Wiley M. Pope
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
In early June, 1860, Colonel Wiley M. Pope approached Judge Chadwick for a “Deed of Emancipation” for himself, his wife, and his children. Pope and his family had just fled Mississippi. He had acquired a significant amount of debt, and because his wife was formerly enslaved and their thirteen children were biracial, under Mississippi laws, they could be sold to recover Pope’s debt. Pope and his brood were one of the first five families to settle in the town of Quindaro, and the entire community rose together to protect them until emancipation was signed. This was the first emancipation in the State of Kansas.
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M. Pope's Obituary
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Colonel Wiley M. Pope was born to wealthy parents in Charleston, South Carolina. He inherited a large estate and was one of the wealthiest planters of the state until financial misfortune struck. He moved to Mississippi and recovered some of his funds, but when cotton production stalled, he moved yet again to Texas. His financial issues followed him, and he was pursued by creditors. Still subject to Mississippi law, Wiley’s family could be sold off to pay for his debts. He fled Texas and headed straight to Kansas, where he was advised to meet with a Judge Chadwick that would provide him counsel The Judge, along with his associates, drafted the emancipation and advised the family to hide until it was finalized and signed. On June 26, 1860, the first emancipation of Kansas was signed and delivered to the Pope family.
Sources
A Rare Old Legal Document, Newspapers.com. Accessed June 8th 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25017998/org-clip-of-wiley-pope/s.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25514560/wiley-pope/