New Garden Historical Commission - Negroes and Slavery

<body text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#0000FF" alink="#FF0000" vlink="#990099" lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" bgcolor="#999999"> <tr> <td><p align="center"><img src="../lyceum/lyceum.jpg" width="200" height="114"></p> </td> <td align="center"> <h1><font color=black>New Garden Historical Commission</font></h1> <p><a href="../index.htm" target="_top"><font color=black>Click here</font></a> <font color=black> to return to the home page and links to other articles</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class=Section1> <div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'> <h1><a name="_Toc189384589">NEGROES AND SLAVERY</a> </h1> </div> <p class=MsoNormal>The role of the Negro is frequently overlooked in local histories and yet in the State of Pennsylvania and in our own New Garden Township the Negro was one of the earliest settlers, too. Negro slavery was introduced in Pennsylvania by the Dutch long before the arrival of William Penn. The Dutch and English in nearby Delaware actively engaged in African slave trade. These unfortunate human beings were taken to the West Indies from Africa to "acclimatize" them before shipping them North, hopefully to avoid some of the cold-weather diseases that attacked them.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Slavery was not big in Pennsylvania when compared to New Jersey, New York and other nearby states, but it did exist. William Penn was a slave owner who became increasingly concerned that slaves receive proper treatment. Generally, they are believed to have been well treated. They often lived in the master's home and worked side-by-side with him, and were decently fed and clothed. However, they could not buy liquor; were denied the right of jury trial; forbidden to go more than ten miles from home without permission; and were not allowed to meet in groups of more than four people. No doubt some were treated cruelly and subjected to poor living conditions and care.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>In 1700, Penn urged the Yearly Meeting of Friends to free slaves. He provided that his own be freed one month after his death. By 1711, the time of New Garden's settlement, Chester Quarterly Meeting expressed dissatisfaction with Friends buying and encouraging the importing of Negroes as slaves. Twenty years later, Friends were cautioned once more against purchasing them, for the practice still persisted. Early efforts to halt slave-trading were made in the State of Pennsylvania but the law was repealed by the Crown since England was profiting heavily from this lucrative business. Human consideration was secondary to commercial consideration. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The "Fugitive Slave Law" passed in 1739 permitted any slaveholder to reclaim a runaway slave no matter where he was found. Not only were escaped slaves liable to be informed upon and returned to bondage, but freed Negroes were in danger of being kidnapped and returned to slavery. Certificates were issued by Justices of the Peace, often based only on statements of the kidnappers. When a Negro was arrested, he was brought before the Justice, heard the evidence against himself, and had to present any such proof to the contrary as he could which was pretty difficult, either for a slave or a freed man to do.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Finally, through the efforts of Isaac Jackson of New Garden Friends, a ruling was made in 1777 that holding of slaves was considered sufficient cause for disownment by the Meeting. Jackson, along with Jacob Lindley and Joshua Lamborn, was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery activities. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Chiefly because of activities by the Society of Friends, an act of Assembly was passed in 1780 providing for gradual abolition of slavery. It provided for registration of all persons held as slaves for life or until the age of 31 years, and declared that they would continue to be slaves. All persons born after that date would be free except children of registered slaves. They would be servants until age 28. A later law provided that only children registered within six months after birth would be servants. One slave was reported in New Garden Township, owned by Andrew McIntire. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>In 1779, New Garden Monthly Meeting recorded the case of a Negro slave named Caesar who had been given his freedom some years before "on consideration that he would behave himself industrially and honestly," and if he would pay to his owner or some other safe person the sum of three pounds yearly. A committee investigating at the request of a son of Caesar's former owner learned that Caesar had paid 42 pounds by 1779, and that he had been kept a slave more than ten years after he should have been declared free. He was awarded the 42 pounds, plus five pounds for each additional year he had been enslaved. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>In early records slaves were recorded with but one name. It wasn't until 1780 that, in this whole County which then included Delaware County, eleven were honored with surnames. The early 1800s found a sharp increase in the number of blacks in the Township. It is believed that some from adjoining states gained freedom by agreeing to work for Pennsylvania farmers as indentured laborers. </p> <h2><a name="_Toc189384590">The Underground Railroad</a> </h2> <p class=MsoNormal>People in the town of Columbia, Pennsylvania decided to protect Negroes, and even to help them escape slavery by 1804 because of the kidnapping and shooting of fugitives. This was the beginning of the organized system that was to become known as the "Underground Railroad." Eventually, slave owners posted men at Columbia to arrest every escapee or to furnish information that would lead to their arrest and return. It then became necessary to establish other places along a line to the Eastern States and Canada to aid those who were fleeing. The search for freedom found slaves leaving in great numbers from counties bordering southern Pennsylvania, and even further south. