That is why we should write our own history, as in the case of the Christiana Resistance in Pennsylvania. From the documentation I read William Parker, a Free Black, was the leader of this event. However, historians have lifted several of the whites involved to leader status. This is not to take away the importance of all of those involved, but please. There is a book about the Christiana Resistance, with pictures of the whites who participated. Not one black person is featured in that book, yet most of those arrested, and tried were black.

For those who do not know, on September 11, 1851, a community of Free Blacks, and white abolitionist stood up to a Federal Marshall, posse, and a white slave holder, Edward Gorsuch. Acting under the, Fugitive Slave Act, Gorsuch set out from his plantation in Maryland to claim his slaves, who ran away two years earlier. He suspected that a Free Black, Anthony Johnson, had assisted his slaves in escaping. Anthony lived in Maryland, but often traveled to Pennsylvania to visit relatives.

On the fateful day, Gorusch saw his "property", as they headed onto Parkers property. The men also saw Gorsuch, and ran into the Parker House. Parker ran a Safehouse, and the community was strongly opposed to slavery. Gorsuch continued to refer to the escaped slaves as his property, which incensed Parker. After a heated exchange a shot rang out, and Gorusch fell dead, ending the arguement. The Marshall, and possee, realizing they were surrounded by an angry black mob, and several angry whites, ran for the hills.

They returned the next day, and arrested almost every black person in town. Out of the arrest thirty seven were indicted, not for murder, but treason. The blacks were kept in jails in Lancaster, while the whites were sent to Philadelphia. All of the men were acquited of the charges lodged against them, for a lack of evidence.

That situation is ripe for finding people active on the Underground Railroad. William Parker, Benjamin Johnson, Anthony Johnson, and James Jackson were some of those related to me. Henry Green, my Great-Greate Grandfather was one of those tried for treason. He was a cousin to the previoulsy mentioned men. Yet, the only one given credit is William Parker. The entire community were participants in the Underground Railroad. William Parker rang a Cow bell, and the free blacks surrounded Edward Gorsuch, and his small group.

All it takes is to look through the archives, and court records. The town of Christiana is dedicated to the participants in the Christiana Resistance (originally called the Christiana Riot). William Parker House is a monument, and streets are named after the participants. Most of the Free Blacks who participated in the Christiana Resistance, were also Civil War Soldiers. Benjamin Johnson, Henry Green, and William Parker all fought in the Civil War. William Parker joined from Canada, and was part of the 54th Massachusetts. Even though he left the area William Parker continued as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He is a national hero, but you will not hear much about him out side of Pennsylvania.

We will have to record our own history, in our own words. No one had more of an investment in slavery ending than People of Color. The reason free blacks remained in border states like Pennsylvania was to assist those who were escaping. Often their own relatives were slaves, or in slave like conditions. In order for black folk to move from place to place they were required to have money, or resources. That point hit home when in the 1860 census, my ancestor, Robert Pinn stated that he had $300.00 in cash. As a black man, he had to prove that he had money, or be forced to leave the area.