Guy

 
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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. 

Mecosta County Guys

 

James Guy

 

Douglas Guy

Son of James Guy

(Mecosta County)

Catherine Guy

Daughter of James Guy

(Mecosta County)

 

Lydia Guy-Tate

Daughter of Jim Guy

Mother of Del Guy

Sister of Martha Guy-Scott

 

Axel Guy

 

Robert & Martha (Guy) Scott

 

Minerva & Catherine Guy

 

According to The Old SettlersA Nation Within Itself (1988) from early recorded records it is learned that James Guy was born in Ohio on April 22, 1822, and from the census of 1880, we learn that both of his parents Andrew and Martha Beard-Guy were likewise born in Zanesville, Ohio.  James (Jim) Guy, wife and family migrated to Michigan in the early spring of 1861 taking advantage of the Homestead Act of Michigan.  When Jim obtained his property in Mecosta County, Michigan, 160 acres--the deed was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. 

 

Jim Guy was married twice.  His first wife was Ann Mariah (Caliman) Guy, whom he married in Ohio.  To this union five children were born:  Oran 1846-1872; Benjamin Franklin 1848; Martha 1851-1925; Minerva Ann 1856; Douglas 1860, and Leander 1864.  Ann Mariah died not too long after the birth of her last child, and Jim remarried. 

 

His new wife was Francis Norman, daughter of Granderson and Susan (Cook) Norman.  He and Francis had Leonard 1866-1938; Catherine 1868-1947; James Granderson 1870-1949; Arthur 1871-1875; George Washington 1872-1950; John William 1874-1949; Susan Emily, 1876-1963, Emmet 1876-1877, Amelia 1878, Ellen, Elizabeth, and twins Mary and Ann. 

 

He died October 17, 1896 in Mecosta County, Michigan.  According to his obituary, he had just read Chapter 5, of the Letter of Paul to the Romans and fell asleep.  The same letter was used at his funeral.  His second wife, Francis (Norman) Guy died February 12, 1927.

 

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Guy

 

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.