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. 

Norman-Cummings Cemetery

Newly Restored

 

Pictures Courtesy of:

Carol Norman

 

Section 35 - 6 Mile Rd., Wheatland Township

Remus, MI

 

Norman and Cummings Cemetery is being kept up by Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Storey. Their home sets below the hill where they can see the cemetery. Mr. Storey made the cross that is carved in the stump inside the fence. At one time it was a beautiful tree. Mrs. Storey keeps the grass mowed inside and around the fence. We (the Old Settlers) would like to thank Bob Garner for the work he has done at the Norman and Wheatland Cemetery. Also thanks to the Storey family for caring for the Norman Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Contact Webmaster:  Marsha (Todd) Stewart

 

 

 

 

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Cemetery

 

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.
 

 

 

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   Revised: 10/10/07