Emmanuel was born in Devonshire, England and came to America with his parents when he was two years old. Within three years both of his parents had died. An uncle retrieved him from the Poorhouse, but he, too died within a few months. Emmanuel was placed with foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Norton from Illinois. Sam Norton's character was questionable. Around 1850, an itinerant peddler disappeared. His horse was found on the Norton farm--legend holds that the Nortons killed the man, and that Emmanuel witnessed the crime. To cover up the crime, the
Nortons insisted that Emmanuel lie about the incident in their favor. Repeatedly, Emmanuel told them, "I will not tell a lie." For this he was cruelly beaten. On November 30, 1851, his wrists were tied together, the rope thrown over a crossbeam in the barn, and the boy strung up. Then Emmanuel was whipped for two hours with thick willow
switches until he died. The Nortons stood trial and were found guilty of first degree manslaughter. They returned to Illinois after serving seven years in jail. Emmanuel's present, permanent monument was dedicated May 2, 1954.
Emmanuel was initially buried in a family cemetery plot. In 1858, his body was moved to the Greenwood Presbyterian Church Cemetery, west of Kingston on County Trunk B, where he lies today.
Nortons insisted that Emmanuel lie about the incident in their favor. Repeatedly, Emmanuel told them, "I will not tell a lie." For this he was cruelly beaten. On November 30, 1851, his wrists were tied together, the rope thrown over a crossbeam in the barn, and the boy strung up. Then Emmanuel was whipped for two hours with thick willow
switches until he died. The Nortons stood trial and were found guilty of first degree manslaughter. They returned to Illinois after serving seven years in jail. Emmanuel's present, permanent monument was dedicated May 2, 1954.
Emmanuel was initially buried in a family cemetery plot. In 1858, his body was moved to the Greenwood Presbyterian Church Cemetery, west of Kingston on County Trunk B, where he lies today.
Emmanuel was born in Devonshire, England and came to America with his parents when he was two years old. Within three years both of his parents had died. An uncle retrieved him from the Poorhouse, but he, too died within a few months. Emmanuel was placed with foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Norton from Illinois. Sam Norton's character was questionable. Around 1850, an itinerant peddler disappeared. His horse was found on the Norton farm--legend holds that the Nortons killed the man, and that Emmanuel witnessed the crime. To cover up the crime, the
Nortons insisted that Emmanuel lie about the incident in their favor. Repeatedly, Emmanuel told them, "I will not tell a lie." For this he was cruelly beaten. On November 30, 1851, his wrists were tied together, the rope thrown over a crossbeam in the barn, and the boy strung up. Then Emmanuel was whipped for two hours with thick willow
switches until he died. The Nortons stood trial and were found guilty of first degree manslaughter. They returned to Illinois after serving seven years in jail. Emmanuel's present, permanent monument was dedicated May 2, 1954.
Emmanuel was initially buried in a family cemetery plot. In 1858, his body was moved to the Greenwood Presbyterian Church Cemetery, west of Kingston on County Trunk B, where he lies today.
Nortons insisted that Emmanuel lie about the incident in their favor. Repeatedly, Emmanuel told them, "I will not tell a lie." For this he was cruelly beaten. On November 30, 1851, his wrists were tied together, the rope thrown over a crossbeam in the barn, and the boy strung up. Then Emmanuel was whipped for two hours with thick willow
switches until he died. The Nortons stood trial and were found guilty of first degree manslaughter. They returned to Illinois after serving seven years in jail. Emmanuel's present, permanent monument was dedicated May 2, 1954.
Emmanuel was initially buried in a family cemetery plot. In 1858, his body was moved to the Greenwood Presbyterian Church Cemetery, west of Kingston on County Trunk B, where he lies today.