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>A southern route that began in Wilmington was most used, but a middle route that began in Lancaster County assisted many, too. Escaping slaves were unfamiliar with the territory and used the North Star as their guide for they usually travelled at night. Friends of abolition fed and hid them by day and either took them at night to the next "station" or gave them directions for reaching it.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>New Garden Township does not appear on record to have played an important part in the scheme, but considering that it was so active in areas around us and that New Garden Friends Meeting produced some very active abolitionists, our participation may have been greater than is known. The descendents of those first Irish Quakers had the courage and cool heads needed to operate such a system, but only three places are known to have been actual stops. Jacob Lindley's residence, the house built by William Miller near Avondale, was used for many years as a station, even before the Underground Railroad as such was established. The residence of Isaac Jackson which was later owned by Enoch Lewis, and now by the Bonafacino family, was used for many years. Evan Lewis, younger brother of Enoch, lived in Wilmington and was an active abolitionist who sent fugitives from his home to New Garden via his brother. Enoch Lewis did not believe in encouraging slaves to leave their masters, yet never denied asylum to those who reached him. Many were said to have been secreted in the homes of his neighbors. Joshua Lamborn near Toughkenamon provided refuge when called upon. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The Underground Railroad was operated with such secrecy that few facts were revealed until many years after its activities had ceased. By then they had become distorted. The Withers home on Buttonwood Road had a peculiar underground room located near the house which was believed to have been a hiding place. It has been claimed that some runaways hid in the Lyceum House. Another reputed stop was a house once located on the corner of Penn Green and Laurel Woods Roads whose cellar opened into a cave at the Creek's edge. Escapees hid there until nightfall then followed the Creek to the next stop. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>There are many other reports of "slave tunnels" and "slave closets" existing within the large old homes throughout our Township, but only those first three listed were confirmed stations of the Underground Railroad system. </p> <h2><a name="_Toc189384591">After Freedom</a> </h2> <p class=MsoNormal>After obtaining freedom it is likely that many Negroes remained in the area, either working for former masters or for other farmers. Few had been taught trades even though State law and Quakers tradition required this. The Census in 1791 for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> listed no slaves. Eight persons were listed as free and not white, one each and not named, with the families of John Shortlidge, Thomas Allen, Thomas Lamborn, Alen C. Monegall, Dr. John Ross, William Richard, John Tumbleson (Tomlinson), and Joseph Temple. The following were listed with no family connection: </p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Black Purnia (or something similar; writing is illegible) - 1<br> Robert Simpter - 1<br> Joseph Nicholson - 2<br> Joseph Robinson - 3 </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Township tax records for the 1800s list payers as Negro or Colored. By 1865 there were eighteen such listings. The dates beside the names indicate the earliest ones that appeared on tax records or in other recorded information. </p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>David Augustus                                    Levi Hood - 1824<br> Charles Bricin                           <span style='mso-tab-count:1'>            </span>Henry Jones<br> Thomas Brown                                     Thomas Parker<br> Denard Brian - 1851                            Solomon Porter<br> Bond Coneway - 1851                        Charles Robinson <br> Henry Congo                                        Henry Bezee<br> John Durnall - 1852                             James Williams - 1855<br> Isaac Elbert                                          Reuben Wiggins<br> Joseph Gasby                                       Nelson Wiggins - 1851 </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Colored inmates (renters of property) listed were Joseph Barber, Michael Boyer, Charles Lockwood and Charles Ledmon. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>When the 1870 township census was completed, the following names were added:</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Elisha Brown                                        <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Aberdeen</st1:place></st1:City> Ricks<br> Peter Crosby                                        Isaiah Ricks <br> Jacob Maxfield                                     Westley Ricks <br> George Maxfield                                   Nelson Ricks <br> William Maxfield                                   Reuben Ricks, Jr. