Established in 1840, Benton State, found in the northwestern part of Indiana, is just one of the state’s biggest areas

Established in 1840, Benton State, found in the northwestern part of Indiana, is just one of the state’s biggest areas

“The newest Nigger Slope” Exodus and you may Feud Told through Local Historian” (Undated newsprint blog post; has an Editor’s Mention- “It papers was read from the George Pence just before a combined conference of one’s Bartholomew State Historic Neighborhood while the Domestic Literary Club held in the prize on Procurer Park, July 31 1927.”)

“Early Ideas off African Americans inside Bartholomew State, Indiana.” [Any of these information duplicated getting Bartholomew State EAASHI venture files, Summer 2014]

Robbins, Coy D. “Black colored Agreements within the Indiana Connected to the fresh African Methodist Episcopal Chapel 1840-1845,” just like the published on African Methodist Episcopal Chapel Magazine, George Hogarth, ed. (Accumulated out of Minutes, Indiana Annual Conference, African Methodist Church, 1840-1845.)

It boasted of obtaining the most effective and you will vastly rich prairie home (VanNatta). Depending on the early censuses, there were no African Us citizens residing Benton Condition of 1840 compliment of 1870. In 1880, there have been six somebody, all the unmarried folks from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, whose surnames was indeed Corington, Curtes, Shelby and you can Wheat. It did since ranch laborers, housekeepers and you will barbers. Audrey Werle’s browse on the African People in america offered zero investigation to have Benton County, there is no proof an outlying settlement or area away from African Us citizens.

Bibliography

Audrey C. Werle “Lookup Notes for the Indiana Ebony Background,” Meters 792, William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, Indiana

The newest nineteenth century Ebony populace into the Blackford County are limited. Inside the 1840 the brand new federal census expressed a maximum of 13 totally free folks of colour staying in the brand new county delivered the following: Arizona Township, society dos; Slurping Township, people 1; and Harrison Township, population 10. The fresh 10 somebody for the Harrison Township lived-in a single domestic headed of the Jefferson Slope. Your family incorporated dos men less than ten; 3 men 10 so you can 23; step one male thirty-six-52; 2 female ten so you can 23; step one female 24 in order to thirty-five; and you may step 1 female 55 in order to 99.

Inside 1850 the entire black colored inhabitants regarding the state dropped to eleven that have seven individuals remaining in Licking Township and you may five anyone residing in Harrison Township. The new Jefferson Slope family is went regarding Blackford Condition. It can arrive it moved eastern across the state range in order to surrounding Jay County, Penn Township. By the 1850 Jefferson Mountain, a Virginia indigenous are an effective 56-year-dated character. Other home provided Delilah Slope, many years 40, created into the Ohio, three Slope college students born when you look at the Indiana (Henderson, years nine; Eliza, ages six; and Lydia, ages 3). The other people in your family was Sally Mountain, decades 24, created inside Virginia; James Hill, ages 19, created from inside the Ohio; and you will Sibba Hill, years 83, produced into the Virginia.

Jefferson Hill had been agriculture, and Sibby (Sibba) Hill was still alive at 102! This was on an effective twenty-year years improvement regarding earlier census Campina grande in Brazil wives.

Inside 1870 discover a total of 14 African Us citizens into the Blackford State the residing in Licking Township. Audrey Werle’s 1870 Directory away from Heads off Domiciles lists next names: Larenzo Brooks, a 30 something hairdresser; Eco-friendly Rodgers, 34; and you can James E. Frazier, thirty-six, the latter one or two whom focus on the railroad.

Within the 1860 the latest Mountain members of the family was still staying in Penn Township, Jay State, in the a fairly some other setup

About upcoming years, there clearly was evidence of racial isolation on the condition. Earliest, in the 1920s the newest Ku klux Klan created a robust exposure in the state. Masked and you will robed professionals participated in higher personal rallies. Next, through to the brand new 1940 death of the fresh well-respected manager and you may chief professional during the an effective corrugated papers company, George Stevens, people regarding Hartford Area were “numb having surprise” to learn that brand new known person in their people was not white.