The Tour of Due plaque, one of NH's first Black Heritage Trail markers, explores hidden local history in Hancock

The Tour of Due plaque, one of NH's first Black Heritage Trail markers, explores hidden local history in Hancock At the top of the hill at the Welch Family Farm and Forest in Hancock, a boulder bears two plaques on either side: One describes the history of the Welch family, who lived on the property between 1862 and 2000. The other tells the lesser-known story of the Due family, who first owned the property two and a half centuries ago. 'It's like a complete embodiment of American history. One sign tells it one way and highlights the story of the white owners of the farm, and the other side tells the story another way and highlights the first owners of the farm, who were black and free,' said JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. On September 12, the Black Heritage Trail and the Harris Center will conduct their annual tour of the Due family memorial plaque, recounting the family's life approximately 250 years ago. The Due family can be traced back to the founding of Hancock in 1779 and lived in the town until the 1850s. James and Hannah Due were landowners, and early U.S. census records list the family as 'free colored persons.' Her daughter Betsey Due lived near her estate throughout her adult life and resisted the Hancock Church of Christ when the family was targeted for adultery and deception. This year the tour includes a visit to the former Due family homestead and the place where Betsey Due lived until the late 1850s. The Black Heritage Trail continues its partnership with Eric Aldrich, senior writer and content manager at The Nature Conservancy. Dave Anderson of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests will not only learn about the history of the Due family in Hancock and their opposition to the Church of Christ, but also talk about the abandonment of these farms in the Granite State. 'It's an opportunity to also incorporate the conservation aspect and learn more about the land where the story took place,' said Dariya Steele, program assistant with the Black Heritage Trail. With approximately 35 historical markers across the state, Hancock was the first city to receive an official Black Heritage Trail plaque. Boggis said this site is special not only because it is one of the first, but also because hikers can wander there and learn about this forgotten history. 'It completely changes your perception of the space you're in. It makes you question, wonder and question,' Boggis said. 'By populating and populating these spaces with Black stories, we are changing our perception of what New Hampshire is, was and could be.' If you would like to take part in the bus tour and the short hike, you can register online for free: https://blackheritagetrainh.wufoo.com/forms/zgz49ge044tfra/