This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Prairie cabin reunion and a daring slave escape tale
In a frontier gathering, John McNeil jealously guards Ann Rutledge as neighbors hint at budding love. Abe Lincoln and Sampson Traylor discuss books and politics while a charged escape tale unfolds. Two enslaved people recount their flight aided by Elijah Lovejoy and Samson Traylor, leading to a tense confrontation at John Peasley’s Orwell Farm with Brimstead and a vigilant dog. The scene shifts from humor to danger as a pursuer is thwarted and a dramatic pursuit ends at the barn.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John McNeil
Ann Rutledge
Kelso
Swinson
Sarah Traylor
The
Prairies
Honest Abe
Kirkham
Gramm
Washington
Henry Clay
Uam- Jet
Senate
Mare Anthony
Cotter
Robert Burns
Abe
Joe
Betsey Traylor
Burns
Samson
Min
Sarah
Father
Bla
Harry Needles
Springfield
Mr. Offut
Betsey
Abe Lincoln
Daniel Webster
Clay
Jackson
Samaon
Garry
Sapington
Pittsburg
Ohio
Indiana
Milnoiw
Abton
Beardstown
Grive
Aba
Berson
Mississippi
Elijah Lovejoy
Alten
Mr. Lovejoy
Erasmn Wright
Mr. Wright
Samson Traylor
John Peasley
Hopedale
Tweewell
Lovejoy
Biggs
Orwell Farm
New Salem
Henry Brimestead
Brimstead
Peasley
Orwell
York State
Mr. Peasley
Salid Samson
Peaney
Raimson
John
Charles
Traylor
Buddes
Elim
Jaethen
Ponta