WAND (Women's Action for New Directions)
in collaboration with several local partners announces the planning of an outdoor mural to commemorate the famous Kentucky Raid of 1847 in Cass County, Michigan.
In the summer of '47, Kentucky slaveowners came to Michigan to retrieve their escaped slaves. Area residents, Quakers of Young's Prairie in particular, as well as a number of free blacks, came to the defense of the freedom seekers. The result of this intense conflict was a court case in Detroit, heavy fines for the implicated Quakers, and freedom (in other parts of Michigan and in Canada) for the long-suffering fugitives.
The mural, depicting various "scenes" from the Raid, is to be located in the Village of Cassopolis, Michigan.
The planning committee has created this blog in order to encourage community interest and involvement in various phases of the planning process. We want to hear from you! Click on "comment" to add your voice to this discussion. Also, be sure to visit "The Underground Railroad in Cass County" for an overview of the network's activities in Southwest Michigan.
My Great Great Grandfather was Elijah Osborn, Josiah's brother and Charles Osborn's son He was involved in pushing the slavers' wagons into Lake Shavehead the day after the raid. I am related to the Easts, Bonines, Elliotts and distantly to the Bogues. When my grandmother was living we used to visit often in the Cass area and I have relatives buried in the old East Cemetery. Grandma often stayed with Elijah at his orchard and with James Bonine. I am delighted to think that these Quaker heroes will be remembered.
ReplyDeleteThank you bcgoebel for writing. If you're within driving distance, please consider becoming active in our group.
ReplyDeleteThis Wednesday, Friends of the Bonine House, are holding a public meeting to gauge the Cass community's views on restoring the Bonine House.
Whether you attend this meeting or not, however, the group would be thrilled to hear more from you.
It is very exciting for us to hear from the great great grandchild of Elijah Osborn. I have heard the story of the wagon being pushed into Shavehead (or sometimes Birch) Lake many times, but never from someone with access to a first-hand account. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also hope bcgoebel and other interested folks may be able to participate in some of the events occuring in Cass County related to the Kentucky Raid. In addition to the mural project and the effort to preserve the Bonine House, the Minority Coalition will present a reenactment of the Raid at the International Festival on Sept. 13th.