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  This cemetery is an important historical monument to racism in the Oregon Territory and the early state. The original cemetery was deeded by Reuben (Robert) and Mary Jane Holmes Shipley, black former slave who farmed there, on the condition that anyone of any race could be buried there. Along with four of their children, they are buried in Lot 10.
  
  There's considerably more to this story, however. Reuben Shipley successfully sued for custody of his children (three were already sold down the river in the South) against the man who had owned him and brought his family to Oregon as slaves.
  
  For anyone interested, there's an excellent book that chronicles this slice of American history. It's "Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory" by R. Gregory Nokes, published by Oregon State University Press.
  
  Disclosure: Scattered throughout the cemetery are at least 40 of my ancestors.
  

  Added November 11, 2016 by Dennis Stovall