GRAM'S GIFT

Gram's gift tells the story of an African-American family with African, European, and Native American roots that trace to the arrival of European settlers in the 1600s. It is important to Gram that her grandchildren know the contributions their ancestors made to the history of this country. So, she gathers her grandchildren in the living room for a family history lesson. Her lesson begins with Cyrus Bustill, who was born enslaved, purchased his freedom, operated a successful bakery business, and provided bread to George Washington's troops camped at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. After the war, Cyrus Bustill moved his family to Philadelphia, PA, where he became a respected businessman, educator, and leader in the Black community. His children and grandchildren continued Cyrus' legacy of leadership as they were agents in the Underground Railroad and soldiers in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War and advocated fighting for the right to vote for all. Gram's gift to her grandchildren was their family history.