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>We know nothing of those first people listed in 1791 - not even all of their names. We do know that many were ill-equipped to cope with freedom. Unless they were retained by the family they first served, their search for jobs was often fruitless. Thus, they moved from place to place, or cleared a patch of ground at the edge of a village and just settled there, barely able to exist. Frustrated by lack of money and responsibilities with which they couldn't cope, some resorted to crime in order to survive. One such report from the Justice of Peace records for 1812 reads:</p> <p class=indentquote>"Herman Parker, a black man, had home broken into while away and when he returned was attacked by Reuben Pamsley and wife, Priscilla; Solomon Cosse; Robert Cosse; old Nero Pamsley and wife, Hannah; Bill Wiggins and his wife, Sarah; and Harry Boardley, all black persons." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The case was amicably settled, but in many cases fines and imprisonment as the result of such incidents led to a loss of reputation and it then became even more difficult to find work. In most cases, Quaker farmers in the area did everything reasonably possible to provide employment and to assist the Negro families. When such help was not forthcoming, for whatever reason, families were often divided and children indentured as a way to meet daily needs. Elderly blacks often spent their last years at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Almshouse</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> or Poor House. In general, the early Negro lived in extreme poverty but made every attempt to maintain his dignity and provide sustenance for his family. After a few generations passed, conditions improved as skills were mastered and better emp1oyment became available. Certain names in the very few little bits of available information have seemed to carry a great respect, but for reasons not stated. One was that of David Augustus, or "Davey Gustus" 'as he was frequently called. He may be the same "Davy" who sold fish and produce in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilmington</st1:place></st1:City> and <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kennett Square</st1:address></st1:Street> and who lived at Pemberton. Walter Grayson, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kennett Square</st1:address></st1:Street> historian, writes that an old Negro known as "Davy" was a very important link between <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilmington</st1:place></st1:City> and Kennett on the Underground Railroad. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Edwin Lewis James, a Negro, appears as a recruit during the Civil War, along with Gabriel Boyer who is not listed as black or white. Both draft lists are undated, and are only two of many such lists of recruits that were prepared, but are not available. There may very well have been other Negro recruits. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>When immigrant whites began arriving in this country, and in our locality in large numbers, they often displaced blacks on the employment scene. Frequent disputes arose. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bucktoe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> history reports the death of a white man and injury to others that resulted from a clash between Negroes and Irish of the area. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>A map of 1873 shows that Isaiah Ricks lived near Landenberg at the edge of the section known as <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Laurel</st1:place></st1:City>. Pierce Brown, Annie Hamilton, and Joseph Hazzard, believed to be Negroes, lived nearby. Nelson and Reuben Wiggins lived in Pemberton together with J. Maxfield and David Augustus. Nelson Wiggins was the only Negro listed among the prosperous <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> farmers on that map. Pemberton is at the edge of both <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Kennett and was known as the "Big Woods" by many. It was named after Israel Pemberton, a prominent Philadelphia Quaker landowner of the 1700s. The family of Quilla McGraw lived at the edge of both townships behind <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bucktoe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and Levi Hood lived on the section of <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Bucktoe Road</st1:address></st1:Street> just off <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Newark Road</st1:address></st1:Street>. Denard Brian lived near Kaolin; Joseph Gasby at the corner of <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Saw Mill Road</st1:address></st1:Street> in Landenberg. By the late 1800s taxpayers were not identified as black or white and since many of each bore the same names, the Negro families cannot be identified as such after that time. The church has always been a spiritual and social center for many families and to some their only real comfort. Early slave owners were urged to provide proper religious training for slaves, and Quakers were urged to take them to Meeting. </p> <h2><a name="_Toc189384592"></a><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bucktoe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> </h2> <p class=MsoNormal>Some time prior to 1824, a group of Negro citizens were meeting for worship under the title of "African Union Church of Newgarden." How many years prior