FREEDOM LIES ACROSS THE RIVER

<p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Slavery manumission the Baptist Church and the Underground Railroad have been a major part of American History.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>The future without slavery began in the Northwest Territory only after an Ordinance was issued which declared the new western lands of the United States to be free of slavery. Subsequently the southeast corner of the region became the State of Ohio in 1803 which was an undeveloped frontier until 1800. This area became Lawrence County Ohio the closest free area north of the Ohio River to the old south slavery.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Limited trails led west but three ended at the Ohio River in Lawrence County. Manumitted Blacks settled in the county where they began the oldest Black Church in Ohio. They also created and maintained a Black trail of freedom often called the Underground Railroad. Despite restricting Black Laws and the harassment by local slave catchers these people risked their lives to live in an area where they could aid other people in escaping slavery.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Freedom Lies Across the River is a story of the Black freedom of this region. It provides the reader with numerous maps and an extensive appendix to help them trace their own connections to the area.</span></p>