excerpt from SOFAFEA newsletter - Saundra Russ Cropps, WCGS Diversity Officer and member of the South Atlantic Region of  Society of the First African Families of English America , presented at the  Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society-Triangle Chapter  on February 7. She shared the story of her Forgotten Patriot ancestor  Private Jesse Harris  and the  Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church  (from the original project collaboration with the Wake County Historical Society and Wake County Genealogical Society). Russ Cropps shared the story of her ancestor Private Jesse Harris (1762-1844), a free Black man who served for 18 months in the 10th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army after being hired by a "class of men" to fulfill their service obligation. Saundra Russ Cropps Black History Month is a fitting time to share both presentations from our Shiloh History Celebration in October 2025.   View both slide...

Editing to add more photos - 11/2/25 Despite much competition in the way of scheduled events for the day, we had a great turn out for the Shiloh Celebration on October 18. The audience was interested and engaged in the history of the Shiloh Community founded in the late 1820's by Free People of Color. They were equally excited to learn of the Free Black Patriot, Jesse Harris that many in the community can claim as kin. The weather was beautiful. It was an all round perfect day. Here are some photos of the day. Click image to view larger. Photos by Belle Long of Wake County Historical Society and Barbara McGeachy of Wake County Genealogical Society. Photo Details clockwise from upper left - Our audience awaits; Belle Long of Wake County Historical Society opens; Lynette Barber and Will Ellis provide beautiful music; Mills Cemetery presentation by Saundra Russ Cropps; Jermaine Pulliam - Deputy Grand Master of Prince Hall, dist.19 presides over the wreath ceremony at Rev. James H. Dun...

 I am excited to share this event with you. I have been researching and writing about Shiloh Community for several years now. A couple of years ago, a suggestion was made to turn all the history into a presentation. It has finally come to fruition and this has been a pet project for I and my fellow WCGS members - Saundra Cropps and Lynne Deese.   - Cyndi Deal We hope you will join us so you can learn exactly what a brush arbor is, who held the title of "Father of Scientific Farming," and just what an enduring and special community Shiloh really is.  Celebrating Shiloh Community  Saturday, October 18, 11 am to 1 pm at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Address: 1004 Church Street, Morrisville, NC 27560 The History of the Shiloh Community Explore the history of this community of free people of color, which was formed by 1830 and is located in the present-day town of Morrisville, NC. We will learn about the history of the community, of the church, of Jesse Harris, a...

  **Be sure to see the latest update at the end of post. Reprint from the Winter 2024 Wake Genealogy Watch Newsletter -  Contributing – Saundra Cropps          Shiloh Community in Cedar Forks township started in 1830 as a rural community of free people of color.  This community is home to over 57 farmers on property extending from the Durham County line to south of McCrimmon Parkway.  It was annexed into the town of Morrisville, NC in 1987 (although it predates Morrisville by almost 200 years). It is important to note that the remaining farmers in Shiloh community today are the living descendants of those original freemen who settled this part of Wake county from the 1830 and on through the years after Emancipation.   WCGS member and Diversity officer Saundra Cropps has deep roots in the Shiloh Community as you will come to read. The community and many of its members, including Saundra's great grandfather, Jesse Harris and other anc...