African Americans in Haverford Township
A Partial Account
Overview
From the earliest years of Penn's Welsh Tract we find African members of the community. The first, few in number, worked as slaves on certain Quaker settlements. Not all Quakers saw slavery as contradictory to their beliefs. Indeed, William Penn owned some twelve slaves. In the years before the American War of Independence prominent Philadelphia families engaged in the salve trade. By the mid 1700's slavery declines and in 1780 Pennsylvania is the first state to abolish slavery but this law was not strictly enforced for those already held as slaves. The first United States Census was taken in 1790 and we find several families who still held slaves. It should also be noted that there were a number of white immigrants who were held as indentured servants. Records of the time relate incidents of Black and White servants fleeing from their masters. By the early 1800's the census records list a number of free Black residents, mostly farmers, who, judging from the notation of their assets, seem to have been doing fairly well. The names of farmers continue through the middle of the century. The mills along Karakung Creek also provide work for African Americans and for the newly arrived Irish immigrants. By the end of the century, however, Haverford Township begins it most significant changes since its foundation. Farms slowly begin to be divided and sold off. The mills, once prosperous along Karakung Creek, fall slowly into decline. With the Civil War over for a generation the Great Black Migration north increases. African Americans no longer settle as farmers. They now make their homes in specific areas such as Preston and South Ardmore. Like Whites who begin to populate the community they find work in non-agricultural situations.
PLEASE NOTE:
This account makes every attempt at accuracy but it does not claim infallibility nor does it pretend to be fully inclusive. Record keeping in those early years is often confusing and may also be inaccurate. Spelling of names, dates of birth, and other details tend to vary. Thus, finding a cohesive historical line on the names of residents, Black or White, can be problematic. In several cases where later census records are used, I have concentrated on the area immediately around Harford Hall. Trying to include all of Haverford Township would require time and material beyond my current ability. The information provided here is dependent on research available by time and place. It is offered to bring some light to the history of African Americans in Haverford Township. This account does not pretend to be comprehensive. Any suggestions or corrections are most appreciated.
From the earliest years of Penn's Welsh Tract we find African members of the community. The first, few in number, worked as slaves on certain Quaker settlements. Not all Quakers saw slavery as contradictory to their beliefs. Indeed, William Penn owned some twelve slaves. In the years before the American War of Independence prominent Philadelphia families engaged in the salve trade. By the mid 1700's slavery declines and in 1780 Pennsylvania is the first state to abolish slavery but this law was not strictly enforced for those already held as slaves. The first United States Census was taken in 1790 and we find several families who still held slaves. It should also be noted that there were a number of white immigrants who were held as indentured servants. Records of the time relate incidents of Black and White servants fleeing from their masters. By the early 1800's the census records list a number of free Black residents, mostly farmers, who, judging from the notation of their assets, seem to have been doing fairly well. The names of farmers continue through the middle of the century. The mills along Karakung Creek also provide work for African Americans and for the newly arrived Irish immigrants. By the end of the century, however, Haverford Township begins it most significant changes since its foundation. Farms slowly begin to be divided and sold off. The mills, once prosperous along Karakung Creek, fall slowly into decline. With the Civil War over for a generation the Great Black Migration north increases. African Americans no longer settle as farmers. They now make their homes in specific areas such as Preston and South Ardmore. Like Whites who begin to populate the community they find work in non-agricultural situations.
PLEASE NOTE:
This account makes every attempt at accuracy but it does not claim infallibility nor does it pretend to be fully inclusive. Record keeping in those early years is often confusing and may also be inaccurate. Spelling of names, dates of birth, and other details tend to vary. Thus, finding a cohesive historical line on the names of residents, Black or White, can be problematic. In several cases where later census records are used, I have concentrated on the area immediately around Harford Hall. Trying to include all of Haverford Township would require time and material beyond my current ability. The information provided here is dependent on research available by time and place. It is offered to bring some light to the history of African Americans in Haverford Township. This account does not pretend to be comprehensive. Any suggestions or corrections are most appreciated.
The Early Years in Penn's Peaceable Kingdom: 1681 - 1750
Slavery already existed in Africa among the various tribes when the first Portuguese slave traders arrived. By the beginning of the 1700's European traders usually bought slaves directly from the tribal rulers of the Gold Coast, present day Ghana.
1729
1789
William Penn, a philosophical Quaker and also an acute man of business, saw no problem with the slavery and had some twelve slaves at his new Pennsbury Manor.
