not, it might appear, one to particular kept alot more open-minded opinions compared to surrounding Wells and Blackford Counties. Abolitionists for example John P. Shanks was basically a strong determine as there are considerable proof of Underground Railway pastime especially in Penn Township. Liber try based in the 1853 by the an effective Presbyterian missionary. Whenever George Lowe (aka George Huntsman), an ebony, is advised just like the a student, particular stockholders objected and you will withdrew the service on college or university. Farmers’ Academy try based since good segregated institution from the College Place, merely a preliminary range subsequently out-of Liber University.
McBride, Michael. “College Over, But Background Still Strong.” Muncie [Indiana] Star Drive, letter.d.. (IHS clippings document) Montgomery, Yards.W. Reputation for Jay Condition. 1864. Reprint, Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, 1969.
U.S. Agency of your Census. “Aggregate Quantity of For every single Malfunction out of People in this Section regarding Indiana,” 1: 352. Sixth Census of the You, 1840. Washington, D.C.: You.S. Census Place of work, 1841.
U.S. Agency of Census. “Population out of Municipal Departments Less than Areas; Table III-State off Indiana,” 1: 124. Ninth Census of one’s You, 1870. Arizona, D.C.: You.S. Authorities Printing Place of work, 1872.
Jefferson State is actually shaped from inside the 1811, and filed very early payment by the African People in the us, of several in advance of statehood. According to U.S. Federal Census, inside 1820 there were all in all, 112 free people of colour. This new black colored population went on to go up-240 when you look at the 1830, 429 when you look at the 1840, 568 in the 1850, 512 when you look at the 1860 (a little fall off) and a-sharp increase from 1105 inside the 1870. That early resident out of Jefferson County is actually William Hood. Within the 1818, Bonnet removed a pension getting his Innovative War Solution. Since an excellent sixteen –seasons –old servant when you look at the 1769, he had run away regarding his holder. By the 1800 he had been during the Rockingham, North carolina. He paid inside the Jefferson County, Indiana, some time before their matrimony in order to Kitty Debois on the August 9, 1812. Hood died for the 1829; his descendants was in fact found in Jefferson and you may Jennings counties by 1830. Some of the early surnames buy an Denver, MO wife listed in Coy D. Robbins’ Black Leaders in the Indiana 1830, is sold with Bolin, Evans, Grey, Griffin, Jackson and you can Stafford. In the 1850, there were 46 black colored landowners whose a residential property try collectively appreciated during the $thirty five,480. (Heller)
Among the many first rural settlements inside Jefferson Condition receive on the 2–step 3 kilometers north away from Hanover try Graysville. When a keen English traveler Edward S. Abdy toured Madison, Indiana in 1834, he came across John and you may Melinda Cosby (Crosby). Melinda told Abdy that they had come to the space throughout the 1821, after way of life over the river in the Kentucky- when you look at the anxiety about kidnapers, have been stealing pupils off free anyone and promoting them off southern. Abdy identifies the fresh settlers given that originating from Virginia and you may Kentucky. Some was liberated slaves, other people got bought its freedom and the people were originally freeman. There were a total of 11 household, having a people out of 129. John Cosby had several facilities comprising 137 acres. Graysville as well as had a dynamic church, college, and lots of cemeteries.
A new known rural payment are situated in Hailies away from Kentucky are one or two surnames regarding the this group. Matthew Hume’s story try advised in the WPA interview of former submissives surviving in Indiana. Hume had been produced a servant during the Kentucky; it actually was in the a-year after the Emancipation Proclamation before the guy knew he was 100 % free. Into the January step 1, 1865, he entered the brand new Ohio River on Madison. Hume and his household members turned active people in the brand new Hanover African Methodist Episcopal Chapel and you will donated possessions into build off a good the fresh college or university which had been completed in 1871. Suggestions regarding basic proof of a keen AME Church when you look at the Hanover is within 1842, taken from Times, Indiana Annual Appointment, African Methodist Episcopal Church 1840-1845, due to the fact typed regarding African Methodist Episcopal Church Magazine, George Hogarth, editor. The fresh church stays active now. You will find some cemeteries with the so it settlement.