“Holmes v. Ford: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory”
History Pub Monday at Kennedy School
with
R. Gregory Nokes
author of
“Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory”
- Kennedy School Theater |
- Monday, July 29, 2013
- 7 p.m. |
- Free |
- All ages welcome
About “Holmes v. Ford: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory”
Missouri
slaves Robin and Polly Holmes and their children were brought to
Oregon in 1844 by their owner, Nathaniel Ford, with the promise of
freedom in exchange for developing his Willamette Valley farm.
Ignoring the Oregon Territory's unenforced law against slavery, Ford
didn't free the parents until 1850, even then keeping their children.
Seeking the return of his son and two daughters, Holmes took his
former master – an influential farmer and legislator – to court.
In his new book, R. Gregory Nokes (author of Massacred
for Gold: The Chinese in Hells Canyon)
tells the story of the only slavery case adjudicated in Oregon's
pre-Civil
War courts. He follows the largely unknown experiences of other
Oregon slaves and explores the historical context of racism in the
West.
About the Speaker
Greg Nokes retired in 2003 after 43 years in journalism, including 25 years with The Associated Press and 15 years with The Oregonian in Portland. While with The AP, he was stationed in New York, San Juan, Buenos Aires and Washington, D.C., where he served as both an economics and diplomatic correspondent. He traveled to more than 50 countries during his career. Nokes graduated from Willamette University and attended Harvard University as a 1972 Nieman Fellow. Since retiring, he has embarked on a second career as a writer and lecturer on the experience of immigrant Chinese in the Pacific Northwest. His writings about the murders of Chinese miners has resulted in a formal designation of the massacre site as Chinese Massacre Cove. Nokes lives with his wife, Candise, in West Linn, Ore.
About History Pub Monday at Kennedy School
Join us for beer and history, sponsored by the Oregon Historical Society, Holy Names Heritage Center and McMenamins, in which you'll hear lively local or regional history while you enjoy a frosty pint or two of handcrafted ale.
Map & Directions
