Frank McWorter was known as "Free Frank" as he was born into slavery but later purchased his own freedom and that of his family. He moved his family from Kentucky to Illinois to make a new life for themselves. When arriving in Illinois the laws required he take a last name and he was given the name "Frank McWorter". Subsequent to this he and his common law wife, Lucy, were told they needed to re-marry to make their union official under state law. Frank and Lucy presented themselves before a justice to perform the union and while listening to the vows "do you promise to live with, cherish and support, this woman as your wife", Frank replied, "Why, God bless your soul! I've done that thing for the last 40 years."
Frank was an enterprising, industrious and successful person. He was the first black man to settle in the new Pike County and created the successful town of "New Philadelphia" in Hadley township. The McWorter Cemetery is names after him and was previously known as "New Philadelphia Cemetery."
- History of Pike County, Illinois; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, ... and Biographies ... History of Illinois ... Illustrated. , 1880
Frank was an enterprising, industrious and successful person. He was the first black man to settle in the new Pike County and created the successful town of "New Philadelphia" in Hadley township. The McWorter Cemetery is names after him and was previously known as "New Philadelphia Cemetery."
- History of Pike County, Illinois; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, ... and Biographies ... History of Illinois ... Illustrated. , 1880
Frank McWorter was known as "Free Frank" as he was born into slavery but later purchased his own freedom and that of his family. He moved his family from Kentucky to Illinois to make a new life for themselves. When arriving in Illinois the laws required he take a last name and he was given the name "Frank McWorter". Subsequent to this he and his common law wife, Lucy, were told they needed to re-marry to make their union official under state law. Frank and Lucy presented themselves before a justice to perform the union and while listening to the vows "do you promise to live with, cherish and support, this woman as your wife", Frank replied, "Why, God bless your soul! I've done that thing for the last 40 years."
Frank was an enterprising, industrious and successful person. He was the first black man to settle in the new Pike County and created the successful town of "New Philadelphia" in Hadley township. The McWorter Cemetery is names after him and was previously known as "New Philadelphia Cemetery."
- History of Pike County, Illinois; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, ... and Biographies ... History of Illinois ... Illustrated. , 1880
Frank was an enterprising, industrious and successful person. He was the first black man to settle in the new Pike County and created the successful town of "New Philadelphia" in Hadley township. The McWorter Cemetery is names after him and was previously known as "New Philadelphia Cemetery."
- History of Pike County, Illinois; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, ... and Biographies ... History of Illinois ... Illustrated. , 1880
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