Melissa (Malissa) Wortham Jackson (1848–1944), affectionately known as “Aunt Malissa” or “Big Mama,” was a remarkable figure in Brunswick County’s history.

According to family tradition, Melissa was born enslaved in Bladen County, North Carolina and, following emancipation, Melissa, her mother Faithie Wortham, and sister Celie Johnson journeyed by raft to Brunswick County, North Carolina.

There she would build a lasting legacy. In 1872, Melissa married John Jackson, and together they raised ten children. Despite having no formal education, she became a respected midwife under the tutelage of Dr. J. Arthur Dosher.

Her entrepreneurial spirit flourished as she became one of the largest landowners in Brunswick County, purchasing around 800 acres of farmland. When no place of worship was available, she built a church on her own land — the foundation of what is now Brown’s Chapel AME Zion Church.

In addition to farming and midwifery, Melissa owned the shrimp boat Snap Shot, providing employment for many of her children. Her unwavering determination and contributions to her community made her a pioneering force, leaving a legacy of resilience, faith, and self-sufficiency.
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Image and narrative source: City of Southport, North Carolin