The Nankin Township Historical Society

Detroit Free Press , December 21, 1846 If you dig around enough concerning any topic you're bound to find something shocking and in this case, contrary to what you've known hitherto. Signal of Liberty , December 26, 1846 Founded in 1816 The American Colonization Society was formed to send African Slaves back to their native continent, namely a colony established in Liberia. While the article concerning Vermont below shows that the causes seemed genuine insofar as ending slavery the movement became loathed by William Lloyd Garrison, formerly a member of the group, when he became convinced that their ultimate goal was to limit the amount of free slaves in North America. Burlington Sentinel and Democrat , June 18, 1824 Fast forward to 1846 and some prominent members of the Nankin area became mouthpieces for the movement. The meeting in Livonia at the Baptist Meeting House included, notably, Gen. John E. Schwarz, the abolitionist whose home supposedly was a stop on the Underground ...

Detroit Free Press , October 21, 1848 Following the lead of this brief advertisement for Mr. Buel's Appointments turns up some interesting information. Of course, the impetus for the search was Schwarzburg, which was a stop on Alex W. Buel's speaking tour in support of his Democratic nomination for Congress, which he eventually won, as all Democrats running seemingly did in the 1848 election, save for General Cass in his Presidential bid. The speech was October 28th at 7PM. Other stops included Dearborn, Redford, Northville, Plymouth and Wayne. Detroit Free Press , June 13, 1848 Gen. John E. Schwarz's connection with Buel, apparently both Germans and Democrats, extends beyond his stop. In a June 13th Ratification Meeting of Germans at Hickory Hall both Schwarz and Buel spoke to the gathering. Seeing as both were prominent political players it's likely their connections go beyond 1848 but I'll leave that to another time. Detroit Free Press , November 15, 1848