His reputation was spotless, and he moved in the circles of the rich. Joseph met the sister of the governor – Isabella Johnston. As the couple spent more time with each other, Joseph fell passionately in love with her, and they were engaged. Isabella fell ill and died a few days before they were to marry. Joseph was heartbroken. In his diary at the end of his life, he records that he was a broken and lonely man. He never married or had children.
Mary didn’t hesitate. She found some men’s clothing that fit well enough, gathered a small bag, and left by night. When she reached the steamer dock and her contact, she was required to climb into a wooden crate, which was then nailed shut and carried aboard the steamer.
Did you know… Morgan’s Christmas Raid?During the period of Dec 22, 1862-January 1863, General John Hunt Morgan with the 2nd and 9th Kentucky Confederate Cavalry advanced through central and northern Kentucky. At one point, Morgan split his command, sending a … Continued
Heyward was apparently well regarded by his peers. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Signer from Pennsylvania and a prominent Philadelphia physician and medical teacher, had this to say about him: “he was a firm Republican of good education and most amicable manners. He possessed an elegant political genius, which he sometimes exercised with success upon the various events of the war”.
“I told [him] I had acted according to his orders. He had told me to look for a master, and I had been to look for one. He answered that he did not tell me to go to Canada to look for a master. I told him that as I had served him faithfully, and had been the means of putting a number of hundreds of dollars into his pocket, I thought I had a right to my liberty.”
Most of the history books concentrate on Civil War battles in the eastern half of the country – but the west participated. In fact, Native Americans were involved on both sides of the Civil War. On December 26, 1861, a … Continued
During the war, in 1781, Hooper’s family was forced to flee with a few possessions. The British troops looted his home, stole household articles and books, and set the remainder on fire.
Following the Civil War, Illinois was still not a welcoming place for African Americans. Although the Illinois Black Codes were repealed when the 13th Amendment ending slavery passed, the legislation does not immediately change hearts. Generations of prejudice keeping African … Continued
Why was Stephen Hopkins important? Account of a self made man.
Who was the first black Congresswoman from Texas?