Baker, Ronald L. Abandoned Friendless, and you will Penniless: The fresh WPA Interview with Former Slaves Located in Indiana. Bloomington: Indiana University Push: 2000.
Furnish, Draw A beneficial. “A Rosetta Stone into the Slavery’s Doorstep: Eleutherian College or university while the Shed Antislavery History of Jefferson County, Indiana.” Ph.D. diss., Purdue University, 2014.
Kersey (Carsey) and his household is actually listed in the fresh 1850 census with the county, but because of the 1861 he could be submitted inside the Essex Condition, Canada Western, also the Thurmans (Terman) a separate early surname off Jennings State
Audrey C. Werle “Browse Notes towards Indiana Ebony Background,” Meters 792, William Henry Smith Art gallery Library, Indiana Historical People, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Brand new 19th century African american society of Johnson Condition are brief however, really does tell you a substantial increase between 1860 and you will 1870. Informants mention portion that appear become more like communities however, subsequent data are justified. The areas are definitely the Stockyards (1859-1870s) towards the east side of Franklin; an enthusiastic unnamed section of Franklin centered on West Madison Road (1860s to present); a keen unnamed, undefined area inside Edinburgh; and you may Idlewilde inside Hensley Township and that never ever set up since the platted plenty was in fact too tiny.
Kersey (Carsey) with his home try listed in new 1850 census towards the state, however, by the 1861 he’s recorded from inside the Essex Condition, Canada West, along with the Thurmans (Terman) a unique early surname off Jennings Condition
Audrey C. Werle “Lookup Notes towards the Indiana Dark colored Records,” Yards 792, William Henry Smith Art gallery Collection, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Created in 1817, Jennings County got very early African Americans settlers. Forty-seven totally free blacks was indeed specified with its very first federal decennial census for the 1820 census. The brand new black colored inhabitants continued to rise–58 inside the 1830; 158 for the 1840; 323 during the 1850; 151 into the 1860 (noticeable fall off); and you may 422 within the 1870.
Xenia Age. Cord’s “Black colored Outlying Settlements in Indiana before 1860” shows that Jennings Condition, regardless if unnamed, had you to antebellum, black colored rural society. The brand new Historic Black colored American Sites and you can Formations from inside the Jennings State published because of the Maintenance Organization demonstrates that southern of city of Vernon there is certainly funds also known as Richland otherwise Africa (situated in Vernon Township). Audrey Werle’s lookup cards along with highly recommend an early on settlement on top of that to help you Below ground Railroad craft.
Early landowners within Vernon Township payment included Dennis Carsey (Kersey) produced during the Georgia inside 1789 and you can William Hood, the latest young buck of Innovative Combat seasoned (exact same label) out of Jefferson County, Indiana. Carsey purchased a total of 80 acres away from federal home to get forty acres when you look at the 1834, and you can once again into the 1837. Hood’s government property commands included one or two deals inside the 1841 having a good complete off 160 acres. In the 1850, there have been 21 black landowners within the Jennings Condition, whose a property try with each other valued during the $8,140 (Heller). The brand new Historical Black American Web sites and you may Formations states one or two possessions facts, an1841 deed purchase getting a Richland Cemetery as well as the 1847 action having a plot of land Indianapolis, IN in USA brides into the African Methodist Episcopal Church one finalized in the 1900. Several of the Jennings State surnames recorded about Indiana Negro Register1852-1865 become Dennis, Dye, Vickery, and you can Valentine, that have birthplaces indexed since Sc and Georgia. Aaron Wallace, along with enumerated throughout the 1830 Jennings State census, could be the exact same individual that particular Indianapolis record guides value while the city’s basic black colored citizen. (To arrive in early 1820s, Aaron Wallace are the young slave from General John Tipton, exactly who assisted discover city since next county money.) The latest Richland Settlement belongings has started to become a portion of the Crosley Condition Seafood and Animals Urban area. A beneficial cemetery with marks of some headstones is all one to stays.
From inside the 1830 the latest census suggests a maximum of half dozen totally free somebody regarding color staying in the fresh condition. Milly Magill brains a family out-of around three lesser people during the Franklin Township where in fact the city of Franklin is based. Others one or two specified anyone inhabit Nineveh and you may Bluish Lake Townships.