Saturday afternoon my handsome and I took a drive around his hometown
of Sanger, Ca.
It is a small country town that is quickly growing.
But it also is rich in history.
He knew of an old cemetery that dated back to the 1800's.
When he was telling me about it, I knew we had to check this gem out.
The Old Aker's Cemetery
This is the memorial that is left in the front of the entrance
by the family members in 1958.
There are approx. 41 people buried here.
Unfortunately only about 25 are still marked.
The combination of vandals and a flood in the early 1900's
wiped a lot out.
When you first walk in the chain linked gate,
there is a grave to the right.
It grabbed my attention, not because it was close the entrance,
but because it seemed to have a newer tombstone.
The older tombstone was barely readable and broken.
I am assuming that some family members in 2008 restored his stone.
But my curiosity did not stop there.
His tombstone reads.
Under this broken tombstone lies
Gabriel Bibbard Moore
Born a slave in Alabama
July 2, 1812
Drowned in the King's River
May 25, 1880
A FREE MAN!
This stuck with us for a few days until we did some research.
I wanted to know about Mr. Moore and wow.
What an amazing life he led.
Gabriel Moore, an ex-slave and Fresno County's first and most successful African-American cattleman.
Moore had been the slave of the Glenn family in Arkansas. He was brought to California by Richard and William Glenn in 1853 with the Akers wagon train. After settling in freedom on the Kings River, Gabe proceeded to make himself into a wealthy free man—first by farming and then by cattle raising. By 1860, just seven years out of slavery, Gabe had accumulated $3,000 in personal property.
Moore is said to have planted the first apple and fig orchards near Centerville.
An account from the Fresno Expositor dated January 4, 1871 told of a county clerk refusing to allow Gabe to vote, even though the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution had given black men the right to vote nearly a year earlier, although his name shows up on the Fresno County voter registration list in 1872. Gabe Moore was drowned in 1880 while attempting to drive his cattle across the King's River. He left a wife, a son, 4 adopted children and a $15,000 estate
Moore had been the slave of the Glenn family in Arkansas. He was brought to California by Richard and William Glenn in 1853 with the Akers wagon train. After settling in freedom on the Kings River, Gabe proceeded to make himself into a wealthy free man—first by farming and then by cattle raising. By 1860, just seven years out of slavery, Gabe had accumulated $3,000 in personal property.
Moore is said to have planted the first apple and fig orchards near Centerville.
An account from the Fresno Expositor dated January 4, 1871 told of a county clerk refusing to allow Gabe to vote, even though the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution had given black men the right to vote nearly a year earlier, although his name shows up on the Fresno County voter registration list in 1872. Gabe Moore was drowned in 1880 while attempting to drive his cattle across the King's River. He left a wife, a son, 4 adopted children and a $15,000 estate
Here are a few other tombstones we found.
After this outing we decided that we are going to visit more little gems in the Valley to better understand out history of our little community.
Have a wonderful day.
Chelle
So interesting. Thank you for sharing this. Sometimes I question if this country has made much progress since 1871 but I have hope.
ReplyDeleteMary, I am right with you on questioning our hope. It amazes me what is still allowed in some states today. I have hope, but it is not as great as it once was. Thanks for stopping by.
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