The land today…
The land today…
Finding Florence!
The Origins and Impact of the Florence Settlement
1846-1860s
The Florence Farming Settlement has been identified to have been located in the Florence Hill Forest, a New York State Forest Preserve in Florence, NY.
The Florence Farming Settlement was a small 19th century settlement of both freedom seekers and free blacks who established a communal farmstead through the help of state and local abolitionists which improved their political and economic status.
Contextualization:
Where is Florence, NY?
Contextualization: Why is Florence, NY a great location?
Florence, NY is located near an area that was a hotbed of abolitionist activity.
Contextualization: Why is land ownership important in NY?
Timeline of Gradual Emancipation and Voting in New York
1821 New York Constitution, Article II, Section 1 [Qualification of voters]
“Every male citizen of the age of twenty-one years…shall be entitled to vote in the town or ward where he actually resides…but no man of colour, unless he shall have been for three years a citizen of this state, and for one year next preceding any election, shall be seized and possessed of a freehold estate of the value of two hundred and fifty dollars, over and above all debts and incumbrances charged thereon; and shall have been actually rated, and paid a tax thereon, shall be entitled to vote at any such election. And no person of colour shall be subject to direct taxation unless he shall be seized and possessed of such real estate as aforesaid.”
Contextualization: Why is land ownership important in NY?
Timeline of Gradual Emancipation and Voting in New York
“Nine Months” Law- non-residents were able to hold enslaved persons for up to 9 months
Ticket to the Celebration in Honor of the Ratification of the 15th Amendment, Washington, D.C., 1870
Source: NYS Museum, Courtesy of Elizabeth Meaders