Hi George and Anita,

This is a very educational discussion, thank you.

I have a question about the Christiana Riots. I have an ancestor, Samuel B. Williams, who was born in Columbia, Lancaster County, PA on November 27, 1827. He married in 1850 and left Pennsylvania for Canada to serve as a B.M.E. Minister around 1854. He came back to the U.S. after the Civil War to be an A.M.E. Minister. He died in Philadelphia in the Home for the Aged & Infirm Colored Persons, Corner of Belmont & Girard, on January 25, 1915.

I notice in newspaper accounts and books that a Samuel Williams, resident of Philadelphia, participated in the Riot and was tried for treason and acquitted. I have no family lore that says that this is my Samuel Williams, all I have is a hunch. Is there any way to get Court records or contemporary accounts that might provide more personal details so that I can see if these are the same person? I've read about the riots at Godfrey.org and Documenting the American South, as well the Historical New York Times and Washington Post. Now I'd like to see more primary sources.

Thanks so much for your help,

Lee Cook