is not known. The first church fully owned and controlled by blacks was organized in 1813 in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilmington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Delaware</st1:State></st1:place>, and called the "Union Church of Africans." The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> church was established from that. Other than the few early names recorded, be we have no idea who comprised the congregation, but a piece of property was deeded to Richard Bivens, Levi Hood, Daniel Cook, Ceaser Bush, and John Bush, in Trust for the Congregation of the African Union Church of New Garden on September 4, 1824. About one acre of ground was purchased for $50.00 from Joseph Roman and his wife, Rebecca, and was part of a section that they had purchased from Ezekiel and Ann Reed of Mill Creek Hundred, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New Castle County</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Delaware</st1:State></st1:place>. It had been purchased by them from Jesse Sharp, Esq., High Sheriff of Chester County, who lived nearby. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Roman retained all timber rights for five years and reserved "the right and free use of a passage road or cartway from the new road in through the lot crossing the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Red</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Clay</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Creek</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> at the most easy and fordable part to other lands of his." This particular property was actually located in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kennett</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType>, just over the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> line. The Roman family lived in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType> and the congregation believed then, and for many years thereafter, that their church was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The Rev. Jacob Wiggins led this first congregation for ten years as they met for worship in a log building. He was succeeded by his brother, Nelson. The last minister of this little log church was the Rev. Levi Hood. During his term the congregation grew so large that it was resolved to build a new one. The resolution was forced to fact when a fire destroyed the old log church, and another building of stone was quickly built with the help of many local farmers. Many years later, one who helped build this church c1aimed that it was the largest in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kennett</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, "being considerably larger than Old Kennett Meeting House." It was used until 1908 and was said to have stood where the dead cedar trees now stand in the cemetery. Behind the church stood another small building which was used by women of the congregation as a cookhouse at the time of Quarterly Meetings. Nearby residents believe a parsonage was there, too, but it may be that little cookhouse of which they are thinking. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Early references to church activities in the newspapers refer to it as being at "Timbuctoo," and at time call it <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Buc-Too</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. The name Bucktoe was probably derived from that early title although various other sources have been presented for the name. None seem as logical as the first one proffered. The site is listed today as "Bucktoe Meeting and Cemetery." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The church was incorporated in April 1851, when "a group of citizens under the style or title of 'The Union Church of African Members at Kennett township, in the <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Chester</st1:PlaceName>, and State of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:place></st1:State>' " applied. There was soon dissension and the "Village CJ Record" reported: </p> <p class=indentquote>"A large portion of our court house was occupied last week by a large company of very genteely dressed colored people - more than we have seen together on any recent occasion. Upon inquiry, we found that they were the worshippers at a colored people's Church in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kennett</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Township</st1:PlaceType> who had come to <st1:place w:st="on">West Chester</st1:place> upon cross actions for Assault and Battery Committed while the parties were assembled for the purpose, of worshipping a Higher Power.<span style='font-size:5.0pt;line-height:115%'> </span></p> <p class=indentquote>It appears that the brethren had formerly acted very harmoniously together, and had preached and prayed and read the Gospel like children of one family. But the wolves got in among them, and the flock has been recently rent in twain. New lights have sprung up, who, it was contended, had gone astray from the flock. The new lights finally determined to dispossess the old shepherd who for thirty years had watched over the flock, and get a new one. </p> <p class=indentquote>The meeting continued to be attended by both parties, however, but finally the new lights resolved, and actually executed their resolution to CARRY OUT the old preacher and those who followed him - a conduct considered by the latter as very unworthy of a church congregation. </p> <p class=indentquote>Upon a certain occasion, the old grey headed father of the Church, and some of his faithful followers, found themselves carried out of the Church, and deposited, in the most quiet, genteel and peacable manner consistent with the nature of the case, in the middle of the adjoining high road! Like good be citizens, they made no resistance, but having faith in the justice of their cause, they appealed to the laws of the land for the protection of their rights. </p> <p class=indentquote>The Grand Jury, upon hearing a statement of the case, found a true bill for assault and battery against the offenders. A cross action was instituted by the offenders but IGNORED." