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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. |
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SECTION 1
Grandison Norman
SECTION 2
George E.
Norman
SECTION 3
Norman Family Pictures
SECTION 4
Marquis Norman
SECTION 5
George Lindley Norman
SECTION 6
George L. Norman Family
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Marquis Norman
Pictures Courtesy of Dorothy Harris-Allen
Steven M. Cross and Ken Todd
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Joanna Cummins-Norman
Daughter
of John Cummins and
Susan Lett-Cummins
and wife of Marquis Norman and is the
Mother of Joseph H (Red Head), Chancy, Daniel,
Kate (Nina), Frankie, John, Belle, Charles,
Elmer and Sumore |
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Joseph (Red Head) Norman,
Marion Whitney (in arms) George
and Minnie Whitney |
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| Cal Whitney |
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Rosa Norman-Cross |
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Goldie Norman & Violet (Norman) Whitney |
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Don Norman, Violet (Norman) Whitney &
Robert (Bob) Norman |
Marquis married JoAnne Cummings. Their
children were: Joseph H., Chaney, Daniel, Robert, Kate (Nina),
Frankie, John, Belle, Charles, Elmer and Sumore. They settled in
Millbrook. Marquis was killed in a lumber accident. Joseph H.
married Minnie Thompson, daughter of George and Mary (Harding) Thompson.
Their children were: Goldie, Clinton, Violet, Masie, Robert, Mattie,
Ancel, Obid and Donald.
Back to Top
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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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