MORRIS TOWNSHIP — Morris Township will hold a historical marker dedication honoring the Snowden Family Band on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Morris Chapel Cemetery.
The cemetery is located at 15375 Hyatt Road, east of Old Mansfield Road.
The Snowden Family Band was an acclaimed African-American string band that performed in and around Knox County for nearly 70 years, from the 1850s into the 1920s.
Thomas Snowden, his wife Ellen, and their nine children are buried in Morris Chapel Cemetery.
Born into slavery in Maryland, Thomas and Ellen separately relocated to Knox County and to freedom during the 1820s. They married in 1834. In the 1850s, the six surviving children formed a band under Ellen’s direction.
Talented musicians, the Snowden Family performed banjo and fiddle music for public events and at their homestead near Mount Vernon.
Many believe the song “Dixie,” attributed to minstrel Daniel Decatur Emmett, originated with the Snowden Family Band.
Special guests include Jeff Ward of the Ohio History Connection and Howard and Judith Sacks of Gambier. The Sacks co-authored “Way up North in Dixie.”
Snowden family descendants also plan to attend. A string quintet will play selections from the Snowden collection of music.
The event is open to the public. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
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