NSR: ex slave, Wheeling Gaunt in Y.S.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stopped here this morning for pics. Mr Gaunt's likeness faces those entering the village of Yellow Springs from the north.


“It is not what we have but what we share.”
The words of 19th century Yellow Springs resident Wheeling Gaunt, a formerly enslaved man who bought his freedom, have inspired generations of villagers.

Gaunt’s generosity also perseveres in a 126-year-old tradition of the delivery of flour to local widows and widowers at the holidays — a stipulation in Gaunt’s will when he bequeathed the land that is now Gaunt Park to the Village.

A philanthropist in life and death, Gaunt bequeathed nine acres to the Village. Rent from use of the land was to pay for an annual delivery of 25 pounds of flour to “worthy” local widows, “regardless of race,” for Christmas, a tradition that the Village has continued even after the land became a park, and amended slightly. Now, widowers are also included, while the distribution has been changed to 5 lbs. each of flour and sugar.

Pretty cool tradition.



Stig

[Neil955i]

Nice photos and a great story Stig. Thanks.

[CROSSBOLT]

I have been to and through Ohio several times in my life and saw little of interest. You have given incentive to go back for reasons other than 5he aviation museum at Wright-Pat....

[Mancashire]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.