A recap of findings and discussions during the last year as presented at the July family reunion in Colorado Springs. Each page highlights an aspect of the life story we simply ran out of time to unpack. Which of these are you interested in knowing more about? What questions should we explore? Send thoughts here: Contact Form. Johann Barnyard Events_FFR JUL 2025Download
Preserving a historic landmark November 26, 2024 Rimsie McConiga The Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign (BAAC) and Weston residents are committed to an important mission. They, along with other local residents have been tirelessly working to get the Halfway House Cellar nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Bill Nichols’ research project on the Halfway House Cellar began in mid-2023 after he met with BAAC founder, Angela Hagenbach. “Along the way the research project was aided or supported by BAAC members and dozens of local residents who shared their stories and information about the Halfway House Cellar,”…
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH 4:00 pm-8:00 pm is a bar b q picnic at Bear Creak Regional Park (21st Street and West Rio Grand Ave) under a large Pavilion (#1 pavilion)with picnic tables. This park has pickleball courts, basketball court and a large green space for soccer and/or kickball. Water will be supplied, please bring your own special drinks and comfy chairs. Location - Map SATURDAY, JULY 26TH 2:00-8:00 pm at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church (8755 Scarborough Drive). For anyone who would like to do a presentation, the hall has up to date AV…
A perfect day for Juneteenth Jubilee The fourth annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee in Weston was celebrated at the Weston Red Barn Farm on Saturday, June 15 under perfect weather. Each year the event has featured a different theme. This year’s theme is “Freedom Seekers, Freedom Fighters, People, Places and Passageways.” The event is presented by the Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign (BAAC) of Weston. Go to source article: A perfect day for Juneteenth Jubilee, The Platte County Citizen, June 18, 2024 Dennis Sharkey
Photo above "Halfway House, Platte City-Weston toll Road, Hwy. 273" from Memories of Weston, Missouri, Vol. II Millennium Edition - 1837 to 2000, p. 16 The Half-way House, Underground Railroad, and John McCurdy Records from the Platte County Civil Court and from the Weston Court of Common Pleas, show that one John McCurdy was frequently arrested on charges of aiding and abetting slaves to run away to freedom. He was also charged with transporting them out of the State of Missouri. Most, if not all, of those cases occurred in 1850-1851-1852. It is known that John…
Columns continue below with 1) "But no one..." 2) "Floersch was tried..." and 3) A Dungeon for Slaves Article view in its entirety
Hi All (including Chris Floersch): Another summary of a Bully Pitt-related court case that Rebecca received from the Missouri State Archives. Thank you Rebecca! The case seemed interesting because of the mention of a slave boy named Jack. Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t mentioned very much in court filings and his importance as an asset wasn’t as significant as the real estate. Neither Brady or Larkin were listed on the 1850 and 1860 Slave Census as owning Jack. In summary, Bully Pitt sued Larkin Fleshman to stop Fleshman’s execution of a judgment against John C. Brady. Pitt felt…
Hi All: [FYI, I’m cc’ing Chris Floersch for his review.] Rebecca recently received the three Bully Pitt-related court files that she had requested from the Missouri State Archives. Thanks again, Rebecca, for getting the court file. Below is the summary of the 1860 Morrison vs. Pitt and Frost case and I’ll send the other summaries later. But first, a couple of observations: * Slave George was originally owned by James H. Johnston and his wife Martha was the executor of James H.’s estate. Paxton says James H. was the postmaster and a merchant…
Copy of the original handwritten record of Peter Floersch's mortgage of Lot #92 of Block 8 in Weston in 1859. The purpose of the mortgage is not known. Transcribed record of Peter Floersch's mortgage of Lot #92 of Block 8 in Weston in 1859. The purpose of the mortgage is not known.
Copy of the original handwritten record of Elizabeth's sale on 15 June, 1855 of the farm purchased by John Floersch in Oct,1843. Transcribed record of Elizabeth's sale on 15 June, 1855, of the farm purchased by John Floersch in Oct,1843. This sale followed the death of John on 13 Jan, 1855, in the Jefferson City, MO, Prison. Following this sale, Elizabeth moved to Pottawatomie County, KS to live with son Michael. Note the error in the description of the land at line 8: "South west quarter"; in the original sale to John, it was described as…
Rock Creek Valley, KS