
The Rev. A.G. Miller, pastor at Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship, recently delivered a presentation on a piece of his family’s history and how it connects to Juneteenth.
Miller, at a June 20 Oberlin Public Library event, told the story of his great-grandfather Charles Wheeler, who fought in the 62nd Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry, based out of Missouri, in the Civil War.
A portion of Miller’s presentation focused on the role Black soldiers played in the war, essentially fighting for their own freedom.
Miller elaborated on how Wheeler and his regiment fought against Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Texas which took place in May 1865, a month after the Confederacy had surrendered. Miller said this was an example of the need for federal enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, which became the event that inspired Juneteenth.
Miller also told the story of his great-grandfather’s role in the founding of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. The school was created in 1866 in by Black Civil War veterans, including members of the 62nd Regiment.
Miller said telling and learning the history of Juneteenth should always be a part of the celebrations of the holiday.
“I think that’s the most critical part,” he said. “I think we can celebrate and it’s great we have created this holiday, but I think a vast majority of people still have no idea what’s behind it.”
Miller said telling Black history is as important as ever with recent censorship-focused political movements in the United States.
“We now have the whitewashing of this history with the banning of books, disparaging DEI and it goes on and on,” he said. “If we aren’t about educating ourselves and our children and resisting those who try to color coat history, we are doing ourselves a great disservice.”
Miller said for those who want to do a deep dive into their family history like he did, it all starts with conversations.
“Go and talk to the grandmothers, grandfathers, great uncles and great aunts,” he said. “Go back and talk to the elders in your family and ask them, ‘where did you come from, where did your mama come from, where did your grandmother come from? Did you grow up in the South or did you grow up in the North?’”
Miller’s wife Brenda Grier-Miller has also done genealogical work to learn more about her family. She said you never know which stories you hear from relatives will help you make progress with your research.
“When you’re talking to people, listen to their stories,” she said. “Sometimes they’ll help you verify stuff later on. It may make no rhyme or reason right now but it could even be ‘so and so walked funny.’ You may be able to validate something you find out later on.”