"The records that exist aren’t totally clear, but it seems as if Penn enslaved roughly 12 people at his Pennsbury Manor estate, which was located in what is now the Philly suburbs. These people were purchased off the first slave ship known to have arrived in Philadelphia, and were of African and Carribean descent."
The following passages are taken from this site:
https://billypenn.com/2020/08/17/william-penn-owned-enslaved-people-these-are-some-of-their-names-e/
"The records that exist aren’t totally clear, but it seems as if Penn enslaved roughly 12 people at his Pennsbury Manor estate, which was located in what is now the Philly suburbs. These people were purchased off the first slave ship known to have arrived in Philadelphia, and were of African and Carribean descent."
The following passages are taken from this site:
https://billypenn.com/2020/08/17/william-penn-owned-enslaved-people-these-are-some-of-their-names-e/
Yaff
Yaff, it seems, was among Penn’s favorite people enslaved at his estate. After four years of service, Penn wrote to colonial scholar James Logan — who went on to become Philly’s 14th mayor — in 1703, he intended to set Yaff free and pay for his passage to England if he’d like to go there. Penn affectionately called him “an able planter, & good Husbandman.”
In 1705, records show that Penn paid 8 shillings to buy Yaff a new shirt.
Sam and Sue
Penn seemed to recognize the marriage between Sam and Sue, two enslaved people on his estate. He looked favorably upon them, writing to James Logan in 1701 that he intended to leave Sam 100 acres of his land, “to be his Childrens after he & wife are dead, forever.” By the time Penn died, his will had been changed, so that gift never materialized.
It appears that Penn might have sold Sam to James Logan when Penn left the colonies for England. Logan wrote to Hannah Callowhill Penn in 1721 that Sam had died.
Speaking of Callowhill Penn, she showed Sue a bit of compassion in a 1720 letter to Logan: “I would not have poor Sue sold to one that would use her hardly nor if possible have the children separated from her.”
Peter
All we know of Peter, sadly, is that he worked in Penn’s garden and died under his ownership before 1702.
Jack
Jack’s story is of love and loss. He’s the enslaved man whose wife, Parthenia, was sold by her Philadelphia family to Barbados. Jack requested that Callowhill Penn let him see his wife one last time before she left the colonies.
Hannah’s response, found in a 1700 letter to James Logan, was callous and centered around labor [all sic]:
Chevalier
Knowledge of Chevalier, too, is limited. Penn’s correspondence basically only shows that he was unsure if this man was captured by Spaniards from his estate in 1686. If Chevalier had been captured, “it is a great loss,” Penn wrote to Phineas Pemberton. “I would not have lost him for 50 lb sterl.”
It’s likely he wasn’t captured after all, since a letter from Logan to Callowhill Penn confirms Chevalier was set free prior to 1721.
Susannah Warder
Born on Penn’s estate in March 1701, Susannah Warder was the daughter of Sam and Sue.
Warder was one of Penn’s house servants. Her obituary described her as “tall and streight in her person, graceful in all her deportments, agreeable in her manners, and temperate in her speech and mode of living.” Apparently she had great sight and memory, although she started to lose her hearing as she aged.
After she was too old to work, the Penn family showed her some kindness, leaving her an annual sum of money to support herself.
Virgil Warder
Virgil was Susannah’s husband. Other than that, all we know of him is that a jacket and shirt were purchased for him in 1734.
Yaff, it seems, was among Penn’s favorite people enslaved at his estate. After four years of service, Penn wrote to colonial scholar James Logan — who went on to become Philly’s 14th mayor — in 1703, he intended to set Yaff free and pay for his passage to England if he’d like to go there. Penn affectionately called him “an able planter, & good Husbandman.”
In 1705, records show that Penn paid 8 shillings to buy Yaff a new shirt.
Sam and Sue
Penn seemed to recognize the marriage between Sam and Sue, two enslaved people on his estate. He looked favorably upon them, writing to James Logan in 1701 that he intended to leave Sam 100 acres of his land, “to be his Childrens after he & wife are dead, forever.” By the time Penn died, his will had been changed, so that gift never materialized.
It appears that Penn might have sold Sam to James Logan when Penn left the colonies for England. Logan wrote to Hannah Callowhill Penn in 1721 that Sam had died.
Speaking of Callowhill Penn, she showed Sue a bit of compassion in a 1720 letter to Logan: “I would not have poor Sue sold to one that would use her hardly nor if possible have the children separated from her.”
