Old Settlers of Michigan

	Home

\Home Old Settlers Honored Square Dance Old Settlers History Old Settler Families Memoirs 75th Reunion Historical Schools Wheatland Church Gladys Guy-Harper Letter From Home Military Gift Shop Norman-Cummings Benjamin Banneker Cemeteries Guess Who? Negro Folktales The Old Settlers: Vol. 1 The Old Settlers: Vol. 2 Old Settler Sayers Special Thanks Links Todd Ghost Stories Beyond The Gate

Doraville Whitney was the first Black settler to Isabella County in 1860. The first documentation of an African-American settler in Mecosta County Michigan was James Guy. His deed was signed by Abraham Lincoln. He obtained 160 acres in Wheatland Township on May 30, 1861. Lloyd & Margaret Guy were the first Black settlers in Montcalm County in 1861. The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed each settler 160 acres in Michigan. By 1873 African-Americans owned 1,392 acres in the three counties of Isabella, Mecosta and Montcalm. In the 1860's most of the land in Remus was owned by the Old Settlers.

Old Settlers' Reunion Discussion Group


	Home

There are "Old Settlers" who came from Canada via "The Underground Railroad." It was the most dramatic nonviolent protest against slavery in the United States that began in the Colonial Era and reached its peak between 1830 and 1865. An estimated 30,000 to 100,000 slaves used the "railroad" to get to Canada; many others escaped to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Hit Counter