Reuben Shipley Historical Marker Fundraiser

The purpose of this fundraiser is to provide an opportunity for everyone that is interested in contributing funds to establish a Shipley Historical Marker along the Hunsaker Bike & Pedestrian Trail in Philomath, Oregon. Funds generated from this effort will be combined with those collected by the Corvallis/Albany NAACP along with the Ba'hai Faith of Corvallis/Benton County who are also community partners focused on bring together the community to make this historic marker a reality. Everyone who wishes to contribute and participate in this great historical remembrance are welcome to do so. $8,000 total is need to create and install the marker. $700 has been collected so far. It's up to all of us to come up with the rest. Together I am confident we can do it.

 

In 1853, Reuben Shipley, a Black slave and overseer of a large plantation in Missouri, agreed to drive a team of oxen to Oregon with the Robert Shipley family, in exchange for his freedom. After arriving in Benton County, Oregon, Reuben worked on the farm of Eldrige Hartless, a neighboring pioneer of the Plymouth community, who was part Black. Reuben saved $1,500 and bought 80 acres adjoining the Shipley's farm. Reuben married Mary Janes Holmes, a slave of Col. Nathaniel Ford, who brought his family and slaves to Oregon in 1844, and purchased the settlement of Rickreall. Slaves were not legal in Oregon and court cases are recorded about this family. Reuben purchased Mary Jane's freedom for $700. This is believed to be the first case of a slave being sold in Oregon as property.

 

In 1861, Reuben Shipley donated 2 acres of his farm for the establishment of the cemetery on the condition that Black people could be buried there. The name given to the cemetery was chosen to show unity with the anti-slavery Northern forces during the Civil War. The video attached with this GoFund Me shows aerial shots of this cemetery and a special wreath placement ceremony that honored the Shipley Family back in May 2021.

 

Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. Since 1993, our organization has illuminated the seldom-told history of people of African descent in Oregon. They are tremendous advocates for Philomath to erect the Shipley Family historical marker.

 

 

Reuben Shipley died on September 25th, 1872. Our community goal could be to erect the marker on September 25th, 2022 which would mark 150 years since his death (Sesquicentennial).

 

Thank you for your consideration of support of the Shipley Historical Marker.

 

Pictured below is Mary Jane Holmes Shipley Drake - Wife of Reuben Shipley

 

 

Below is the headstone of Mary Jane Holmes Drake and four of the Shipley children. It is believed that Reuben Shipley is buried here with his family.

 

The concept is to create a historical market similar to the one that currently sits in front of the old Philomath College Building that now serves as the Benton County History Museum.  See pictures below for an idea of this existing marker. 



Pictures of the approved location for the Shipley Memorial Marker are below:


The idea would be that since it is right off the Husaker footpath and bikepath that people use regularly, this would be a great spot to share this incredible story with people along their journey to or fro.

For a more detailed write-up of the Shipley Family History please refer to the story republished last week by Brad Fuqua editor of the Philomath News in Sept 2021.  It is an amazing story we must preserve for future generations.  Thank you for considering helping us.

https://philomathnews.com/mount-union-stories-reuben-shipley-1811-1872/