The Bone and Sinew of the Land : America's Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality

The long-hidden truth about America's black pioneers, the frontier they settled, and their fight for a better nation The American frontier is one of our most cherished and enduring national images. We think of the early pioneers who settled the wilderness as courageous, independent--and white. This version of history is simply wrong. Starting in our nation's earliest years, thousands of free African Americans were building hundreds of settlements in the Northwest Territory, a territory that banned slavery and gave equal voting rights to all men. This groundbreaking work of research reveals the lost history of the nation's first Great Migration. Though forgotten today, these pioneers were a matter of national importance at the time; their mere existence leading to fierce political movements and battles that tore families and communities apart long before the Civil War erupted. The Bone and Sinew of the Land is a story with its roots in the ideals of the American Revolution, a story of courageous pioneers transformed by the belief that all men are created equal, seeking a brighter future on the American frontier. The American Frontier Is One Of Our Most Cherished And Enduring National Images. We Think Of The Early Settlers Who Tamed The Wilderness And Built The Bones Of Our Great Country As Courageous, Independent--and White. In This Groundbreaking Work Of Deep Historical Research, Anna-lisa Cox Shows That This History Simply Isn't Accurate. In Fact, She Has Found A Stunning Number Of Black Settlements On The Frontier--in The Thousands. Though Forgotten Today, These Homesteads Were A Matter Of National Importance At The Time; Their Mere Existence Challenged Rationalizations For Slavery And Pushed The Question Toward A Crisis--one That Was Not Resolved Until The Eruption Of The Civil War. Blending Meticulous Detail With Lively Storytelling, Cox Brings Historical Recognition To The Brave People Who Managed Not Just To Secure Their Freedom But Begin A Battle That Is Still Going On Today--a Battle For Equality.--provided By Publisher. Life, Liberty -- Interlude -- The Pursuit Of Happiness -- To Secure The Blessings Of Liberty. -- To Secure These Rights, Governments Are Instituted Among Men, Deriving Their Just -- Powers From The Consent Of The Governed. -- To Provide New Guards For Their Future Security -- The Right Of The People To Peaceably Assemble. -- For Taking Away Our Charters, Abolishing Our Most Valuable Laws, And Altering -- Fundamentally The Forms Of Our Governments -- A History Of Repeated Injuries And Usurpations. -- Conclusion. Anna-lisa Cox. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The long-hidden stories of America's black pioneers, the frontier they settled, and their fight for the heart of the nation When black settlers Keziah and Charles Grier started clearing their frontier land in 1818, they couldn't know that they were part of the nation's earliest struggle for equality; they were just looking to build a better life. But within a few years, the Griers would become early Underground Railroad conductors, joining with fellow pioneers and other allies to confront the growing tyranny of bondage and injustice. The Bone and Sinew of the Land tells the Griers' story and the stories of many others like them: the lost history of the nation's first Great Migration. In building hundreds of settlements on the frontier, these black pioneers were making a stand for equality and freedom. Their new home, the Northwest Territory -- the wild region that would become present-day Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin -- was the first territory to ban slavery and have equal voting rights for all men. Though forgotten today, in their own time the successes of these pioneers made them the targets of racist backlash. Political and even armed battles soon ensued, tearing apart families and communities long before the Civil War. This groundbreaking work of research reveals America's forgotten frontier, where these settlers were inspired by the belief that all men are created equal and a brighter future was possible. Named one of Smithsonian's Best History Books of 2018 The story of America's forgotten black pioneers, who escaped slavery, settled the frontier, and proved that racial equality was possible even as the country headed toward civil war. The American frontier is one of our most cherished and enduring national images. We think of the early settlers who tamed the wilderness and built the bones of our great country as courageous, independent--and white. In this groundbreaking work of deep historical research, Anna-Lisa Cox shows that this history simply isn't accurate. In fact, she has found a stunning number of black settlements on the frontier--in the thousands. Though forgotten today, these homesteads were a matter of national importance at the time; their mere existence challenged rationalizations for slavery and pushed the question toward a crisis--one that was not resolved until the eruption of the Civil War. Blending meticulous detail with lively storytelling, Cox brings historical recognition to the brave people who managed not just to secure their freedom but begin a battle that is still going on today--a battle for equality. "The American frontier is one of our most cherished and enduring national images. We think of the early settlers who tamed the wilderness and built the bones of our great country as courageous, independent ... and white. In this groundbreaking work of deep historical research, Anna-Lisa Cox shows that this history simply isn't accurate. In fact, she has found a stunning number of black settlements on the frontier ... in the thousands. Though forgotten today, these homesteads were a matter of national importance at the time; their mere existence challenged rationalizations for slavery and pushed the question toward a crisis ... one that was not resolved until the eruption of the Civil War. Blending meticulous detail with lively storytelling, Cox brings historical recognition to the brave people who managed not just to secure their freedom but begin a battle that is still going on today ... a battle for equality." ... Provided by publisher When black settlers Keziah and Charles Grier started clearing their frontier land in 1818, they were just looking to build a better life. Their new home, the Northwest Territory-- the wild region that would become present-day Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin-- was the first territory to ban slavery and have equal voting rights for all men. Within a few years, the Griers would become early Underground Railroad conductors, confronting the growing tyranny of bondage and injustice. Cox uses their story to reveal America's forgotten frontier, where settlers were inspired by the belief that all men are created equal and a brighter future was possible -- Adapted from jacket "Life, liberty" Interlude : "We hold these truths to be self-evident" "The pursuit of happiness" "And secure the blessings of liberty" "To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" "Burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people" "The right of the people to peaceably assemble" "For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments" "A history of repeated injuries and usurpations" Conclusion : "All men are created equal". An essential reference on the reciprocal role that U.S. and Native policy and law have played in American political development Created by a culturally diverse editorial board of major scholars and containing invaluable bibliographic material, this two-volume set examines the history and impact of U.S. relations with Native Americans Examines the history and impact of U.S. relations with Native Americans. Entries cover many topics relating to U.S./Native American relations, from history, politics, and sociology to civil rights and culture