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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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By: Marvin Lett
The
annual Square Dance on Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Remus Town
Hall given by "The Gang" was a big success.
Check out the pictures posted on this site. Click on the
following link Square Dance.
The 75th Old Settlers' Reunion was one of
the best reunions in years. The
Lansing group should be given a pat on the back for one of the
best picnics ever. What a "big success."
Pictures are available on the site. Look for the 75th Old
Settlers' Reunion link.
People were in attendance from all over the
country. Philip and Phyllis Sherrill and Philip, Jr. and
family were in attendance from Virginia Beach, VA. Jillian
Stewart-Salloum was there from Louisiana. Jackie Hughes
(Maki) came all of the way from Abilene, Texas. Jackie is a
descendant of Ray and Catherine Lett Rice. Marlene
Fowler, Hayworth, CA, Susan Fowler, Long Beach, CA, Dyann Hayes,
from Atlanta, GA
Angie Perez and Christine Perez and children from Dyann
Hayes Atlanta, GA Christine Perez Dyann Hayes Atlanta, GA,
Boyd West, from Las Vegas, NV,
Dennis Rice, from Atlanta, GA. Ganielle Christoper (and
family), Atlanta, GA, Tracy and Kim Maki (and family),
Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA, Karen Maki, Phoenix, AZ, and Gene
Rhinehart (and family), from Baisden, WV.
Derelys Brown was
there from the Washington DC area.
Gary Green is working as a private
contractor and left to train military police in Afghanistan
early in August. He has been in Afghanistan six months now
and tells about waking up to gunfire--scary! Gary was home on
leave in January 2010 and returns January 31.
Isabella County celebrated its
150 anniversary in 2009 --The Sesquicentennial. There were displays by Old Settlers and
some early settlers who arrived in the county before 1899 will
be honored with a certificate. That means your
forefathers.
Fred and Sandi Lett have a new
granddaughter. Victor Lett is quite well. His wife, Beulah, is
recovering from recent knee surgery. Likewise, Bob Sawyer. Word has come to us, that Stanley
Cross is in a Lansing care facility.
Meanwhile keep sending your family
and Old Settler information - births, illness, transitions, etc.
Also, proud moments, trips and don't forget pictures.
Monique Berry, whose parents are Jerry
Berry and
Opal
Mathews-Berry performed at
a special musical event in Mt. Pleasant. She was billed as having "incredible talent!"
She is currently appearing at locations in California.
The Old Settlers Reunion Website was
able to obtain a headstone through the Veteran's Administration
for Harrison Harding who was a Civil War Veteran. He is
buried in Decker Cemetery and had never had a headstone.
Harrison Harding was a first cousin to Warren G. Harding, the 29th
President of the United States.
Get well wishes go
out to the sick and infirmed. Those who you should keep in your
prayers:
Marie
Cross
Sharon Lett
Bob Sawyer
Jack Todd
Ione Todd
Those that are
mourning are to also be remembered. Send a card, make a telephone
call, pay a visit. A friendly email is even welcomed. Remember -
It's that time of the year for compassion. With the New
Year - 2010, it is time to mend fences. Forgive and forget about
real or perceived hurts. Some cultures put their concerns in a
container and bury them. Sounds like a good idea to me!
Happy Birthday to those that will be celebrating their special
day.
Condolences to those who have lost loved
ones since the last newsletter. Please check out the other
categories on this website for names.
I have been asked what is an Old
Settler. I hope the following clears it up:
To be considered an Old Settler, you are directly descended from the
original families that came to Mecosta, Isabella, and Montcalm
counties in the mid-1800's. If you can trace your roots back to
these families, you are a descendant. There are many who are
friends of Old Settlers, married to or have a family member who is
married to, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are, but if you
are not blood related, you are not considered an Old Settler. Past
practices do not apply.
I hope the above answers the emails
sent to me saying they do not recognize some names on the
website. So, with this in mind, I think there should be separate
categories.
This way, many others can be recognized.
Remember the sick and shut-in. Visit
and/or send them a card.
Pray for and attend when you can,
the Wheatland Church of Christ in Remus. This is the church of
our ancestors, and the church needs us now. It would be a shame if the
doors were to be closed and the building vacated. This is the
church of our forefathers. Support it in attendance and/or
financially. Send them a card and/or a donation. "Remember
them, by remembering them!" To affect anything, you have to be
there!
"Pray for the Wheatland Church of Christ."
Send a
donation in Remembrance of a loved one to:
Wheatland Church of Christ
3025 11 Mile road
Remus, MI 49340
Both Robert Sawyer and Worothy Sawyer are in
Mt. Pleasant Nursing Homes.
Bob Sawyer
208 N. Adams
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Be sure and check out the other views on
www.oldsettlersreunion.com
so long for now.
Til' next time, don't
forget to write news or comments to the following email address:
mlett@chartermi.net
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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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