Christmas Hemming enshrined in state history

Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Christmas Hemming, born into slavery in the 1830s, rose to become one of the largest landowners in Suwannee County's early history. After gaining his freedom, he purchased land in 1885 for $1,000, establishing what would become a significant part of the area’s agricultural history. Hemming lived an extraordinary life, passing away in 1920 at the age of 110. More than a century later, his legacy began receiving renewed attention. In 2019, the Southern Heritage Pioneer Farm—established on the land Hemming purchased—was recognized as the first African-American Century Pioneer Farm in Florida. As she continued uncovering her family’s past, Hemmi