|
 |
|
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. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Joseph Seaton
Pictures Courtesy of
Deonna (Todd) Green
&
Marguerite
Berry-Jackson
|
 |
|
Emily and Clarence, William Joseph
(or Joseph Jr.)
Alonzo (Lon) & Maud Seaton |
|
 |
|
Ora & Emily Seaton |
|
 |
|
Joseph & wife Emily Evans-Seaton
Children: Maud & Alonzo Seaton |
|
 |
|
George Scott - Son of Bert Scott
& Luverna Seaton |
|
 |
|
John Berry &
Alonzo Seaton |
Joseph A. Seaton married Nancy A. Conner in 1861.
Four children were born to this union: William Joseph or Joseph Jr.
(Nov. 11, 1865), Ora, Frank, and Emily (May 11, 1865). Nancy spent
her girlhood days in Cass County, MI. In 1861 she married Joseph A.
Seaton. Joseph enlisted in the army the same year. Mrs. Seaton
spent the time while her husband was away in Mt. Pleasant where her son,
Joseph was born. Following Joseph's return from the way they moved
to Covert, MI and bought government land at North Mill.
In 1871 they
went to Lawrence, KS by horse and wagon making the trip in six months and
returning in the fall. There is where their daughter Ora was born.
Joseph Seaton passed away in 1886. A son Frank and daughter Emma
preceded him in death. Their son William Joseph migrated to
Weidman, MI where he worked as a stone mason building many homes in the
area. William Joseph married Barbara Evans and had 11 children.
Four of the children's names were: Alonzo, Maud, Luverna and
Clarence. Later he moved to Lansing.
Back to Top
|
|
 |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
 |
|
