An historic play, written and directed by Lois DiGiacomo, was performed May 27, 2011 at the the Fairways of North Canton Golf Course at Arrowhead clubhouse to celebrate the life of Jacob Gaskins. Gaskins was an African American slave and the golf course occupies land he once owned. The buffet dinner theater production was presented by the North Canton Heritage Society in collaboration with Rainbow Repertory Company with a grant from the North Canton Target store.
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The Jacob Gaskins Underground Railroad Marker was dedicated on February 12, 2005 in North Canton, Ohio. The marker is located on The Fairways of North Canton Golf Course (1500 Roadwin Circle South West) which was once the property of Jacob Gaskins.
Excerpts taken from an article printed in the Canton Repository, Sunday, September 21, 2003 with permission from the author, Michael Miller. He is the current Director of Administration for the City of North Canton and has been an active researcher and advocator for public recognition of Jacob Gaskins.
“Gaskins was an African American, born a slave in 1792 in Winchester, VA. At some point after his birth, his “master” died and freed all his slaves – all his slaves over the age of 21. This was no small number, as he owned 999 slaves when he died. Jacob Gaskins, however, continued to be a slave. His second “master” admired Gaskins for his “industry and honesty,” so Gaskins continued to work with him after he was freed and shared in the profits.
Gaskins moved to Stark County in 1817. By the time the 1820 census was taken, his family was one of five “free colored” families living in Stark County, accounting for a total of 23 African Americans in Stark County at that time. There were approximately 1,200 persons in Stark County in 1820.
Being an African American in 1820 wasn’t easy. While Ohio didn’t have slavery, it certainly did not welcome African Americans with open arms. The initial Ohio Constitution denied them the right to vote and hold public office. Many other laws were passed immediately after the passage of the Ohio Constitution to further restrict African Americans. They were prohibited from attending public schools and serving on juries. An even bigger impediment was African Americans had to put up a $500 bond to live in Ohio.
The thinking of the time was that the bond would ensure that African Americans didn’t become a burden on the county or state. Curiously, the state subsequently prohibited African Americans from being admitted to state poorhouses or other institutions, so it is hard to imagine the need for the bond. Jacob Gaskins worked hard.
To quote Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County Ohio, Volume I (1904): “Without any capital except the natural endowment of industry and economy, he accumulated a large property.” It is further stated in History of Stark County (1981): ” He was a man respected by all who knew him, for his honesty and industry.” His wife attended church in Kendall, now a part of Massillon. He was a fixture at barn raisings. He was able to carry logs and beams it took four other men to carry. In corn-husking contests, he was always the winner.
While acquiring and working his land under the aforementioned handicaps imposed by the state, he also managed to be a station on the Underground Railroad, helping escaping slaves find their freedom.
It’s hard to imagine the fortitude it would take for an African American at that time to be directly involved in transporting and harboring escaping slaves. At the time of his death in 1873, Jacob Gaskins owned 375 acres of land in Stark County, including his homestead and farm which became Arrowhead (now the Fairways) Country Club.” He was the first African American to vote in Plain Township.
Contact Lois DiGiacomo about writing an Historic Play for your school or organization:
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