Madison Robinson

	Robinson

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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.

Madison Robinson

Picture Courtesy of Marguerite

Berry-Jackson

Mrs. Madison Pointer-Robinson

("Aunty" Robinson Sarah)

Sarah Pointer-Robinson taught school at old log school house in Little River. The family lived in Little River when Berry's came in 1877.

Madison and Sarah Robinson were among the early families settling in the Mecosta Area. To this union five children were born: Julius, Aquilla, Marinda, Sarah, and Clark. Julius married Mary Pointer. Julius and Mary had no children of their own but raised several foster children including Elsie Adams and Josephine Lett. After Mary died, Julius married Christina Steele, daughter of Alex and Manelia Steele. To this union one child was born--Emma. Emma had one daughter whose name was Margaret Ann. Margaret Ann married John Wilson. She later married Gaylord Dow. Margaret and Gaylord have two children.

Christie, as she was called, had one sister, Lydia and a brother who dies in infancy. No information is available for Aquilla or Clark. Marinda married Thomas Johnson.

Sarah was known for her teaching ability, especially the younger ones. She was also a beautiful organist. Sarah married John Bracy. (SEE JOHN BRACY)


	Robinson

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.