First Fruits Of Freedom: The Migration Of Former Slaves And Their Search For Equality In Worcester, Massachusetts, 1862-1900 (the John Hope Franklin Series In African American History And Culture)

A moving narrative that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of African American men, women, and children on the cusp of freedom, First Fruits of Freedom chronicles one of the first collective migrations of blacks from the South to the North during and after the Civil War. Janette Thomas Greenwood relates the history of a network forged between Worcester County, Massachusetts, and eastern North Carolina as a result of Worcester regiments taking control of northeastern North Carolina during the war. White soldiers from Worcester, a hotbed of abolitionism, protected refugee slaves from former masters, set up schools, and led them north at war's end. White patrons and a supportive black community helped many migrants fulfill their aspirations for complete emancipation and facilitated the arrival of additional family members and friends. Migrants established a small black community in Worcester with a distinctive southern flavor.But even in the North, white sympathy did not continue after the Civil War. Despite their many efforts, black Worcesterites were generally disappointed in their hopes for full-fledged citizenship, reflecting the larger national trajectory of Reconstruction and its aftermath. A Moving Narrative That Offers A Rare Glimpse Into The Lives Of African American Men, Women, And Children On The Cusp Of Freedom, First Fruits Of Freedomchronicles One Of The First Collective Migrations Of Blacks From The South To The North During And After The Civil War. Janette Thomas Greenwood Relates The History Of A Network Forged Between Worcester County, Massachusetts, And Eastern North Carolina As A Result Of Worcester Regiments Taking Control Of Northeastern North Carolina During The War. White Soldiers From Worcester, A Hotbed Of Abolitionism, Protected Refugee Slaves From Former Masters, Set Up Schools, And Led Them North At War's End. White Patrons And A Supportive Black Community Helped Many Migrants Fulfill Their Aspirations For Complete Emancipation And Facilitated The Arrival Of Additional Family Members And Friends. Migrants Established A Small Black Community In Worcester With A Distinctive Southern Flavor. But Even In The North, White Sympathy Did Not Continue After The Civil War. Despite Their Many Efforts, Black Worcesterites Were Generally Disappointed In Their Hopes For Full-fledged Citizenship, Reflecting The Larger National Trajectory Of Reconstruction And Its Aftermath. The Guns Of War -- The Prettiest Blue Mens I Have Ever Seed -- These Are The Children Of This Revolution, The Promising First Fruits Of The War -- A New Promise Of Freedom And Dignity -- A Community Within A Community. Janette Thomas Greenwood. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A moving narrative that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of African American men, women, and children on the cusp of freedom, First Fruits of Freedom chronicles one of the first collective migrations of blacks from the South to the North during and after the Civil War. Janette Thomas Greenwood relates the history of a network forged between Worcester County, Massachusetts, and eastern North Carolina as a result of Worcester regiments taking control of northeastern North Carolina during the war. White soldiers from Worcester, a hotbed of abolitionism, protected refugee slaves from former masters, set up schools, and led them north at war's end. White patrons and a supportive black community helped many migrants fulfill their aspirations for complete emancipation and facilitated the arrival of additional family members and friends. Migrants established a small black community in Worcester with a distinctive southern flavor. But even in the North, white sympathy did not continue after the Civil War. Despite their many efforts, black Worcesterites were generally disappointed in their hopes for full-fledged citizenship, reflecting the larger national trajectory of Reconstruction and its aftermath A moving narrative that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of African American men, women, and children on the cusp of freedom, First Fruits of Freedom chronicles one of the first collective migrations of blacks from the South to the North during and after the Civil War. Janette Thomas Greenwood relates the history of a network forged between Worcester County, Massachusetts, and eastern North Carolina as a result of Worcester regiments taking control of northeastern North Carolina during the war. White soldiers from Worcester, a hotbed of abolitionism, protected refugee slaves, set up schools for them, and led them north at war's end. White patrons and a supportive black community helped many migrants fulfill their aspirations for complete emancipation and facilitated the arrival of additional family members and friends. Migrants established a small black community in Worcester with a distinctive southern flavor. But even in the North, white sympathy did not continue after the Civil War. Despite their many efforts, black Worcesterites were generally disappointed in their hopes for full-fledged citizenship, reflecting the larger national trajectory of Reconstruction and its aftermath. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 1 The Guns of War......Page 26 2 The Prettiest Blue Mens I Had Ever Seed......Page 42 3 These Are the Children of This Revolution, the Promising First Fruits of the War......Page 63 4 A New Promise of Freedom and Dignity......Page 103 5 A Community within a Community......Page 145 Epilogue......Page 189 Appendix......Page 194 Notes......Page 196 Bibliography......Page 230 B......Page 240 C......Page 242 F......Page 244 G......Page 245 J......Page 246 L......Page 247 M......Page 248 N......Page 249 P......Page 250 R......Page 251 S......Page 252 T......Page 253 W......Page 254 Y......Page 256

greenwood Chronicles One Of The First Collective Migrations Of Blacks From The South To The North During And After The Civil War. She Describes A Network Forged Between Worcester County, Mass., And Eastern North Carolina As A Result Of Worcester Regiments Taking Control Of Northeastern N.c. During The War. White Soldiers From Worcester, A Hotbed Of Abolitionism, Protected Refugee Slaves From Former Masters, Set Up Schools, And Led Them North At War's End. Migrants Established A Small Black Community In Worcester With A Distinctive Southern Flavor, But Were Generally Disappointed In Their Hopes For Full-fledged Citizenship.

Contents 8 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 16 1 The Guns of War 26 2 The Prettiest Blue Mens I Had Ever Seed 42 3 These Are the Children of This Revolution, the Promising First Fruits of the War 63 4 A New Promise of Freedom and Dignity 103 5 A Community within a Community 145 Epilogue 189 Appendix 194 Notes 196 Bibliography 230 Index 240 A 240 B 240 C 242 D 244 E 244 F 244 G 245 H 246 I 246 J 246 K 247 L 247 M 248 N 249 O 250 P 250 Q 251 R 251 S 252 T 253 U 254 V 254 W 254 Y 256 Union soldiers facilitate migration to their own hometown. Offering a glimpse into the lives of African American men, women, and children on the cusp of freedom, this title chronicles one of the first collective migrations of blacks from the South to the North during and after the Civil War.