James Harlin Newby

"Spirit of Freedom" Memorial

Company 1, 3^rd Regiment
United States Colored Troops
United States Colored Troops
Date of Birth: September 11, 1843
Occupation : Teamster

James Harlin Newby was mustered in the United States Colored Troops on July 21, 1863 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Sergeant of Company 1, 3^rd Regiment where he served for 3 years under Lt. Col. Wagner. His regiment participated in the siege of Fort Wagner and Gregg, Morris Island, South, captured forts in and around Charleston. The 3^rd Regiment served as Heavy Artillery unit until May, 1865.

James Harlin & Eliza Rann Newby

Our soldier's story shares a common bond to the stories of two hundred thousand other colored soldiers of the Civil War; that common bond is injustice. Like the other young men of color he wanted freedom for his people and was willing to die for it.

James Newby was a young teamster when he joined. He was from a family of free parents who had their Certificate of Freedom papers and which were filed Orange County Indiana. Hs parents owned land which they farmed. In spite of their documented freedom, they faced the same injustices.

In September, 1862 James Newby's parents, Solomon and Margaret Newby sold their 79 acres in Orange County, Indiana, left for Canada, where they became one of the founding families of the Elgin Settlement, North Buxton, Ontario, Canada. The following year James Newby enlisted in the Civil War.

From this settlement in North Buxton, Ontario, Canada, 28 sons from other families left to serve in the Civil War, some of which are also relatives of the Newby family. James Newby returned to the settlement shortly after his discharge at Jacksonville Florida. He later married Eliza Rann where they had six children and lived in North Buxton until their deaths.

James Newby lived the majority of his life suffering from injuries and poor, untreated eye sight which was a result of the Civil War. He died June 6, 1928; his wife died a few years later, February 22, 1932. They are buried in North Buxton, Canada.
Sharon Yates Ogunfiditimi, Great-grand-daughter

Copy of certificate presented to the   descendants.

EYE WITNESS TO HISTORY

After 130 years, history was made last month in Washington D.C. Its not what you may think! In the US capital the Black Civil War Memorial was unveiled. it will serve as a tribute to African-American soldiers and sailors that served in the Union Forces during the Civil War. Why does this have more than academic interest for us here in Windsor? The answer is simple. Mildred Talbot, one of our longstanding members is a descendant of one of those soldiers, and as such had the privilege of going to Washington for this special celebration. Today there are over 2000 traceable descendants of those military men.

It was Mildred's Grandfather, James Newby who served in the Union army. He was born in 1843 in Orange County, Indiana. On 13' Feb 1865 he was mustered into service in Company G, 28' Regiment, US Coloured Troops from Indiana. Owing to an injury he received, his army career was cut short. He came out of the army on 8' Nov 1865. He came to live in North Buxton where he married Eliza Rann and raised 6 children. He died in 1928 and is buried in Buxton.

This "Spirit of Freedom" Memorial has been talked about by many people, including Colin Powell. It stands today to remember the 178,000 African-American men who fought for the Union, along with their 7000 white officers. Each is named on the wall of remembrance. It was sculptured by Ed Hamilton of Louisville, Kentucky. It cost $1.6 million which came through private donations. It is the first official national monument to US coloured troops.

The ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The celebration took place July 15-18. It began with all the descendants of Civil War military personnel introducing themselves, which Mildred readily did. This was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. On July 16' there was a colourful Memorial Service at Arlington National Cemetery. It was after this that a TV news reporter came by looking for Mildred's cousin. He started talking with her and she ended up on TV channel 10 here in Windsor. She was able to give information about the family and also the museum in North Buxton. The memorial service was filled with music and much military pageantry. (It was 95 ^o F).

The courage and commitment of those men provide us with vision, hope and pride for the future. Thank God history was made and is still being made.

Mildred, we are so glad that you were able to go.

Article taken from the Ontario Chapel News
Supplied by Mildred (Newby) Talbot