Peter
All we know of Peter, sadly, is that he worked in Penn’s garden and died under his ownership before 1702.
Jack
Jack’s story is of love and loss. He’s the enslaved man whose wife, Parthenia, was sold by her Philadelphia family to Barbados. Jack requested that Callowhill Penn let him see his wife one last time before she left the colonies.
Hannah’s response, found in a 1700 letter to James Logan, was callous and centered around labor [all sic]:
- The Boson bring Jack news that his wife Partenia is sold to barbadoes wch makes him desire to return, but I am loath to Let him go because our washing aproache{e}s but I should be glad to have aright information, & how long twill be ere she goes; if there were time for it, and I were fully Satisfied of her honesty, I should be willing to have her up by the boat, to help about washing, but I am in a little doubt concerning her, having lost more {wearing} linnin, since in that town than in all the years of my life before I cannot charge her wth it but desire thoult send for betty Webb, & press her to give her inward thoughts about her & act accordingly.
Chevalier
Knowledge of Chevalier, too, is limited. Penn’s correspondence basically only shows that he was unsure if this man was captured by Spaniards from his estate in 1686. If Chevalier had been captured, “it is a great loss,” Penn wrote to Phineas Pemberton. “I would not have lost him for 50 lb sterl.”
It’s likely he wasn’t captured after all, since a letter from Logan to Callowhill Penn confirms Chevalier was set free prior to 1721.
Susannah Warder
Born on Penn’s estate in March 1701, Susannah Warder was the daughter of Sam and Sue.
Warder was one of Penn’s house servants. Her obituary described her as “tall and streight in her person, graceful in all her deportments, agreeable in her manners, and temperate in her speech and mode of living.” Apparently she had great sight and memory, although she started to lose her hearing as she aged.
After she was too old to work, the Penn family showed her some kindness, leaving her an annual sum of money to support herself.
Virgil Warder
Virgil was Susannah’s husband. Other than that, all we know of him is that a jacket and shirt were purchased for him in 1734.
Civil Documents of Penn's Colony
Record of the Court at Chester 1681-1697 ,
The records contain a few mentions of African Americans in the original settlement. These records are from the court so they illustrate infractions by White as well as Black colonists. They should not be considered as a norm of behavior. They are, however, important testimonies of the African American presence in the earliest days.
These few court cases suggest more than immediately meets the eye concerning the relationship of Blacks and Whites. Enslaved Blacks and indentured Whites shared the kinship of bondage. The records are few and are at times a bit confusing but with patience they reveal much about early relationships.
(Delaware County was part of Chester County until 1789.)
Spellings in the texts below are as they appear in the original documents. The same word may be spelled differently in the same sentence. Capitalization is random. The old English letter "thorn," "Y" is the equivalent of "th." Thus, "ye" is "the."
The records contain a few mentions of African Americans in the original settlement. These records are from the court so they illustrate infractions by White as well as Black colonists. They should not be considered as a norm of behavior. They are, however, important testimonies of the African American presence in the earliest days.
These few court cases suggest more than immediately meets the eye concerning the relationship of Blacks and Whites. Enslaved Blacks and indentured Whites shared the kinship of bondage. The records are few and are at times a bit confusing but with patience they reveal much about early relationships.
(Delaware County was part of Chester County until 1789.)
Spellings in the texts below are as they appear in the original documents. The same word may be spelled differently in the same sentence. Capitalization is random. The old English letter "thorn," "Y" is the equivalent of "th." Thus, "ye" is "the."
