Florence Settlement Research, 1848-1860

For more information, contact: Jessica Harney FlorenceSettlement1848@gmail.com

About the Project

The Florence Farming Association was a planned community that was promoted by abolitionist Stephen Myers. Stephen Myers and others obtained land from Peterboro, NY abolitionist Gerrit Smith with the plan to establish a community of free African American farmers in Florence, NY from the 1840s-1860s.

Historical Marker

William G. Pomeroy Foundation Marker Map

Supporters

Dedication Events

Performance by Max Smith

Song Title: Agonizing, Cruel Slavery Days

William G. Pomeroy Foundation Historical Marker Dedication: Florence Farming Association event was held on August 25, 2023. Part of the event included a tribute of song by Max Smith, "In memory of the Florence Settlement farmers".

Florence Farming Association Historical Marker Dedication, August 25 2023

In partnership, the Oneida County History Center and the Oneida County Freedom Trail Commission welcome you to a dedication ceremony of the replacement historical marker to commemorate the 1848-1860 African American Settlement facilitated by the Florence Farming and Lumber Association.

2023FlorenceDedicationProgram

October 8, 2017

William G. Pomeroy Foundation NYS Historic Roadside Marker Dedication: Florence Farming Association October 8, 2017

The initial historical marker dedication took place at 2:00 on October 8, 2017. In attendance were local Florence community members, the Oneida County Freedom Trail Commission, representatives from the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, Hartgen Archeological Associates, representatives from the NYS DEC, the Florence Town Board members, and teachers from Camden High School. In January 2022, the original historical marker was vandalized and stolen. With the help of the Oneida County History Center and the generous support of the community funds were raised in April 2023 and matched by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to replace the missing marker.

Location

Florence Hill NYS Forest Preserve,

Florence Hill Road/Maple Hill Road intersection.

Scan the QR for Google Map Pin

Thank you to the many supporters of this project!

The greatest gift to this public history has been the gift of time from so many people.

William G. Pomeroy Foundation
The many public donors that aided in the purchase of a replacement historical marker
Rebecca McLain, Oneida County History Center
Oneida County Freedom Trail Commission
- Jan DeAmicis, Mary Hayes Gordan, Deirdre Sinnott, Judith Wellman
Paul and Mary Liz Stewart of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence and Underground Railroad Education Center
Florence Town Board
- Scott Outrim, Florence Town Supervisor
- John Boncella, Florence Highway Dept. Supervisor
- Florence Highway Department
Matt Kirk, Hartgen Archeological Associates
Chuck Vandrei, NYS DEC Agency Historic Preservation Officer

NYS DEC Region 6 and Forester Jessica Mosher
NYS Museum Archeologists
NYS Historian Devin Lander
Jordan Jace, Consider the Source, NYS Archives Partnership Trust
Camden Educators: Dan Carver, Kelly Doran, Christina McCarthy, Jeannine Bloomquist, Linda Williams, Ben Mitchell
Camden HS/MVCC Dual Credit U.S. and NYS History students, volunteers, and alumni
Gerrit Smith Estate National Landmark
National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum