Enslavement to
freedom
Notes, observations, historical hints, tidbits and stories from the community.
Study Areas
Old Mail
2002 Mail
2003 Mail
2004 Mail
2005 Mail
2006 Mail
2007 Mail
2009 Mail
2007 Mail
African American forgemen
From Debra McCauslin, 09 February 2007 in response to an announcement of a conference on African American miners
This is not coal mining but it's related to
mining iron ore. I have information about two African
American families named Mars and Butler who lived in
upper Adams County. They worked at Laurel Forge in
Cumberland County PA, the present site of Pine Grove
Furnace State Park. There is a newspaper account of
Aaron Mars losing his life while working in the
limestone quarry there. The walls fell in on him and
he was loaded into a wagon and expired on the way to
his home. I also found census data showing occupations
as forgeman, collier and woodchopper (aiding in
the charcoal process needed in the iron industry).
There are also charcoal pits on Yellow Hill where an
African American community once had a settlement,
church and burial ground. If any of you want copies of
this information, I'll happily respond.
Thanks!
Debra McCauslin
www.gettysburghistories.com
Tours of Yellow Hill available
See also
History of the African American Community of Yellow Hill, Adams County