User:Adjoajo/timbuc

Timbuctoo was a farming colony of African Americans in the town of North Elba near present day Lake Placit in the Adirondack mountains in Upstate New York. It was located near where Lake Placid is today. African Americans also settled in the region areas known as Negro Brook near Bloomingdale and Blackville near Loon Lake. These were farmer settlers and loggers. In 1840s New York State enacted a law that required black men to own property worth at least $250 in order to be able to vote. This restriction did not apply to white men. Because of this law Gerrit Smith a wealthy abolitionist and land speculator gave away 120,000 acres of land to black people in 40 acre lots. It was set up to create rural land ownership and self-sufficiency for black people, and as an alternative to urban city life. It was also in response to the influx of Irish and white immigrants competing for urban employment.