The Free Union Fire of 1896: Tragedy and Injustices

July 6, 2023

Helice Jones and Alice Cannon will present the story of the Free Union Fire of 1896

One White man died in a fire  in Free Union on a cold January night in 1896 and four Black Men fell under suspicion for his death.  One was hanged, one sent to the penitentiary for 18 years, one sentenced to five years in prison and one testified to the untrue story that convicted the others and he went free.

 Helice Jones is a descendant of Taylor Harmon, who was executed.  Alice Cannon has been researching this difficult narrative since Helice told her about it.

Next Meeting:

  • Building a Digital Archive: From Slavery to Freedom at Monticello
    September 4, 2025 The Digital Archive of Slavery to Freedom At Monticello (DASFAM) envisions a database that accumulates every reference to the people enslaved at Monticello, building a more comprehensive story of genealogical history, travel, commerce, and social dynamics from the 18th century onwards. The team will share the project’s structure and welcome feedback on
    Read More

Questions?

If you have questions about CVHR, or would like to ask our members a research question, please send us an email using the link at the top of this page.