Family members honor Celia Newsom on 169th anniversary of execution one day after Gov. Parson’s posthumous pardon

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Fulton Human Rights Commission and the Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation gathered on Saturday night to honor Celia Newsom, who was executed for killing her enslaver, Robert Newsom in 1855.

The commission has long recognized Dec. 21 as a day dedicated to honoring Celia. However, organizers said this year’s gathering was especially meaningful, as Governor Mike Parson granted a posthumous pardon to Celia on Friday.

Pamela West Brooks-Hodge, Celia’s second great-granddaughter spoke to the crowd Saturday night about the importance of the tradition.

“It is a privilege to be with all of you on the 169th anniversary of the unjust execution of our beloved Celia,”Brooks-Hodge said.

According to a chronology of the case put together by UMKC Law School, Celia’s story began at 19 years old. She killed her enslaver after years of enduring abuse.

On June 23, 1855, she struck him twice with a large stick, resulting in his death, and then burned his body to hide the evidence. Despite the circumstances of her actions, Celia was denied a fair trial. Missouri law at the time prohibited enslaved individuals from testifying in their own defense when their statements contradicted those of white individuals.

Celia was convicted on Oct. 10, 1855, and executed Dec. 21, 1855.

Governor Parson’s pardon was an act of reconciliation, according to Celia's family members.

It was one of 16 pardons he issued on Friday, acknowledging past wrongs and offering second chances. Celia's descendants, expressed their appreciation for the governor's actions.

"I think that's great that he's you know, willing to have that sort of mindset in terms of leaving a legacy here with the people of Missouri and not just Missouri but really the United States, where he's pardoning individuals for crimes they committed or I guess for being found guilty of a crime," Celia's third great grandson Jerome Turner said.

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp serves as the vice president of Race Matters, Friends, a nonprofit organization dedicated to anti-racism education, community consciousness-raising, and social equity. During the summer, Wilson-Kleekamp sent a letter to Governor Parson regarding the clemency case of Celia. Wilson-Kleekamp believes there is still much work to be done in the pursuit of justice.

"Well, in the context of the police officer being committed in Kansas City for killing an innocent man, and the governor has also been okay with killing another innocent man, Marcellus Williams. I would say that our criminal justice system has worked like it has since 1855," Wilson-Kleekamp said.

Wilson-Kleekamp stated that Celia, along with many others, had to navigate a system that worked against them.

"I believe Celia had a protocol to demand justice that was not a part of our American justice system. It was a different system and a different ideology to get the justice that she needed and what she chose was not easy," Wilson-Kleekamp said.

The family has worked for years to honor Celia’s memory, creating five “justice pillars” to guide their mission, with the pardon being the first and most significant achievement.

"We are seeking a pardon for Celia. Check that box. We're so grateful to Governor Parson and incoming Governor Lieutenant Mike Kehoe," Brooks-Hodge said.

The evening served as a time for reflection and hope, with attendees and family members expressing gratitude for the pardon and their belief in the justice Celia deserved.

"I think we all need to celebrate it. She went through a lot. She endured more than any young girl should ever have to endure in her life and it ended so tragically because she was not considered a human. She was considered chattel," Newsom's fourth granddaughter, Della Fogle said.

Celia's grandchildren emphasized the importance of keeping her story alive.

"It's affected untold hundreds of thousands of colored women, not just African-American women, but colored women from various races, Turner said. "So, it would be important for them to hear about what took place and be aware of it as well."

Among the initiatives discussed was a push for humanity education legislation that would mandate teaching Celia's story and other similar narratives in schools.

"Passing humanity education legislation that would require that Celia's story and the summit and so many other stories of dehumanizing Missourians that those stories are taught in an age appropriate way in our schools," Brooks-Hodge said.

Celia’s family hopes her story will inspire ongoing efforts for justice and equality. The Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation is seeking donations to help share her story and preserve her legacy.