Along McIntyre Road

A small rural village in Eastern Ohio called McIntyre is bursting with rich history and culture. Mary Ann (Cooper) Smith was born and raised in this unique African American community, and her heart dwells there too. Originally established by nine freed slave families, a thriving settlement grew in population to hundreds of people. McIntyre now stands with under ten residents. As a descendant of the Cooper Family, one of the original nine families, Mary Ann hopes to change that. Along McIntyre Road plunges readers into Mary Ann's story, traveling into the recent and distant past to examine the birth, growth, and erosion of the once-busy village of McIntyre. This 200-year-old community, established by freed slaves on land acreage in Ohio and bequeathed to them by their former Virginia plantation master, now serves as the home for Mary Ann and her family. Throughout the years, Mary Ann illustrates the beautifully changing landscape and atmosphere of McIntyre to accurately capture the essence of this dynamic community. Along with the history of the town, readers will also peer into the mind of Mary Ann, understanding the relationships she has formed, the troubles she has faced, and her unwavering faith in God Almighty. Each memory is woven together to create a vivid picture of Mary Ann's life and experiences as a passionate McIntyre resident. Mary Ann came to write this book to illuminate the historical perspective behind her upbringing in a town with an interesting Civil War past. She hopes to highlight the significance of her town and others that have been forgotten through the years so readers understand that it is essential to remember these areas that helped form our society today. With this in mind, Mary Ann desires to revitalize this community into vibrant homes for those who will celebrate and appreciate this hidden gem. Read more