Millsburg, Liberia

Township in Montserrado County, Liberia
6°28′26.4″N 10°40′44.4″W / 6.474000°N 10.679000°W / 6.474000; -10.679000Country LiberiaCountyMontserrado CountySettled1828

Millsburg is a township in Liberia. It is in Montserrado County.[1][2]

History

In early 1828, the Millsburg settlement was established in an agreement between Colonial Agent Jehudi Ashmun and Dei chiefs. In February 1828, Millsburg was settled by a small trading company of Americo-Liberian emigrants.[3][4] It was established on the north bank of the St. Paul River.[5] Millsburg is named for Samuel John Mills and Ebenezer Burgess, two agents of the American Colonization Society (ACS) who in 1818 made a reported on the British colony of Sierra Leone and its viability as a colony for African-American emigrants.[6] Following Millsburg's founding, other settlements were made on both banks of the river.[4]

In 1835, Mississippi Colonization Society sponsored its first group of African-American emigrants to Liberia, with most of the 71 people settling in Millsburg.[7] In the 1839 constitution of Liberia, Millsburg is mentioned as one of the settlements comprising the Commonwealth of Liberia. In 1839, the Gola chief Gatumba attacked Dei people in Millsburg.[8]

In the 1847 constitutional referendum preceding Liberia's independence, 21 voters in Millsburg voted in favor of the constitution, with none voting against it.[9] In a book published in 1850, James W. Lugenbeel described Millsburg as the Liberian settlement furthest from the sea coast.[5] In a 1898 book, William Henry Heard described Millsburg as a commercial center.[10]

Geography

Millsburg is situated on the St. Paul River. It borders Careysburg, Arthington, and Clay-Ashland. Under the 2023 to 2028 electoral map, Millsburg is a part of Montserrado County's 17th House of Representatives district.[11]

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ "Montserrado County Development Agenda" (PDF). Republic of Liberia. 2008. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Tageo Millsburg
  3. ^ Holsoe, Svend E. (1971). "A Study of Relations between Settlers and Indigenous Peoples in Western Liberia, 1821-1847". African Historical Studies. 4 (2): 354. doi:10.2307/216421. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Shick, Tom W. (1980). Behold the Promised Land: A History of Afro-American Settler Society in Nineteenth-century Liberia. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 74-75. ISBN 9780801823091.
  5. ^ a b Lugenbeel, James W. (1850). Sketches of Liberia Comprising a Brief Account of the Geography, Climate, Productions, and Diseases, of the Republic of Liberia. p. 10.
  6. ^ Maugham, Reginald Charles Fulk (1920). The Republic of Liberia Being a General Description of the Negro Republic, with Its History, Commerce, Agriculture, Flora, Fauna, and Present Methods of Administration. p. 84.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Jo M. (1978). "MISSISSIPPI IN AFRICA: SETTLERS AMONG THE KRU, 1835 - 1847". Liberian Studies Journal. 8 (2): 81. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  8. ^ Richardson, Nathaniel R. (1959). Liberia's Past and Present. Diplomatic Press and Publishing Company. pp. 317–318. ISBN 9780608329321.
  9. ^ Richardson, p. 82
  10. ^ Heard, William Henry (1898). The Bright Side of African Life. p. 26.
  11. ^ "Montserrado County Electoral District 17" (PDF). National Elections Commission. 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. p. 260.