Consider the Decisions You Make!! Generations may be affected!! Part IV

Moses Carver (1812–1910) was a German-American settler.

Moses Carver and his brother Richard mi¬grated to Diamond Grove, Missouri around 1838 from Ohio and Illinois. The Preemption Act of 1841 allowed farmers who lived on and improved 160 acres of land for six months to buy the land from the government at a low price. Moses Carver purchased a total of 240 acres in Marion Township, Newton County, Missouri.

As an early settler in the area, Carver selected a good site with an abundant water supply. He built a one-room log cabin with a window, a fireplace, and no floor. This is where he and his wife Susan initially lived, along with three nieces and nephews, whom they raised after Richard's death in 1839.

Though opposed to slavery on principle, Moses needed help as the farm prospered. In 1855, he purchased Mary Washington, a thirteen-year-old pregnant slave girl,from a neighbor. George Washington was born to Mary Washington. His father had died during her pregnancy in an agricultural accident.

In a state strongly divided by the tensions leading to the Civil War, the independent-minded and eccentric Moses Carver was in a difficult position, since he offended Confederates by being a Unionist, and Unionists by owning slaves.

Washington and his mother were taken from the farm by the feared Quantrill’s Raiders. These kidnappings were not unusual during the Civil War. When the Raiders got back to Kansas, the baby Washington was found to be too sick to be of any value to them.

A letter was sent to Moses Carver offering to trade the baby for a horse. Moses saddled up his best horse and headed for Kansas. When he got there, he took the baby, wrapped him in a blanket, put him inside of his coat and walked back to Missouri. George Washington was to remain sickly through-out his youth. The loss of his mother would remain with him throughout his life.

Moses and Susan Carver took the baby into their home and even gave him their name. George Washington became George Washington Carver. During that time, he was taught how to read by Mrs. Carver. He showed early promise in agriculture and developed a desire to further his education.

George left the farm when he was eleven to go to the black school in Neosho, Missouri. He returned to the Moses Carver farm on weekends, but never lived permanently with the Carvers again.

The Moses Carver farm became the George Washington Carver National Monument by an act of Congress in July 1943. The National Park Service maintains 210 acres of the original 240-acre farm.

Moses Carver should have received the Nobel Peace Prize!!!

The Boomer Blogger