“A True Friend”: Honoring the enduring legacy of Candice Newman, Vicksburg’s matriarch of grace and grit

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured plot is dedicated to Candice Newman. Like many familial histories of those who were enslaved, we know very little about Candice’s origin apart from her birth in 1798 on a plantation in South Carolina. Though her early years are left in virtual obscurity, her noteworthiness as a person would inevitably lead to well-deserved recognition later in life.

This is where our story begins.

Candice made her way to Vicksburg when she was purchased by Thomas Newman and relocated to his plantation. Along with being introduced to new surroundings, she was also introduced to her future husband, William. During her time of enslavement, Candice proved herself to be an impressively resourceful woman, and by 1840 had secured both her and her husband’s freedom. During this period, several states prohibited free persons of color to continue residing within the community. But as they say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Candice successfully petitioned the legislature and was granted permission to remain in Mississippi.

With their freedom and citizenship established, Candice and William started the Newman Dairy Farm and purchased a parcel of land to build their home, Candon Hearth. William was a barber by trade, which left Candice as the dairy farm’s sole operator. Her business acuity would soon see the farm flourish and significantly impact the African American community. Their success, accomplished through hard work, afforded them the ability to hire enslaved youths to work on the farm. As their finances allowed, Candice and William would also procure the freedom of several of these hired hands, as they had done for themselves years before.

“When I liberate myself, I liberate others.”

Fannie Lou Hamer

Of course, by 1863, the Newmans found themselves quite literally in the crosshairs of upheaval. When the Civil War arrived in Vicksburg, portions of their property abutted against Confederate defense lines and therefore gave them a front-row seat to the horrors of war. Many of the possessions they had painstakingly worked for were pilfered by the Confederates, and their house was severely damaged during the siege. As if these hardships were not enough, on June 4, a stray shell crashed into their home, causing the death of Candice’s beloved husband, William. No doubt grief-stricken, Candice once again saw her property raided for anything of value or use… this time by the Federal troops camped near her home, who only provided her with the consolatory remark that, “Uncle Sam would take care of it.”

The personal and financial toll of the siege caused Candice significant losses. But ever the resilient woman, she managed to keep her farm in operation. In 1874, Candice filed suit for $2,229 against the federal government for damages incurred on her property resulting from the war. By 1875, Candice had won her case and was awarded $910—a fraction of her original claim. With legal matters now behind her, Candice turned her focus back to her work within the community and did not stop until her death in 1894. The admiration and love felt for her was made evident in her obituary:

“Mrs. Candice Newman died at her home on Hall’s Ferry Road last night. The old lady had reached the age of 96, and no colored person in this county had more warm and devoted friends among both races than did ‘Aunt Candice,’ as she was affectionately called. Her residence here for more than three-quarters of a century has been marked by many deeds of charity, and her demise will be mourned by a large circle of friends. Some years before the late war she bought her freedom… Mrs. Newman accumulated considerable property, and has been foster mother to a number of orphan children, who she has cared for with gentle tenderness and who will mourn the loss of a dear and devoted friend…”

Candice is buried next to her husband in Cedar Hill Cemetery, and her grave bears the inscription, “A True Friend.“

Cedar Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 2024 with the goal of assisting the City of Vicksburg in restoration and beautification of our historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The Association will be presenting its inaugural tour event “Voices from the Hills” on October 16, 17, and 18, 2025 as part of Vicksburg’s Bicentennial Celebrations. For more information or to get involved, contact chcassociation@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.