Local African American History
This history celebrates the richness of African American culture in the area known as the St. Joseph River Valley Region by highlighting historic places. These historic places remind us of the contributions made by African Americans to our community. Many buildings relating to African American history no longer exist. Yet, information about these places lives on through historic records, photographs and newspaper articles. Another resource for learning about the people who built the buildings and African American community is through stories their families share with us. Many local African Americans have saved their family histories and have shared the information with the community by donating historical documents to the Center for History and local libraries. Click thumbnails for larger images.
Although many early records have been lost or are incomplete, it is known that African Americans were among the early residents of St. Joseph County. They, like their neighbors, were often farmers or small business owners. Many of them were free Blacks and not fugitive slaves. Historical records indicate that African Americans settled in St. Joseph County, Indiana, as the United States Government Land Office opened land sales in the early 1830s.
The 1850 U.S. Census lists the Huggarts, an African American family, as living in a remote rural section of Union Township in St. Joseph County, just south of South Bend. Other Black families followed them and settled nearby, creating what is thought to be the first rural Black settlement in northern Indiana.
This part of Union Township was settled by both White and Black families who shared in the life of the community. They farmed, worshiped, attended school and socialized together.
Samuel Huggart was a free Black man from Montgomery County, Ohio. He applied for land in Union Township on September 11, 1834. Several years later he settled there with his family.
In 1860, another Black man by the name of Benjamin Bass bought property next to the Huggart's farm. Mr. Bass also purchased land in other parts of St. Joseph County, Indiana, and in Cass County, Michigan.
Other Black families arrived during the 1860s and 1870s and purchased land in this same square mile. The Black population grew to include 28 individuals.
The African American settlement area was just east of what today is known as Potato Creek State Park. The families were members of the Olive Branch Church, whose members were associated with the Quakers. The Quakers did not believe in the practice of slavery. Historical records show that members of this settlement were actively involved in their community. One served as a church trustee and others were charter members of the Porter-Rea Cemetery Association.
The settlement began with Samuel Huggart and was located within a mile radius of two known Underground Railroad stations, one of which was operated by Solomon Palmer, St. Joseph County's foremost White abolitionist. An abolitionist was a person who worked to end slavery.
Mr. Palmer had a mill in the middle of a forest about 10 miles south of South Bend. Runaway slaves came to his mill to hide as they journeyed north.
In 1861, Hardy Manual purchased land from Mr. Bass and built a log cabin home that still stands in Union Township. Prior to moving to the rural settlement, Mr. Manual was a carpenter in South Bend. The cabin's double dovetail corner joints testify to his woodworking skills.
The graves of many of the early Black settlers in St. Joseph County are located in Porter-Rea Cemetery in Liberty Township. This cemetery was the final resting place for many neighborhood families, both Black and White.
Today, the cemetery lies within the boundaries of Potato Creek State Park. In the 1970s, farm land around the cemetery was purchased by the State of Indiana for this recreation area.
The cemetery today remains under the control of the Porter-Rea Cemetery Association which was formed in 1888 by both Black and White families who lived in the area. Many burials pre-date the formation of the Association.
Black settlement members and their descendants known to be buried at Porter-Rea Cemetery include: A.S. Boon, Rachel Boone, William H. Boone, Amanda Boone, Benjamin Boone, Jeanette Manual, Eliza Jane Manual, Samuel Huggart, Andrew Huggart, Jane Huggart, Maudie Huggart, Mary A. Huggart, Infant Huggart and Dila Bass.
Some of these tombstones can still be seen today.
The Huggart settlement began to dwindle in the 1890s as families moved into South Bend, where they found employment in the growing collection of industries.
Free Blacks and the Underground Railroad
The first Black settlers known to have lived in South Bend arrived in 1839. They were Peter Coleman and Mariah White. Mr. Coleman was a farrier, or horse doctor, from Virginia. They were married in South Bend in June 1839. Mr. Coleman's business advertisement appeared in the 1840 Northwest Pioneer, South Bend's newspaper.
Other Blacks who lived in this area in 1840 included Joseph Huffman, a barber, and four individuals living in White households.
From 1849-1851, an important court battle took place in the St. Joseph County courts. It concerned fugitive slaves who were helped by local citizens.
This court case, which became known as the Fugitive Slave Case, was a legal battle over the right of a slave owner to take his runaway slaves back to Kentucky. The slaves had followed the Underground Railroad from Kentucky, across the Ohio River into Indiana, and north to Cass County, Michigan, where they were living as farmers. The owner located the family and recaptured them. As they were traveling through South Bend, on their way back to Kentucky, local citizens came to their rescue and blocked their return to slavery.
The owner brought a court case against the local citizens. He won the case. However, in place of his slaves, he was awarded money equal to their value.
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