and no reparations are currently underway.
Such was the case for Rufus M. Burgess, an enslaved man living in Kentucky, whose freedom was paid for by his father, Rufus Burgess Sr., upon arriving to California. He traveled to Coloma in 1851, accompanied by his soon-to-be former enslaver. With his newfound freedom, Rufus M. Burgess went to work, eventually acquiring enough gold to buy land.In 2000, Marion Burgess, Rufus M.
In a recent email, Lee wrote that a deed from 1881 now indicates the land once owned by Rufus was about 11 acres. The Burgess property was close to where gold was discovered and there was an urgency to obtain the land for park use. It was seized by the state two years later—along with properties belonging to other Coloma residents, including Pearly Monroe whose family members also were formerly enslaved, eventually gained their freedom and acquired land. A 1950 article inEmmanuel Church, built in 1855, remains standing at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
The Burgess property sits on an empty field covered with weeds. There are no markings tying the property to the original owner. Park officials say they’re cooperating with the Burgesses in their effort to have the family’s legacy formally acknowledged but the full extent of land ownership must still go through a verification process for signage or some other form of recognition to be installed.
At this building, visitors to the state park can witness blacksmithing and horseshoeing at it was done by early settlers in Coloma, California.“I think that we’re putting it in the location that it should be, which is over here by the grange [Grange Hall],” Smith said in July. “When we met with Jonathan that was part of our discussion, putting it down here where it belongs because that would be the location.
“I remember as a little girl going into the blacksmith shop, which reminded me of a barn. There was hay there on the right, there was all this blacksmith equipment in the center of it. Right in the forefront, there was a picture of my dad's father, Rufus Burgess on the wall in his military outfit,” Tonia recalls. “My mom was so pissed, she told them, ‘That is not correct. That is not the right Rufus that you have on that wall.
According to the family, Nelson Bell was the name given to Rufus Burgess Sr. after he was enslaved. He is the father of Rufus M. Burgess; grandfather of Rufus Burgess ; great-grandfather of Milton Burgess; and great-great-grandfather to twin brothers Jonathan and Matthew Burgess and their sister Tonia Burgess.
This is yet another point of contention between the park and the Burgess family. Park affiliates do not acknowledge any bloodline between Nelson Bell and Rufus M. Burgess. During a reporting trip to the park over the summer, Lee, the association member, served as a tour guide. Asked if there's a connection between Rufus Burgess and Nelson Bell, he said:"I don't believe so, and the only way to prove it is a DNA test.
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