The Old Settlers: Vol. 1

	Old Settlers, Vol. 1

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

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.

The Old Settlers

Journey to Michigan

Volume 1

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Please contact Marvin Lett for questions about the "Letter from Home" and "Transitions." Please send any newsworthy item to Marvin at: mlett@chartermi.net

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	Old Settlers, Vol. 1

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.