Randolph Township in Rising Sun in Ohio County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Defiance of the Black Codes / Barkshire v. State

Defiance of the Black Codes side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

1. Defiance of the Black Codes side of marker

Inscription.
Defiance of the Black Codes In 1854, Arthur Barkshire, a freed African American, was tried, convicted. and fined here for bringing his wife, Elizabeth Keith, a Black woman from Ohio, across state lines in defiance of the “Black Codes.” Barkshire was charged with violating Article 13 of Indiana's 1851 Constitution, which prohibited African Americans from entering or settling in the state.

Barkshire v. State Passed with overwhelming support, Article 13 was one of many laws in the 1800s that denied African Americans rights, discriminated against them, and sought to exclude them from Indiana. Barkshire appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court. He lost his case in 1856 and the marriage was nullified, yet the couple remained here until 1859. Article 13 was declared invalid in 1866.

Erected 2021 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Ohio County Historical Society. (Marker Number 58.2021.1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 38° 57.021′ N, 84° 51.405′ W. Marker is in Rising Sun, Indiana, in Ohio County. It is in Randolph Township. Marker is at the intersection

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of South Mulberry Street and Main Street (Indiana Route 262), on the left when traveling south on South Mulberry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 Main St, Rising Sun IN 47040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Peoples' Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Ohio County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Ohio County Court House (a few steps from this marker); The Ohio County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio County Veteran's Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Historic Rising Sun (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cows and Plows (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rising Sun.

Regarding Defiance of the Black Codes / Barkshire v. State. Barkshire was born into slavery in Kentucky, and freed in Rising Sun by his second enslavers in 1848. He was a known conductor on the Underground Railway in Rising Sun. After he and his wife lost their Indiana court case, they moved to Portsmouth, Ohio. Barkshire enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops in January, 1864, but died of disease just five month later in Petersburg, Virginia.

Also see . . . Arthur Barkshire: The Black Man Convicted for Bringing His Wife into Indiana in 1854

<i>Barkshire v. State</i> side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

2. Barkshire v. State side of marker

. Talk Africana website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional keywords. Defiance of the Black Codes / Barkshire v. State

Defiance of the Black Codes / <i>Barkshire v. State</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

3. Defiance of the Black Codes / Barkshire v. State Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.