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Leon A. Mawson Remembers Civil Rights Leader, Rothschild Francis ~ 1930s

Leon A. Mawson honors Civil leader, Rothschild Polly Francis in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s By Valerie Sims

In 1987, Leon A. Mawson published his first book, Persecuted and Prosecuted.  

It was about the life of the Civil Rights leader, Rothschild “Polly” Francis.

While working as a court stenographer in St. Thomas during the late 1920’s, Mr. Mawson was privy to the prejudices and injustices directed at Mr. Francis in the court room.

As a reluctant eye-witness to the unfounded animosity against him, Mr. Mawson felt compelled to write this book.

Leon A. Mawson honors Rothschild Polly Francis in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s By Valerie Sims
Leon A. Mawson (Grandfather) Photo by © Ronald R. Walker

Background of Rothschild Francis

Rothschild polly francis in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies
Rothschild Polly Francis, Photo Courtesy of Dansk Vestindisk Selskab

Born into a life of poverty in 1891, Mr. Francis understood the suffering and distress of others in the same situation.  

He dedicated his life’s work to fight for economic independence and to act as a public defender for the civil rights of his fellow citizens. 

Publishing his own newspaper, the Emancipator, allowed him a platform to share his political views.

  • We want no form of government which is half civil and half Naval, he said. We want a purely civil form of American insular government.  
  • We want U.S. Citizenship for all and will be content with nothing less. (The Emancipator, Oct 5, 1925.)

Unfortunately, some of the people he served and fought so hard to represent, betrayed him, by collaborating with his enemies and sending him to jail.

On the day Mr. Francis was released from prison, Mr. Mawson heard him utter the following words.

 The Mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

When the Judge responsible for Francis’ prison sentence, was dismissed from his post after a heated argument with the Governor, Mr. Mawson remembered the phrase Francis previously uttered.  

“The Mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”

Historical Book

Mr. Mawson’s book serves as a wonderful reference to the life of Rothschild “Polly” Francis.

It includes the court case transcripts, editorials from the Emancipator (1920s) and notes from the committee hearings for the bill to provide a Civil Government for the US Virgin Islands.

It’s a convenient, historical collection, bound for the reader in a soft-covered version.  

It is a real time-saver if one were to attempt to gather this information on their own.  

Mr. Mawson brought the gift of a scholar and the dedication of a patriot to this task.

Anyone interested in the history of the US Virgin Islands will value this historical book as a part of their collection.  

It’s a masterful portrait of a forgotten hero. 

Copies of the newly-released, second printing can be purchased below.  

Purchase Below

Leon A. Mawson honors Civil leader, Rothschild Polly Francis in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s By Valerie Sims
Available for sale

October 5th was proclaimed Rothschild Francis Day.

You may order this book by sending an email to VintageVI (at) icloud (dot) com. 

Cost is $40.00 plus shipping from St. John, US Virgin Islands. Currently, there are only 6 copies left as of October 13, 2023.

(Postal money orders accepted)

Thank you!

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