"He escaped on the Underground Railroad, he fought in the Civil War and he lived to be 105 years old.
He was born on the Bailey Plantation near Fredricksburg, Va. He became a respected hostler-some one who cares for horse & mules. His skills gave him greater respect & privileges than other slaves.
After his master died, the master's son-in-law took over & did not get along with him.
He thought he had too many privileges as a slave.
When the overseer tried to whip him to take the conceit out of him, the 36 year old slave escaped. He fled through the swamps & fields along the Rappahanock River.
After 4 weeks on the run, He made it to West Virginia, where he met Quakers involved in the fabled Underground Railroad. They smuggled him to Cincinnati, then he fled to Canada.
Canada was not to his liking, so He made his way back to the U. S. He worked on boats until he settled in Grand Haven, where there was a community of abolitionists & freed slaves.
In 1865, He, then 50, signed up to fight in the Union Army's 102nd U S Colored Infantry. He also served in the New York Cavalry.
After the war, He returned to Grand Haven, where he & his wife raised 6 children. He ended up living in Grand Rapids, where his horsmanship was in greater demand.
When he was in his 80's He filed for a military pension."
Jim Harger-The Grand Rapids Press
He was born on the Bailey Plantation near Fredricksburg, Va. He became a respected hostler-some one who cares for horse & mules. His skills gave him greater respect & privileges than other slaves.
After his master died, the master's son-in-law took over & did not get along with him.
He thought he had too many privileges as a slave.
When the overseer tried to whip him to take the conceit out of him, the 36 year old slave escaped. He fled through the swamps & fields along the Rappahanock River.
After 4 weeks on the run, He made it to West Virginia, where he met Quakers involved in the fabled Underground Railroad. They smuggled him to Cincinnati, then he fled to Canada.
Canada was not to his liking, so He made his way back to the U. S. He worked on boats until he settled in Grand Haven, where there was a community of abolitionists & freed slaves.
In 1865, He, then 50, signed up to fight in the Union Army's 102nd U S Colored Infantry. He also served in the New York Cavalry.
After the war, He returned to Grand Haven, where he & his wife raised 6 children. He ended up living in Grand Rapids, where his horsmanship was in greater demand.
When he was in his 80's He filed for a military pension."
Jim Harger-The Grand Rapids Press
"He escaped on the Underground Railroad, he fought in the Civil War and he lived to be 105 years old.
He was born on the Bailey Plantation near Fredricksburg, Va. He became a respected hostler-some one who cares for horse & mules. His skills gave him greater respect & privileges than other slaves.
After his master died, the master's son-in-law took over & did not get along with him.
He thought he had too many privileges as a slave.
When the overseer tried to whip him to take the conceit out of him, the 36 year old slave escaped. He fled through the swamps & fields along the Rappahanock River.
After 4 weeks on the run, He made it to West Virginia, where he met Quakers involved in the fabled Underground Railroad. They smuggled him to Cincinnati, then he fled to Canada.
Canada was not to his liking, so He made his way back to the U. S. He worked on boats until he settled in Grand Haven, where there was a community of abolitionists & freed slaves.
In 1865, He, then 50, signed up to fight in the Union Army's 102nd U S Colored Infantry. He also served in the New York Cavalry.
After the war, He returned to Grand Haven, where he & his wife raised 6 children. He ended up living in Grand Rapids, where his horsmanship was in greater demand.
When he was in his 80's He filed for a military pension."
Jim Harger-The Grand Rapids Press
He was born on the Bailey Plantation near Fredricksburg, Va. He became a respected hostler-some one who cares for horse & mules. His skills gave him greater respect & privileges than other slaves.
After his master died, the master's son-in-law took over & did not get along with him.
He thought he had too many privileges as a slave.
When the overseer tried to whip him to take the conceit out of him, the 36 year old slave escaped. He fled through the swamps & fields along the Rappahanock River.
After 4 weeks on the run, He made it to West Virginia, where he met Quakers involved in the fabled Underground Railroad. They smuggled him to Cincinnati, then he fled to Canada.
Canada was not to his liking, so He made his way back to the U. S. He worked on boats until he settled in Grand Haven, where there was a community of abolitionists & freed slaves.
In 1865, He, then 50, signed up to fight in the Union Army's 102nd U S Colored Infantry. He also served in the New York Cavalry.
After the war, He returned to Grand Haven, where he & his wife raised 6 children. He ended up living in Grand Rapids, where his horsmanship was in greater demand.
When he was in his 80's He filed for a military pension."
Jim Harger-The Grand Rapids Press
Inscription
CO. A
102 U.S.
CLD. INF.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
