A Stranger and a Sojourner: Peter Caulder, Free Black Frontiersman in Antebellum Arkansas

by Billy D. Higgins

A Stranger and a Peter Caulder, Free Black Frontiersman in Antebellum Arkansas tells the extraordinary story of Peter Caulder, a free African American settler in the Arkansas Territory. After serving as a rifleman in the war of 1812, Caulder established a community of free-born African Americans in northern Arkansas and was largely accepted by his white neighbors until an 1859 expulsion law forced the community to flee the state and settle in Missouri. Like many frontier people, Peter Caulder was unschooled and signed his name only with a mark. To document such a man’s life, and to determine how he thrived within a slave society and came to join a free black backwoods community, Billy Higgins has skillfully interwoven oft-neglected primary sources―many of which are reproduced here―from around the country; and through the information revealed in censuses, tax records, sutler’s account books, army returns, folk stories, land warrants, traveler’s journals, and newspaper notices, a fascinating―and groundbreaking―account of Caulder, his family, his friends, and his community has emerged.

370 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Theshiney · Rating 3 out of 5]

a peek into the rough and changing culture of early 19th century america told through the lens of an inspiring and seemingly restless pioneer (did you know that was originally a military term for the fellows who set up camp during a campaign? peter caulder was literally a pioneer in both facets...) and his extended family. their knowledge, determination and grit always seem to put them in moments of historical significance- in unfortunate ways sometimes. it is wonderfully researched, smoothly told, and the authors take on the 'larger' ideas within are surprisingly lucid and fresh.