Black history runs deep in Cortland County This image shows Samuel Ringgold Ward, who was a pastor in Cortland from 1846 to 1851. The story of Black history in the greater Cortland area is a conflict of progressive ideals against human realities. A Black pastor led an all-white church, but faced racism. An interracial and coeducational school had a professor and former student run out of town because of their interracial relationship. The 20th Century would see greater respect for Black people in Cortland, as the likes of Black Olympians, singers and political activists would all make appearances in the city. Here are some of the stories of how Black people brought their influence to Cortland County.