----- Original Message ----- 
From: Norm & Stef Stevens 
To: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State history. 
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 11:55 AM
Subject: Seneca County


Dear friends in N.Y.
  I live in Hunterdon County N.J.. As Historian for that County I have been interested in the  free black population of Seneca Co, N.Y. due to the emigration of several free black families who moved to Seneca Co. in the early 19th century- some as early as 1810. Since Hunterdon Co. was and still is mainly a farming county, why would these families migrate to Seneca? Was your soil of excellent quality? Were mulattos/blacks welcomed for some reason? Was land cheap? 
I would appreciate  any information available.
Thank you for your time
Stephanie Stevens