Doraville Whitney was the first Black settler in 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. 

71st Old Settlers' Reunion

August 20, 2005 - School Section Lake

 

Link:  73rd Reunion

Link:  72nd Reunion

Link:  71st Reunion

Link:  70th Reunion

 

 

Barbara Norman-Singleton & Teresa Todd-Branson

Welcome & Opening

Nellie Blue - Musical Selection

Shannon Peters & Whitney White Scholarship Recipients

Shannon is the son of Sharon Cook-Steib.

Grandparents were Jay and

Caroline Norman-Cook.

Whitney is the daughter of Lisa & Dany White.

Grandparents are Bob & Doreen Flowers-Todd.

Shirley Cross-Miles & Marvin Lett - Memorial

Honoring Those Who Passed Away

Descendants 70 and Older - Fern Johnson-Cross

Oldest Descendant

This flag is 50 years old. 

It was donated by

Hershel Cross & Marshall Todd in 1955.

 

 

Link:  72nd Reunion

Link:  70th Reunion

 

 

 Old Settlers' Reunion Discussion Group   Click Here!  

 

 

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71st

 

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.