06/19/2026
Today, we honor Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
This photograph, taken in the 1880s, depicts Tom and Mosianna Milledge, who were both enslaved before gaining their freedom in 1865.
Tom Milledge was a respected member of Savannah’s community. Upon his death in 1886, his obituary noted that he “had the respect of both white and colored people.” He served with the Forest City Light Infantry and was a member of Eureka Lodge. Together, Tom and Mosianna raised three children: William, Thomas Jr., and Mary.
Following emancipation, Mosianna became a cook for William Low and his wife, Juliette Gordon Low. She later traveled with the young couple to England, where her culinary talents left a lasting impression. Mosianna is credited with teaching Southern and African American cooking traditions to Rosa Lewis, who would go on to become one of London’s most celebrated chefs, serving distinguished guests, including members of the royal family.
As we commemorate Juneteenth, we remember not only the end of slavery, but also the lives, contributions, resilience, and legacies of individuals like Tom and Mosianna Milledge, whose stories continue to enrich our understanding of American history.
