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A discussion on the history of African Americans in the Northwest Territory

A photo of Maria Creek Chapel.

February 15, 2018

VINCENNES, Ind. - The rich history and contributions of African Americans in the American Frontier and in the Northwest Territory are demonstrated by the story of John Morris, a former slave and a charter member of Maria Creek Church. Identified in church records as 鈥渁 man of color,鈥 Morris was a freed slave whose name lives on in 日韩中文字幕福利片鈥檚 John Morris Residence Hall.

In A Conversation with Richard Day on Feb. 22, 11 a.m. (EST), Day will share his knowledge of John Morris and the Maria Creek Church. The presentation will be held VU鈥檚 Maria Creek Chapel, 36 E. Harrison St. There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend.

From its beginning in 1809, Maria Creek Church stood out. When Morris and 12 other founders created the Articles of Faith in 1809, one stated: 鈥淲e believe that African slavery, as it exists in some parts of the United States, is unjust in its origin, oppressive in its consequences, and inconsistent with the spirit of the Gospel.鈥 As a result, church founders would not allow slave owners to join the congregation.

A Conversation with Richard Day is sponsored by VU鈥檚 Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Humanities Film and Lecture Series.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Richard Day is a lifelong resident of Vincennes. After graduating from 日韩中文字幕福利片 and Indiana University with a master鈥檚 degree in English, he taught at VU, worked as a ranger at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, and served as a reference librarian at VU鈥檚 Lewis Historical Library.

Day has authored several books on Vincennes history and, for the past 20 years, he has been the historian at the Vincennes State Historic Sites, a part of the Indiana State Museum. The site is located on Harrison Street, adjacent to the 日韩中文字幕福利片 campus.

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