The Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Presidency.
But her story is hardly known. Not in Illinois, where — despite anti-slavery laws — she was born into bondage. Not in the city of Pekin, where — despite anti-Black attitudes — she became a beloved community figure. And certainly not in Peoria, where — despite her impressive life — she is buried in ignominy.
Perhaps her story is more subtle than those of high-profile abolitionist leaders, yet her fortitude was astounding. Barely a teen, she first stood up for her civil rights in a court of law that was stacked against Black people.
Navigation menu
Even amid legal defeats, she kept seeking the most basic of rights: freedom. She eventually won her freedom, thanks to Abraham Lincoln. Thus, Legins-Costley became the first Black person freed from bondage by Lincoln, to eventually be followed by 4 million others. Moreover, Adams and other historians say, the case pushed a theretofore ambivalent Lincoln toward an anti-slavery stance.
Disclaimer
Rather, it's not marked at all. Decades ago, her graveyard in Peoria was paved over with asphalt. Legins-Costley lies somewhere amid a muffler shop, union hall, auto garage and other commercial buildings, mostly forgotten by the march of progress, under a tombstone of asphalt.
After losing the Revolutionary War, Britain ceded a vast chunk of land — including what would become Illinois — to the United States. When Illinois became a state inits constitution prohibited slavery. Despite the institution of the Northwest Ordinance, the territorial government did The Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Presidency enforce the slavery prohibitionnor did the state immediately after joining the union in Meanwhile, slaves could legally be brought to Illinois from slave states for one year but renewable work contracts. The territory and state link permitted a system of indentured servitude.
The lengths of servitude varied by age but could extend as long as 99 years — essentially, a lifetime. Though the law implied the need for consent by the servant, the system was essentially slavery by another name. Indeed, indentured-servitude contracts and thus the services of the servant could be sold just like any sort of property, and without any consent necessary. To a large degree, her story remained unknown until the mids, when Adams first noticed a mention of her life. Adamswho recently lived in North Pekin, gradually unpeeled layers of her lifemore info process he continues today.
Nance was born in in Kaskaskiawhich briefly served as Illinois' first capital. She likely was the daughter of Randall and Anachy Legins, who had been bought as indentured servants along with two others The Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Presidency Col. By laws of the time, Nance could be held or sold as an indentured servant until age Though the state capital already had moved to Vandalia, boarders — including businessmen and other bigwig travelers — routinely would discuss issues of the day, including slavery.
Download Free HD Wallpapers [Mobile + Desktop]
And Nance, though illiterate for Legavy lack of schooling, listened intently. Inthe Cox household including indentured servants relocated to Springfieldwhich would not become the state capital until Dice went quietly. Nance did not. Nance resisted relocation with Cromwell, her stance remarkable for a Black girl not yet 14 years old.]
You are absolutely right.