AFRICANAMER-GEN-L Archives

From: "Tru_Black2" <>
Subject: The respect they deserve
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2004 23:47:20 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

The respect they deserve
By MICHELLE EVERHART, News-Sun Staff Writer
Two bouquets and an American flag are the only indicators of the graves of
George and Sarah Gammon in Ferncliff Cemetery.
The couple, famous for their stop on the Underground Railroad in Springfield
were remembered Saturday on the 100th anniversary of George Gammon's death.

The black couple opened their home to slaves seeking freedom on their way
north to Canada.
"I suspect the Gammons did not operate the safe house for accolades of man,"
Rev. C.M. Ferguson of the New North Street African Methodist Episcopal
Church, said. "They didn't do it for praises down here but for praises up
above, and we should salute them."
The day also marks Juneteenth, commemorating when word of the slaves'
freedom finally reached Texas on June 19, 1865, more than two years after
President Abraham Lincoln declared it so.
About 20 people gathered at their graves in a quiet ceremony to honor their
work to free slaves.
"Some people might think they broke the civil law, but I'm sure they felt it
was their Christian duty," said Betty Grimes, chairwoman of the Gammon House
"They were very brave for seeking liberty and justice for all those in
bondage."
The solemn commemoration was marked with songs, readings and a proclamation
read by Mayor Warren Copeland.
"I think it is critically important in a community that is so proud of its
past that this be part of the story of Springfield," Copeland said.
The Gammon graves, along with their daughter's, have gone without markers
for years, something the Gammon House Restoration Committee would like to
rectify, Grimes said.
Art Thomas, a self-proclaimed genealogy buff, presented Grimes with the
beginning documents of the Gammon history. Thomas began looking for his
ancestors in Champaign County and came to find they were alive at the same
time as George Gammon's parents, Thomas said.
Going through libraries, county records, census records, old newspapers and
even checking newer databases online, Thomas said he pieced together
documentation of the Gammons, including a marriage license and the order by
the city not to raze the Gammon house in 1997.
The combined celebration continued in the afternoon with vendors and
entertainment at the corner of Pleasant and Center streets. Some
participants did re-enactments while others recited passages from Paul
Laurence Dunbar. Tours of the Gammon House on Piqua Place were also
available.
People gathered outside the couple's home to hear John Bailey, operations
manager, explain the history and architecture of the home, which is being
restored in three phases. The exterior restoration is finished and the
committee is raising funds for the interior restoration.
The house had been divided into a duplex but had fallen into disrepair until
the committee took over.

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• The respect they deserve by "Tru_Black2" <>