PEKIN, Ill. – A memorial will soon go up in Pekin to help remind residents of a role the city had helping to free slaves, and one in particular.
The Pekin City Council recently approved money to turn a yellow wall on Court Street into one with historical markers honoring Nancy Legins-Costley, and her son William.
A young Abraham Lincoln helped free Legins-Costley from slavery — the first person Lincoln helped.
“When they walk past, they will see the plaque on the sidewalk, so it captures their attention,” said John Ackerman, Tazewell County Clerk, to 25 News. “When they come around, they’ll be able to see the bronze markers and read more historical context of what role these two played in our community.”
Aas a lawyer, Lincoln fought for Legins-Costley to be free in front of the Illinois Supreme Court.
“It doesn’t erase what’s happened in the past, but we also don’t want to forget what’s happened in the past,” said Becky Cloyd, Mayor Pro Tempore, to 25 News. “I look at this as an opportunity for us to show that we have moved beyond that and we do care about our history and our citizens and the people who made Pekin what it is today.”
William Costley was a union soldier, and later was present at the first Juneteenth.
It’s anticipated that the memorial will be complete by this year’s Juneteenth.
