Humboldt in Allen County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011

1. Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Marker

Inscription.

Aunt Polly Crosby,
First Mother of the Church,
Poplar Grove Baptist.
Site of her cabin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers • Women.

Location. 37° 48.39′ N, 95° 26.723′ W. Marker is in Humboldt, Kansas, in Allen County. Marker is on Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is between 1st and 2nd Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Humboldt KS 66748, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Block House Recruiting Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Neosho River Log Town (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Humboldt Underground Railroad (about 600 feet away); O'Brien's Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Colonel Irvine (approx. half a mile away); Kate Burnett (approx. half a mile away); Civil War Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); 50th Anniversary of Humboldt (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Humboldt.

Regarding Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site. From "Tracing Trails of Blood on Ice" Ceremony, June 10, 2000.

Life long resident

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and community leader of Humboldt, James Boyd, recounts the story of Aunt Polly Crosslin (later named Crosby) who was one of the earliest black settlers in Humboldt, and who likely came to Indian Territory with her parents who, according to early Humboldt newspaper accounts, had been slaves to Cherokee in Florida. Her first husband, Edward Crosslin, was an interpreter for the Seminoles. They likely came to Kansas during or very soon after the Escape. She was a real pillar of the colored community (black and Indian) in Humboldt during the Civil War, was one of the principal founders of the Poplar Grove Baptist Church (which celebrated its 121st birthday on the day following this ceremony) and was active in the underground railroad activities for which the town was known.

Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Drawing on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011

2. Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Drawing on Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011

3. Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Drawing on Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011

4. Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011

5. Aunt Polly Crosby's Cabin Site Marker

Looking east on Sycamore Street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,144 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 14, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.