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Ray and Liz Thompson were married for 61 years. Ray passed away in 2009. (Photo courtesy of Jim Cunningham, Jr.

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There are no slaves in my family tree, but Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Young Thompson has a far different story. Yet, she laughs and enjoys life, as if that depth of evil had never touched her or her family. Liz’s mom was the 6th of 20 kids! Liz’s grandpa was a runaway slave from Virginia. Her great-grandpa was also a runaway slave. He escaped with his wife, three kids (all slaves) and his blacksmithing equipment from Alabama to Illinois, avoiding capture and a return to slavery. Liz’s grandma was his fourth child of nine, and the first freeborn in their family.

By Jim Cunningham, Jr., Special to The Villager May 30, 2017
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