The Marlin Memorial: Honoring the Arrival

Commemorating the 1867 Arrival of 435 Freed People from Kingstree, South Carolina to Marlin, Texas

In 1867, two years after emancipation, 435 formerly enslaved men, women, and children traveled from Kingstree, South Carolina to Marlin, Texas in search of freedom, safety, and opportunity. They laid the foundation for generations now living in Falls County and beyond.

Today, their descendants honor them.

But Marlin has no permanent memorial that speaks their names, preserves their story, or acknowledges their courage.

We are changing that.

Why This Memorial Matters

The Marlin Memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the individuals who reshaped this community through perseverance and hope. This project will:

• Preserve the story of a historic freedom migration

• Honor families whose lives were erased from formal records

• Educate the public through historical interpretation

• Provide a place for reflection, pride, and healing

• Restore dignity through remembrance

This memorial ensures these lives are never forgotten again.

What Your Support Makes Possible

All funds raised will directly support:

✅ Memorial design and engraving

✅ Historical research and documentation

✅ Stone fabrication and installation

✅ Community dedication and outreach

✅ Educational materials and digital preservation

Every dollar brings us closer to placing their story where it belongs — in public memory.

Who We Are

This project is led by Black Pearls of Genealogy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving African American history through memorials, education, and research. Our work honors:

• Enslaved and Free Black communities

• Native American heritage

• Chinese American history

• Military service and civil contributions

• Untold local histories nationwide

Each memorial is guided by scholarship and community partnership.

How You Can Help

Donate

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Leave a note in honor of an ancestor

Support historical restoration

Together, we can give voice to the forgotten.

Donate Today

Help us raise a memorial that honors courage, remembers families, and tells a story that must never be lost.

Learn more about the project: https://thebpog.org/marlin-tx-memorial-project/