Prompt 1, Part 1 In Another Castle

[adoptedwriter]

 

A Light Story

 

Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, 1795

 

“You won’t believe how beautiful it is here.”, wrote Jacob Light to his older brother, Peter. “There’s work, excitement; this place is growing!” 

 

It didn’t take long for Peter and Barbara Light to pack up their belongings and two young sons, and by farm wagon make their way south to the Ohio River where by flatboat, they avoided the Appalachian foothills of what would eventually become West Virginia. Like so many Americans, Peter sought opportunity and more security by moving westward. He was a land surveyor by trade (and a justice of the peace), and knew profitable work could be made around the growing river towns of Ripley and New Richmond, Ohio. Barbara wanted her sons to have good educations and to know their uncle and cousins better. As soon as the weather broke, they departed in the spring.

 

Sons George, the elder, and David were different as night and day. In spite of only being ten years old, George was quiet, reflective and saw the world in a sensitive and serious way. He would miss his school, church and his usual routine. David, age 8, was bolder, adventurous, sociable and rarely sat still. They were both loved and cared for by their parents, but like many siblings each had times of feeling that one was preferred over the other by their mother and father. 

 

The boat journey took two weeks. The farm wagon, disassembled in pieces and stored in the boat’s shelter looked strange to young George. The family also brought two horses and a chicken along with bedding, dishes, a soup pot, tools and a Bible. Pa said his new job would help other incoming settlers to Southwest Ohio find lands on which to set up homes. The river would be a good resource for trade, fishing and connecting between the east and west. 

 

George didn’t care much for changes, but he had no choice. Pa assured him that he would in time love his new town and all the opportunities to learn, grow and meet people. David, on the other hand was restless as the flatboat ride seemed to drag on. The river was lower in the summer which meant the waters flowed at a reduced rate from northeast to southwest. He felt squeezed in on the boat. Little, fidgety David sat long hours gazing at the banks as the watercraft glided by, wondering what the world looked like beyond the muddy banks and endless sycamore, sugar maple and eastern cottonwood trees. There was no room to run and play on their one-family Noah’s Ark. He only had to endure two weeks of boat life, but he wondered how did Noah’s kids stand all the confinement for 40 days?

 

At last, the modest mini-barge docked in New Richmond, the Light family’s new home town. They were welcomed warmly by their new community and settled in with Uncle Jacob Light who was a founder of the town. As time passed, Young George learned about the struggles of enslaved people as he witnessed attempted escapes across the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio. Some of those feats were successful but so many were not. He felt deep compassion for the torn apart families, tortured escapees and especially the fearful children and young people determined to find their way to a better and safer life in the North. 

 

George grew up to become a prominent Methodist minister and eventually resided at 401 Front Street, along the river. His home became a significant Underground Railroad site and safe haven for enslaved people on the move. He provided food, water and temporary shelter along with spiritual assurance to his overwhelmed but grateful guests. 

 

While his brother, David, ventured off to another settlement community in Bethel, Ohio to farm and achieve his passion for being an outdoorsman, George C. Light eventually left New Richmond when his church split over the slavery issue. He never gave upon his belief of freedom and respect for all. Reverend Light journeyed to Vicksburg, Mississippi to minister until he died on his 75th birthday in 1860.

 

The old house at 401 Front Street in New Richmond, OH, which once belonged to my husband’s 4th great uncle, still stands today, sturdy, solid and mighty like a castle along the banks of the Ohio River. The Light family no longer owns it, and for years it stood vacant. Today it has new life and new owners. It’s a festive and glorious historic landmark where people gather to celebrate and dine. There’s a plaque on the side of the building bearing George C. Light’s name and his contribution to the abolitionist movement. While doing family history this past summer, my husband and I happened upon this restaurant quite accident and of course ate and toasted Uncle George, or Tío Jorge as he might be thought of today!  https://www.wlwt.com/article/landing-casa-del-rio-new-richmond-ohio-restaurant-river/71419729.  

Part 2 to follow 

Comments

[dadi]

Wow what a family history!

[adoptedwriter]

We’ve found some stories!

[thephantomq]

Family history like this is so cool to learn about. :)

[adoptedwriter]

It’s been fascinating.

[shirebound]

He only had to endure two weeks of boat life, but he wondered how did Noah’s kids stand all the confinement for 40 days?

My six-year-old grandnephew asks questions just like that!

[adoptedwriter]

Kids have awesome thoughts.

[humanbeansradio]

What a fascinating family history to uncover! I particularly enjoyed the details of the flatboat journey, especially David wondering how Noah's children managed forty days aboard the ark. And how extraordinary to discover that the house still stands and has become a place where people gather again. There's something lovely about being able to sit inside a building connected to your own family's history and raise a glass to someone who lived there generations ago.

[adoptedwriter]

Yes indeed! Thanks !

[bsgsix]

This is such a full and intriguing look at family history, and your details are perfect here. I also really enjoy George and David's perspectives, and how you came upon George's restaurant (or, Tío Jorge's, as you very specifically said)! This is highly fascinating, as heritage and ancestry tends to be. Wonderful work! <3