William Henry Bracy

	Bracy

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.

Bracy

Pictures Courtesy of Judy

Jackson-Caldwell

Front: James, Edward, John, Sarah (Sadie)

James (Jim) Bannister

Back: Gertrude with son, Esta, John, Jenny, Faye

George and John Bracy

Sons of William Bracy, Sr. The family

came from Canada to Mecosta in 1881.

George and John Bracy

Gertrude (Bracy) Lett

Faye Lett - Grandson of John Bracy

Son of Gertrude & William Donovan Lett

Charlie Pointer, Jr. & John Bracy

William Henry Bracy, Uncle Ed's Grandfather, was an escaped slave who initially made it to Canada. In Canada, it is alleged he changed his name to avoid being returned to slavery. His father was of Scott-Irish descent. It is also alleged that his mistress followed him, and they were married. He was married twice. His second marriage five children were born: Maria, Mary, John Thomas Oliver, George, and another child died in infancy. The boys were raised by their sisters after their mother died, and William left Canada for the United States. William worked as a cook in several different cities and eventually returned to Canada when John Oliver Thomas, and George were 10 and 12 years old. He then moved to Grand Rapids with the two boys and worked in lumber camps. After the death of his second wife, he married Ida Woods. They had three girls, Annie, Maude and Lottis (Ida). They all died at a young age.

William moved to Big Rapids and opened a restaurant in 1871. He later moved to Boyne City and opened an restaurant. He also owned a city block on Lake Street. John Alexander married Effie Green. She had two children from a previous marriage, Veda and Foy. (SEE HARVEY GREEN)


	Bracy

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.