Interpreters for 7 Characters in Place

Visitors to Trial & Tribulations will start the program by meeting seven of the key characters in the Matson Slave Trial story at two historic sites in Oakland. The characters will be portraying Dr. Hiram Rutherford, Gideon "Matt" Ashmore, Mary Corbin, Jane and Anthony Bryant, Lucy Dupee, and Abraham Lincoln from a fictitious time in the 1870s as they look back to the events of 1847. Participants can converse and ask questions with the characters as they move through the grounds of Dr. Rutherford's home, now a historic site, and Independence Pioneer Village. By having these interpreters hail from the future (even though some had died in real life by that period), they can talk about the aftermath of the trial and look back at the events with some historical perspective.

We are happy to announce that Roger Ashmore has agreed to portray his own ancestor, Matt Ashmore. Kim McGee will create the character of Dr. Rutherford. Freetown Village, a living history program from Indianapolis will bring to life the Bryants and Lucy Dupee. Lincoln and Corbin are yet to be finalized, but we'll let you know soon who will portray them.

Trial & Tribulations Project:The Story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial

Trial & Tribulations is a historical program scheduled for Sept 18 and 19, 2009 in Oakland, Illinois that will tell the story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial in which Abraham Lincoln represented the master enslaver and that resulted in the freeing of the Bryant family. The program is presented by Independence Pioneer Village, Oakland Historical Foundation, and Oakland Landmarks, Inc.

It is a story of bittersweet daring and historical mystery, involving one of the most divisive issues of our country’s early history, slavery. It reveals hidden parts of our local history, affirms our faith in our legal system, raises questions about our moral bearing and actions, and reflects how we remember or mythologize our heroes.

The Matson Slave Trial is:

• one of the top five trials in Coles County,
• one of the ten most important cases in which Abraham Lincoln participated, and
  
• a turning point for the local free black community at Brushy Fork.
  

Participants will:

• Meet the people involved,
• Watch a performance about the trial,
• Enjoy an 1847 meal, and
• Challenge your preconceived notions of history.

Those wanting more information may contact the project at 217-508-9113 or through e-mail at trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more information.