As I continue to process some of the large amount of data from my recent visit to Owen Sound, one conversation that still stands out is with Lesa Walker. She is a descendant of Soloman Levi and Sarah Earll. During our conversation, Lesa talked about the journey she has taken documenting her family’s history, including this amazing Earll family photo that serves as the cover for the book. In the video clip below Lesa shares more on the book.
In a follow up message I received from Lesa writes about growing up attending the Emancipation festival as a child and what she loved about it. In addition, she shared two family photos, one from 1976 and a re-created image from 2022.
“Thank you so much for coming to Owen Sound. It was truly an honor to meet you. Your walk in tribute to our freedom seekers was deeply moving, and I’m grateful for your dedication. I know my ancestors heard your footsteps. 😊 I’ve always loved the Emancipation Festival, but I wish you could have experienced it in its earlier days—when it felt more like a family picnic. We played baseball, had sack races, water balloon fights ate bbq, potatoe salad and the best watermelon and then we gathered around to hear our elders share stories. That was the heart of it all—their spirit was alive in every laugh, every game, and every story passed down. Your journey reminds me of the scripture, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). So many escaped slaves had to trust in a future they couldn’t see, guided only by hope and courage. Your walk honors that faith, and I thank you for helping us remember. I’ve an attached a picture taken at the Emancipation in 1976 of my cousins (one of them is Pam Houston) and a re-take 46 years later in 2022.
Soloman Levi and Sarah Earll Family
