08/27/2026
Terry J. Ligon to Discuss New Book on Enslaved Black People and the Trail of Tears
Author and genealogical researcher Terry J. Ligon will discuss his new book, Enslaved on the Trail of Tears: Race, Removal and the Transformation of Indian Territory, during a special author presentation at the Ardmore Public Library.
📅 The event will take place October 9 at 12:00 p.m.
Published by The History Press, Ligon's 224-page book was released May 26, 2026. The book examines an often-overlooked chapter of the Trail of Tears—the experiences of enslaved Black people who traveled west with the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole Nations during Indian Removal. Ligon's research explores the lives of enslaved men, women and children, differences in slavery practices among the Five Tribes, the role of Native women who were enslavers, the history of Black Seminoles, and the ways slavery and forced migration helped shape the development of Indian Territory, which later became Oklahoma.
A significant part of Ligon's research focuses on African Americans whose experiences have sometimes been overlooked or misclassified in historical records. His work seeks to restore their names, family connections and personal experiences to the broader historical narrative.
Ligon's work provides an important connection between the Trail of Tears, slavery, Freedmen history and the eventual settlement and development of Oklahoma. His research examines Dawes Rolls, land allotments, census records, Congressional records and Equity Case 7071, making the book particularly valuable for individuals interested in Oklahoma history and African-American genealogy. The public is invited to attend this informative presentation and learn more about a largely overlooked part of the history of Indian Territory and Oklahoma.
📅 Date: October 9
🕑 Time: 12:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Ardmore Public Library, 320 E St NW, Ardmore, Oklahoma
For More Information:
Cedric Bailey — (817) 703-3511
Ardmore Public Library — (580) 223-8290
