Collection & Primary Sources

The sources that are presented in this collection include pictures, drawings and documents of the freely black slaves' migration to the establishment of Nicodemus, Kansas, which at the time was thought to be the “Largest Colored Colony in America”. Announcements were posted in newspapers about Kansas, and many drawings and pictures that focus on the black exodus from the South to Kansas. Here you can see the timeline starting from the announcement of the end of slavery, and ending up on Nicodemus, Kansas, where many free slaves settled down. 

CARLTON William Tolman (1816-1888), artist. 1863. Painting. Watch Meeting Dec. 31st 1862. Waiting for the Hour (also called The Hour of Emancipation ).. Easel Painting / Identified Artist. Place: HOUSTON (TX)., Collection: Menil Foundation Collection., 89-08~DJ., GLEN ELLYN (IL)., Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Harold GRAY, (1989).. https://library-artstor-org.dominican.idm.oclc.org/asset/IBWA_DB_10313287454.

Waiting for the Hour (also called The Hour of Emancipation )

This drawing depicts a group slaves, waiting to hear the news about the end of slavery and Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The painting also depicts them huddled with a Bible, opened to the book of Exodus. Exodus is about the end of Jewish Slavery by the Egyptians and their journey to the Promised Land that was saved for them by God. There is excitement and even anxiety to hear whether or not they will be freed from chains. 

Refugees on levee, April 17, 1897 

This photograph captures a family of former black slaves, on a levee/boat on the Mississippi River who are fleeing the South and in hopes to reach Kansas. Kansas was thought to be a place where former black slaves could live freely and peacefully. Many who had started living and establishing a home in Kansas, sent word to those who were still living in the South. 
Refugees on levee,/ photo by Carroll's Art Gallery. Mississippi, ca. 1897. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2011646606/
Mitchell, Neil, Artist, Solomon Eytinge, and H. J Lewis. "The Little Ida" / Drawn by Neil Mitchell.En route for Kansas - fleeing from the Yellow Fever / Drawn by Sol Eytinge, Jun., from a sketch by H.J. Lewis. , 1879. [New York: Harper & Brothers] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019630693/.

En route for Kansas - fleeing from the Yellow Fever

During a Yellow Fever epidemic surrounding the Caribbean and the South of the US, many former black slaves with their families were also driven to find a new place to live and get as far as possible to leave the South. The epidemic and the struggles that many black families were still facing even after the end of the Civil War in South were contributing factors to migrate to Kansas.. In the picture, you can see that the people fleeing are in ripped clothing that can almost pass as rags. A woman is holding her child and grabbing her other child by hand holding for dear life, and making sure her son doesn’t get lost. All of the people are barefoot, making it noticeable the poverty that they were living in the South. 

The Negro exodus. Scenes on the wharves at Vicksburg

Here you can see a crowd of free slaves in a port in Vicksburg, Mississippi trying to find a way out. Many left the South to go to Kansas, as it was one of the main places where newly freed slaves decided to go to. They decided to flee from the violence in the South and live somewhere else where they did not have to fear for their life and pursuit their happiness. 
Moser, James Henry, Artist. The Negro exodus - Scenes on the wharves at Vicksburg / from a sketch by James H. Moser. United States Mississippi Vicksburg, 1879. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2001695517/.
Benjamin "Pap" Singleton. Kansas Historical Society, 1880.

Portrait of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton


Benjamin Singleton was born a slave in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1809 Singleton escaped to Canada to gain his freedom and returned to  Tennessee after the end of the Civil War in the US. Seeking a better life for himself and for the newly emancipated African Americans, he began to buy land in Tenessee. He then looked to Kansas as a potential site for black emigration, and organized the Tennessee Real Estate and Homestead Association with his business partner, Columbus Johnson.  He helped thousands of Exodusters relocate to Kansas, leading to his name as "Father of the Exodus."

Announcement to Nicodemus Kansas

Many former black slaves had obtained information about Kansas in several ways: letters from migrants, who settled in Nicodemus and other locations; circulars; and mass meetings. Benjamin Singleton printed handbills in an attempt to attract blacks to visit or settle in Kansas. One such flier was headed: “Ho For Kansas!” His organization helped many African American to migrate and settle in Kansas. 
“Ho For Kansas!” Copyprint of handbill. Historic American Building Survey Field Records, HABS FN-6, #KS-49-14. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (109)
Sod House. Kansas Historical Society, 1860-1880.

Sod House in Kansas


This photograph depicts a sod house in Nicodemus, Kansas. Sod houses were very common while migrating to the West. These homes were temporary. The goal was to make a bigger and sturdier house in the lands they bought and wanted to reside in for the rest of their lives. After their dream houses were constructed, these sod homes could be used for storage or a stable for the animals they brought.  Nicodemus was settled by freed people during the post-Civil War Reconstruction from the South. Nicodemus is now a historic site administered by the National Parks Service.

Nicodemus Town Company Certificate

This certificate for the Nicodemus Town Company was used to acknowledge membership which, along with a five dollar fee, was required of every emigrant seeking to settle in Nicodemus. This certificate is an example of what they look liked.  Nicodemus, which is located in Graham County, was one of the few African American communities that was settled by former slaves. 
Company, Nicodemus Town. Nicodemus Town Company Certificate. Kansas Historical Society, 1880-1882.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator, Nicodemus Town Company, Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, W R Hill, Richard Wagner, Robert Richmond, Deteel Patterson Tiller, et al., Fraser, Clayton B, and William T Belleau, photographer. Nicodemus Historic District, Nicodemus, Graham County, KS. Kansas Nicodemus Graham County, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/ks0077/.

Nicodemus Historic District, Nicodemus, Graham County, KS

In this photograph, you can see a family who is residing in Nicodemus Kansas. The family is compromised of former Black slaves. This family is one of the first settlers in the town of Nicodemus, Kansas.  They seem to have fiished building their main home in the town. The family consists of two daughters with both of their parents. They also have two horses and two dogs! Welcome home!