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Apparently, the argument between the Trustees remained unsettled, for in 1854, the day after Christmas, the case was heard of James H. Walker, and others vs. Reuben Wiggins, and others. The Plaintiffs, Walker and others, claimed to be trustees of the African Union Church of Kennett. It was stated that a convention had been held at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:City> in 1851 to revise the Discipline, which was done, and that it had been adopted by the majority of the church as their Discipline during the early part of 1852. Walker and others, being in the majority, refused to be governed by the new Discipline. They were tried by the church and disowned. They then organized into a separate church; held an election in the church yard since the house was closed to them; turned out the old trustees and elected themselves in their places. They then brought the action of ejectment against the old trustees on the ground that under the original deed, the property had been transferred for a specific object; and in adopting the new discipline, Wiggins and others had forfeited all right to the property under this original transfer and act of incorporation. They claimed that they, Walker and others, were the true church and entitled to retain possession which they had always held. The case went to jury under the charge of the Court. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The Court charged that Walker and others could not try their right to the church property under this form of action and directed a verdict for Wiggins and others which was accordingly rendered. One result of the new Discipline was a change of name to "The Union American Methodist Episcopal Church." The argument continued into 1865 with no record of further correspondence after that time. We must assume that it was either dropped, or settled peacefully. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The congregation was large and faithful in its attendance and came from Yorklyn, Hockessin, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kennett Square</st1:address></st1:Street>, Avondale, and from all parts of the Township. At one time Harman Hurbinson and John Scarlet (t) put an ad in the newspaper warning members not to cross their property on their way from "<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kennett Square</st1:address></st1:Street> to Timbuctoo" or they would suffer the penalties of law for trespassing. Quarterly Meetings at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bucktoe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> seem to have been joyous times. One newspaper report reads: </p> <p class=indentquote>"There was quite a commotion among the colored population of the southern part of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Chester</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> on Sunday last. It was the Quarterly Meeting at New Garden M. E. Church, or BucToo as it is called. The occasion drew together a large crowd with people coming from every direction - in vehicles and on foot, some starting on the previous evening. The livery stables at <st1:place w:st="on">West Chester</st1:place> were cleaned out." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>It was also reported that a "great many pale faces assembled with them at the same sanctuary." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>The last report found of the old church or its activities was one written in 1900. On March fifth of that year the children of the Union American Methodist Episcopal Sunday School of New Garden gave an entertainment for the benefit of Nelson Wiggins, "a venerable colored man who recently met with an accident." </p> <p class=MsoNormal>In 1904 another property was purchased in Kennett Square Borough and plans made to build a new church more centrally located for the members. Services were held in the house on the property until the new building was completed. Old "Bucktoe Church" was torn down; its stone used in the new foundation; and its cornerstone dated 1813 placed there. The old name was retained, "New Garden U. A. M. E. Church," and the building that was dedicated there on February 28, 1911 has been in continual use at its location on Linden Street. </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Only God knows how many people were buried in the Bucktoe Cemetery, for few written records of burials exist. Of the seven stones remaining there, that of Simeon Maxfield dated 1864 is the oldest. Two are military stones: Corporal William Jackson, Co. D. - 29 Ct. Inf., with no date or age; and Corp'l Wilson Brown, Co. D. - 127 - USCI (?), with no date or age. The records of undertaker Alexander Guthrie show about one hundred people buried there between 1888 and 1920. Most were babies and children.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>These seven toppling stones and the periwinkle patch in the cemetery are all that's left of old Bucktoe Church. </p> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> </div> </body>