Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Pursuit of Freedom
Wanderer Memory Trail
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2021
1. Pursuit of Freedom Marker
In 1863, as a strategy to end the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that "all persons held as slaves, within the confederate states are, and henceforward forever shall be free."
It took many years before Lincoln's promise came true. For a long time after freedom came, prejudice and discriminatory "Jim Crow" laws continued to keep African Americans segregated, and denied full equality.
Eventually, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provided legal equality under the law. The African American community continues the struggle for equal treatment today.
Wanderer survivors and their families faced choices about how to best achieve the benefits of freedom following the Civil War. Some continued their lives in the South. Others sought a way to return to Africa. And still others migrated north in search of opportunities and to build a new life.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 31° 1.37′ N, 81°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Memories of Home (a few steps from this marker); Generations (a few steps from this marker); Food (a few steps from this marker); Music (within shouting distance of this marker); A Life of Slavery (within shouting distance of this marker); Strange New World (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Miserable Voyage (about 400 feet away); Marched to the Sea (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.
Regarding Pursuit of Freedom. The UNESCO Slave Route Project: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage. This site fulfils the quality criteria set by the UNESCO Slave Route Project in conjunction with the International Network of Managers of Sites and Itineraries of Memory.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Wanderer Memory Trail
Also see . . . Wanderer Memory Trail. The trail is located along
2. Marker detail: Emancipation Proclamation
Courtesy United States Library of Congress
3. Marker detail: Free!
Photographed By James F. Gibson (b. 1828)
4. Marker detail: A Group of Runaway Slaves, 1862
5. Marker detail: Recently freed slaves pursuing safety and a chance at a new life.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2021
6. Pursuit of Freedom Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
