Springfield in Washington County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
In Honor of Louis Sansbury
Hometown Hero
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2018
1. In Honor of Louis Sansbury Marker
Inscription.
In Honor of Louis Sansbury. Hometown Hero. Louis Sansbury (1806-1861), a black slave, owned by George Sansbury, was left with keys to Sansbury’s hotel to watch over his business. In 1833, left virtually alone with the sick and dying, Sansbury fed and treated the many cholera sufferers – slaves and free citizens – who had been abandoned. He wrapped the dead in sheets and buried them in graves he dug in the Springfield Cemetery. When Louis Sansbury’s owner died, he was emancipated. A grateful city remembered his courage and compassion helping him to purchase and establish a blacksmith shop at Walnut and Main. His courage and compassion continued when, in 1854, another cholera epidemic struck Springfield and Sansbury once again took care of the sick and dying.
Louis Sansbury (1806-1861), a black slave, owned by George Sansbury, was left with keys to Sansbury’s hotel to watch over his business. In 1833, left virtually alone with the sick and dying, Sansbury fed and treated the many cholera sufferers – slaves and free citizens – who had been abandoned. He wrapped the dead in sheets and buried them in graves he dug in the Springfield Cemetery. When Louis Sansbury’s owner died, he was emancipated. A grateful city remembered his courage and compassion helping him to purchase and establish a blacksmith shop at Walnut and Main. His courage and compassion continued when, in 1854, another cholera epidemic struck Springfield and Sansbury once again took care of the sick and dying.
Location. 37° 41.095′ N, 85° 13.297′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Kentucky, in Washington County. Marker is on East Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springfield KY 40069, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Felix Grundy (1777 - 1840) (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln - Hanks (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial
Also see . . . Sansbury, Louis. (Submitted on August 14, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2018
2. In Honor of Louis Sansbury Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 663 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
