I learned that several Blacks from this area gained prominence, including a worldrenowned singer, William Cheeks. But even more important were the scores of individuals who raised families and tended their homes in a political and social climate which , although not entirely free of prejudice, brought about a considerable measure of success and respectability. The Livermore farm might not ordinarily generate any special interest, except for a brief period of its history when people of another race tilled its fields. My father discovered their burial place during one of his many walks into the woods satisfying his love of nature and the outdoors. But it was his love of history and his natural curiosity that made him realize that a black burial ground in the middle of a state woods had significance. The path that he hoped to follow to solve the mystery of their presence was cut short, but I was able to continue his journey, and it has led to the discovery of a unique and diverse Afro American heritage, part of which lies hidden in the hills and valleys of Tioga County.
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