In 1843, Sara and Adam Crosswhite and their four children escaped from their
master in Kentucky to Michigan. They traveled north on the Underground Railroad
and settled in Marshall's "Niggertown."
In 1846, slave catchers came north to capture the Crosswhites. Neighbors and
local officials fought back. They arrested the raiders and held them in the
court overnight. They gave the Crosswhites time to escape to Canada. The raiders
sued Marshall leaders for the value of the Crosswhites. The raiders won the
suit, but the Crosswhites were free. They eventually returned to Michigan.
Photo: Adam Crosswhite (Archives of Michigan)
