Created in 1840, Benton Condition, found in the northwestern element of Indiana, is amongst the nation’s prominent counties

“The brand new Nigger Mountain” Exodus and you can Conflict Told through Regional Historian” (Undated newsprint article; keeps a keen Editor’s Mention- “That it papers try discover because of the George Pence just before a joint meeting of your Bartholomew Condition Historical Community as well as the Family Literary Bar held within his prize during the Donner Playground, July 29 1927.”)

“Very early Suggestions of African People in the us for the Bartholomew Condition, Indiana.” [Some of these content copied getting Bartholomew County EAASHI venture files, June 2014]

Robbins, Coy D. “Black Agreements into the Indiana Connected to this new African Methodist Episcopal Church 1840-1845,” due to the fact penned about African Methodist Episcopal Chapel Journal, George Hogarth, ed. (Gathered of Times, Indiana Yearly Meeting, African Methodist Church, 1840-1845.)

They boasted of experiencing the most effective and you will greatly fertile prairie homes (VanNatta). According to early censuses, there were no African People in america residing in Benton Condition from 1840 because of 1870. From inside the 1880, there are six some one, all unmarried people from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, whoever surnames was indeed Corington, Curtes, Shelby and Grain. It has worked due to the fact farm laborers, housekeepers and you will barbers. Audrey Werle’s research into African People in the us provided zero analysis to possess Benton State, so there is no proof of a rural payment or neighborhood out of African People in the us.

Bibliography

Audrey C. Werle “Research Notes on the Indiana African american Background,” Meters 792, William Henry Smith Memorial Collection, Indiana Historic Area, Indianapolis, Indiana

Brand new nineteenth century African american inhabitants inside the Blackford County are minimal. For the 1840 the federal census shown a maximum of thirteen 100 % free folks of colour remaining in the fresh state delivered below: Washington Township, populace 2; Licking Township, population step 1; and you will Harrison Township, people 10. The brand new 10 some body within the Harrison Township lived in just one home headed from the Jefferson Hill. The household included dos men significantly less than ten; step three guys ten to 23; 1 male thirty-six-52; 2 people 10 so you’re able to 23; 1 female 24 so you’re able to 35; and you will step 1 female 55 so you’re able to 99.

When you look at the 1850 the general black colored inhabitants regarding condition decrease so you’re able to eleven that have eight some body residing in Slurping Township and you may four somebody staying in Harrison Township. The new Jefferson Mountain domestic try went from Blackford Condition. It difference between asian women can appear they relocated eastern along side county line in order to surrounding Jay Condition, Penn Township. Of the 1850 Jefferson Hill, a Virginia indigenous is actually a 56-year-dated character. The rest of the house included Delilah Mountain, decades 40, created inside the Ohio, about three Hill pupils created for the Indiana (Henderson, many years nine; Eliza, age six; and you can Lydia, decades step 3). The other people in the family had been Sally Hill, ages 24, produced into the Virginia; James Hill, decades 19, created inside the Kansas; and you can Sibba Slope, ages 83, produced inside Virginia.

Jefferson Hill was still agriculture, and you may Sibby (Sibba) Hill had been alive at the 102! It was about an effective twenty-seasons ages change throughout the previous census.

In the 1870 discover all in all, fourteen African People in america in Blackford Condition all residing in Licking Township. Audrey Werle’s 1870 List out of Brains of Property listings the next names: Larenzo Brooks, a 34 year old hairdresser; Environmentally friendly Rodgers, 34; and you may James Elizabeth. Frazier, 36, the second a few who focus on brand new railway.

Inside 1860 brand new Hill relatives was still staying in Penn Township, Jay Condition, in a fairly other setting

Regarding upcoming ages, discover proof of racial isolation in the county. Very first, regarding 1920s the Ku klux Klan centered a strong exposure on state. Disguised and you will robed people participated in large societal rallies. 2nd, on the fresh 1940 loss of this new highly regarded exec and you will captain engineer from the a beneficial corrugated report team, George Stevens, residents of Hartford City was indeed “numb which have amaze” to learn that the latest respected person in its neighborhood wasn’t white.