1870 – David Blazer living w/widow Beulah Allison
Blazers: “They were often members of religious groups whose beliefs did not coincide with the officially accepted dogma. On many occasions these religious dissidents were imprisoned, tortured, killed, robbed of their land and possessions, humiliated and threatened in many ways.” …. “While many of these refugee families may have stayed in the areas where they were reasonably well received, many opted to move on in search of more opportunities for material growth and broader religious and civil freedom. Sympathizers along the way donated money and offered temporary employment to those whose destinations were not always certain.” from Blazer family history
Members of Cross Roads Presbyterian church in Penna; renamed Florence, merged with Paris.
Appraisal of David Blazer estate: William Allison, Daniel C. Riggs (son of Rev. Cyrus Riggs?), William C. McKamy (founding member & pastor? of Industry Cumberland Presby?)
John Blazer – died 1903… buried Camp Creek
Photo of John Blazer
Mrs. John (Sarah) Blazer attended Jacksonville Woman’s College, grad in 1839, member of ME Church
David Blazer m. Nancy Cavitt – 1852 member of Cross Roads Presby in PA
Joseph Hoy Blazer to NM, friendly w/natives in NM?
Blazer ancestor from Germany at age 9; Hoy name Scots Irish
“Union Co, Ky – Joseph Hoy & Mary Blazer (aunt of UGRR guys) – On the slave census for Union County, District 2, dated September 20 1850 Joseph Hoy is listed as the owner of three slaves. They were: 1 female, age 13, M (mulatto) I female, age 6, M, and 1 female, age 50, B (black). This was found on page 349, roll 442996. We would like to think that those listed were more in protective custody than in bondage”
Obituary of John Blazer from Northwest Christian Advocate, page 24, Sept 16, 1903 (publication of Methodist Church) http://books.google.com/books?id=WGsxAQAAMAAJ
BLAZER JOHN. Blazer was born May 12 1814 near Frankfort Springs, Washington county, Pa. His parents were David and Sarah Hoy Blazer. They moved to McDonough county, Ill. and settled on a farm on Camp creek, in what is Industry township. In 1849 he moved to Rushville and while residing there married Mary Montgomery of Columbiana county, Ohio. In 1851 he and his wife moved to a farm on creek adjoining the farm he and his father’s family first occupied. There he lived until 1889. His first wife died in 1855 and in 1858 he married Mary Ann Phillips, who died in Macomb in 1899 to which city they had moved from the farm years before. On June 30, 1900, he left Macomb and made his home with his son James M. Blazer in Chicago where he died Aug. 24, 1903. In early life he united with the Presbyterian church and remained a member of that communion until the early 60’s when he joined our church. He died in full and regular standing in our church at Macomb. He was a staunch Abolitionist and a conductor on the “underground railway”, personally assisting in the escape of two hundred slaves, losing but one of all who came to him in their flight toward the north star. He was threatened with expulsion from the church and with imprisonment for his anti slavery sentiments and deeds. His only answer was that he must and would continue on those lines whatever might come. He said he did not expect to live to see slaves made free but his life should be given in aiding his country toward that consummation. But God graciously permitted him to live than forty years after the gathering of the of his anxious toll on behalf of his colored brother Thus after a life of eighty nine years which were spent in the state of Illinois, he died without sickness disease or pain in full hope a blissful immortality Of him it may be truly said “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
History of M. E. Church: During the civil war an effort was made to build the first house of worship in Industry….found the names ….Blazers, …. p. 107, Grandma Flack’s Scrapbook Vol 1