Welcome From the General de Lafayette Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

Welcome From the General de Lafayette Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
On behalf of the General de Lafayette Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, welcome to this blog, "Road to Freedom Through Greater Lafayette." We have attempted to post brief biographical sketches of many of the men and women who were involved in Abolitionist activities in the Greater Lafayette, Indiana, area during the mid-19th century. We hope that it inspires further research into their lives and activities, because we believe the history in our community is worthy of national, state, and local recognition. Please forgive any imperfections. While we are lovers of history, we aren't degreed historians. We will always accept correction and learn from others who have studied history longer than we have. If you see an error, or if you would like to contribute information or photographs, please contact us at generaldelafayette@gmail.com. This website is a work-in-progress, and we will be adding to it, so please check back frequently.

Tootle Family Part of Historic Beech Colony Settlement in Indiana

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Anne Nesbitt, a Tootle & Jeffries descendant, pictured with General Tootle, Sr., 
                    grandson at a recent AME Church Beech Settlement Descendant Reunion 

A deeper dive into General Tootle’s ancestry led to some interesting discoveries.  He is likely part of an historic Black farming settlement, called “The Beech Colony” located in Carthage, Indiana.  Historian T. B. Deem wrote about the fascinating history in the September 10, 1937, edition of the Tri-County Banner (Knightstown, Indiana.)  A senior General Tootle was part of a 15-wagon caravan of free Black and mixed-race families who came to the area with Quakers.  The senior General Tootle traveled with a brother and five sons, one of whom was likely General Tootle, Jr. who later migrated to Lafayette, Indiana.  The Beech Settlement was one of Indiana’s early black rural settlements and one of the largest of its kind.  By 1835 the community had a population of 400 residents.  Many had purchased inexpensive federal forest land, which they cleared and used to grow crops and raise livestock.

Deem wrote about the Tootle family in the newspaper article.  “It is said that ‘General’ Tootle came through with his five boys and a two-wheeled cart.  Most of the others had wagons, with ‘Carolina’ beds.  These beds were so made that they were much higher in front and rear than in the middle.  This style was used so as to keep the loads from spilling out while traveling over the steep grades of the hilly country.” 

Another of the original caravan settlers was a man named Marchlan Jeffries.  Interestingly, this man happens to be a direct ancestor to Anne Nesbitt, our chapter’s chaplain, and DAR Service to Veterans Chair!  In fact, Anne is also distantly related to the senior General Tootle and his family through her Jeffries ancestral line.

“It’s such a small world!” declared Anne at learning about the discovery and her relationship to the local Underground Railroad history.  Anne has been to the settlement area as part of an annual reunion to the first African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Indiana.  Through research, Regent Diana Vice found a direct descendent of the original General Tootle, Kim Cox, who is currently living in California.  She has visited Lafayette in the past during one of her visits to the Beech Settlement and AME Church. She has a friendship with another of our members, Kyra Hatke, and hopes to visit again in the future to meet Anne and others associated with this story.

The Mount Pleasant Church, formed in 1832, served as a central place of worship and education for the early African American community.  Anne continues to be passionate about the education of African American children.  She and her husband, Mark, built and continue to operate two schools in Haiti.  They personally fund the operation of the schools and visit the children and school staff each year.

Although the Beech Settlement no longer exists, the church, along with the Walker Jeffries homestead, remains. In 2016, Rush County Heritage group, working with Indiana Landmarks and friends of the Beech Church, launched a campaign to raise funds to restore the historic church.  It was officially rededicated in 2018.  The Beech Settlement is an essential piece of American history.


Beech Settlement Church
(Courtesy of Anne Nesbitt)





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