The first free black settler in the city arrived in 1854, the year the city was incorporated.
The black settlers of Allensworth built homes, laid out streets, and put up public buildings.
The farmers were arrested this month after they clashed with black settlers illegally occupying their land.
His government advertised the opportunities in newspapers: "promising free land and political opportunity to black settlers."
To the chagrin of the philanthropists, some settlers, both white and black, joined in the slave trade.
There were many black towns that thrived in the early 20th century because of black settlers moving from neighboring states, especially Kansas.
It came about when black settlers of Johannesburg were being evicted.
Nicodemus was home to some 600 black settlers, mostly former slaves from Kentucky.
"Yes, the land was lousy, but the black settlers were here, and people should know about their contributions."
In return, Britain agreed to help finance the purchase of land for black settlers.