Established in 1840, Benton State, found in the northwestern element of Indiana, is amongst the state’s largest areas

“The newest Nigger Mountain” Exodus and you will Feud Told by Local Historian” (Undated newsprint post; features an Editor’s Notice- “That it report is actually realize from the George Pence prior to a joint meeting of the Bartholomew Condition Historic People therefore the Home Literary Bar kept within his award from the Procurer Park, July 31 1927.”)

“Early Info regarding African Americans during the Bartholomew County, Indiana.” [Some of these product duplicated to own Bartholomew Condition EAASHI investment records, Summer 2014]

Robbins, Coy D. “Black colored Agreements within the Indiana Associated with the fresh new African Methodist Episcopal Chapel 1840-1845,” due to the fact typed regarding the African Methodist Episcopal Chapel Mag, George Hogarth, ed. (Built-up out-of Minutes, Indiana Yearly Meeting, African Methodist Church, 1840-1845.)

It boasted of getting the top and you can significantly fruitful prairie home (VanNatta). According to the early censuses, there have been zero African Us americans residing in Benton Condition away from 1840 through 1870. For the 1880, there were six somebody, most of the single people from Kentucky, Indiana and you can Illinois, whose surnames was in fact Corington, Curtes, Shelby and you can Grain. It worked as the farm laborers, housekeepers and you may barbers. Audrey Werle’s look towards African Americans provided no data to possess Benton County, so there is zero proof a rural settlement otherwise community from African People in america.

Bibliography

Audrey C. Werle “Look Cards on Indiana Ebony Records,” Yards 792, William Henry Smith Art gallery Collection, Indiana Historical People, Indianapolis, Indiana

This new 19th century African american people inside the Blackford State try limited. Inside 1840 the newest Pembroke Pines, FL women federal census indicated a total of 13 100 % free people of color remaining in the brand new condition distributed the following: Washington Township, populace 2; Licking Township, inhabitants step 1; and you may Harrison Township, population ten. The fresh new 10 someone within the Harrison Township lived-in an individual family went of the Jefferson Mountain. Your family integrated dos males lower than ten; step three men 10 so you can 23; step one men 36-52; dos ladies ten so you can 23; 1 women 24 to help you 35; and you may step 1 women 55 in order to 99.

Into the 1850 the overall black society on condition fell to 11 with eight someone staying in Licking Township and you can five individuals residing in Harrison Township. Brand new Jefferson Mountain house are gone out-of Blackford County. It might appear they moved east along the condition line in order to nearby Jay State, Penn Township. Because of the 1850 Jefferson Mountain, a beneficial Virginia indigenous try an excellent 56-year-dated character. Other domestic integrated Delilah Hill, age 40, produced for the Ohio, about three Mountain students born inside the Indiana (Henderson, years 9; Eliza, age six; and Lydia, many years step three). Another people in the household was indeed Sally Mountain, age 24, produced in the Virginia; James Hill, years 19, born for the Ohio; and you will Sibba Mountain, decades 83, born in Virginia.

Jefferson Hill had been agriculture, and you can Sibby (Sibba) Mountain had been live at the 102! This was regarding an effective twenty-seasons years distinction throughout the previous census.

Inside the 1870 discover a maximum of 14 African Us americans inside Blackford County all staying in Licking Township. Audrey Werle’s 1870 List of Heads regarding Properties directories another names: Larenzo Brooks, a 30 something hairdresser; Eco-friendly Rodgers, 34; and James E. Frazier, thirty six, aforementioned one or two which run the fresh railway.

Inside 1860 the brand new Mountain household members was still living in Penn Township, Jay County, in the a relatively different arrangement

Throughout the upcoming age, there was proof of racial separation regarding the state. Very first, about 1920s the fresh Ku klux Klan situated a powerful presence in the county. Masked and you may robed professionals took part in higher societal rallies. Next, upon new 1940 loss of the fresh new well-respected professional and you may master engineer on an effective corrugated papers company, George Stevens, citizens of Hartford Urban area was “numb with surprise” to discover that the new recognized member of the neighborhood wasn’t white.