"A negro man and a White Woman servant being taken up by John Bradshaw Nathaniel Lukins Isacke Warner and
Samuell Rowland and brought before John Simcocke, Justice in Commission for runaways, Who upon Examination finding
they had noe lawfull Passe Comitted them to Prison. "p.112
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Samuell Rowland and brought before John Simcocke, Justice in Commission for runaways, Who upon Examination finding
they had noe lawfull Passe Comitted them to Prison. "p.112
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"Peter Peterson being Attested in Oppen Court declareth that Thomas Boules did say that Tho Smith might fetch away his sow butt not ye (the) Piggs and yt (that) ye saw was bought of his ffathr (father) Mounse Peterson and delivered at sd (said) Mouns plantation and further he saith yt (that) he did see Tho Boules catch a small shoate from John Henricksons sow & give his negro to carry home. "p.123
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"We the Grand Jury present Margeritt Alias Gretto Johnson wife of Harman Johnson husbandman Late of Chester for that ye (the) sd (said)Greeto Johnson did since Chester faire Last fellonyously Receive of Tobey Negro of James Sandilands one Bushell of wheat meale and also tow Bushels of wheate and some Candles it being ye (the) proper goods of James Sandilands Contrary to ye (the) good and wholsom Laws of this province in that case made and provided. Caleb pusey foreman. "Pp.250-251
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Whereas there was A white man named Thomas Spencer and A Black man named Ned that was taken up for Run Aways and was brought before Counsellor forman and by him Commited to the sherif. And Richard Hollwell being Administrator to the Estate of John Ball Deceased of the County off New Castell came and Demanded the two persons being belonging to the Estate of John Ball : the Court ffinding them belonging toe the said Estate ordered the sherif to Deliver the said sarvants to ye (the) said hollwell he Defraying the Charges that was Due p.340
The Quaker Response to Slavery
The Quarterly Meeting held at Chester for the county of Chester, Sixth month 1, 1700, prohibited the members of the meeting from purchasing Indians as slaves, and in 1711 the same meeting declared that it was "dissatisfied with Friends buying and encouraging the bringing in of negroes." Ashmead, History of Delaware County, p. 226
The Late 1700's
Philadelphia newspaper notices advertise for the sale of slaves by Willing, Morris and Company. Thomas Willing and Robert Morris were two prominent and wealthy members of Philadelphia society. Both men were highly instrumental in the economic development of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Indeed, Robert Morris is considered the financier of the American War of Independence. Robert Morris was a Quaker; Thomas Willing an Anglican. Both men dealt in the slave trade.
Robert Morris
1734 - 1806
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Thomas Willing 1731 - 1821
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May 20, 1762
August 1, 1765
Slave Market
at the London Coffee House,
Front and Market, Philadelphia.
Abolition in Pennsylvania
March 1, 1780,
The gradual abolition of Slavery.
From the document:
The gradual abolition of Slavery.
From the document:
"And whereas, the Condition of those Persons who have heretofore been denominated Negroe and Mulatto Slaves, has been attended with Circumstances which not only deprived them of the common Blessings that they were by Nature entitled to, but has cast them into the deepest Afflictions by an unnatural Separation and Sale of Husband and Wife from each other, and from their Children; an Injury the greatness of which can only be conceived, by supposing that we were in the same unhappy Case. In Justice therefore to Persons so unhappily circumstanced and who, having no Prospect before them whereon they may rest their Sorrows and their hopes have no reasonable Inducement to render that Service to Society, which they otherwise might; and also ingrateful Commemoration of our own happy Deliverance, from that State of unconditional Submission, to which we were doomed by the Tyranny of Britain.
Be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met and by the Authority of the same, That all Persons, as well Negroes, and Mulattos, as others, who shall be born within this State, from and after the Passing of this Act, shall not be deemed and considered as Servants for Life or Slaves; and that all Servitude for Life or Slavery of Children in Consequence of the Slavery of their Mothers, in the Case of all Children born within this State from and after the passing of this Act as aforesaid, shall be, an hereby is, utterly taken away, extinguished and for ever abolished."
Pennsylvania's Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery was the most conservative of the laws emancipating slaves that were passed in northern states between 1780 and 1804. The law freed few slaves immediately. Although Pennsylvanians could no longer legally import slaves; they could buy and sell those who had been registered. The closing statement "slave for life," allowed the bypass of the new law.
The Names of the First Slaves
in Haverford Township
in Haverford Township
In response to this law a list of all slaves held in Pennsylvania was compiled. The list for Haverford Township is as follows:
(Note the family of Samuel Johnson. Were his slaves his family?)
(Note the family of Samuel Johnson. Were his slaves his family?)
Robert Magorgan, of Haverford township, farmer, registers a mulatto child then aged 6 months, a servant until he shall attain the age of 31 years. (No name is given.)
Hugh Goveen, of Haverford, farmer, registered a negro woman, Phillis, aged '21 ; a negro boy, Peter, aged 7 years, slave for life and a mulatto girl, Poll, aged 16, a servant until she is 31 years.
Samuel Johnson, of Haverford, farmer, registered a negro woman, Dinah, 45 ; a negro girl. Sail, 14 ; a mulatto boy, Jem, 8 ; a mulatto boy, Joe, 5 years; and a mulatto boy, Peter, 2 years old, all slaves for life.
Hester Hortright, of Haverford, gentlewoman, records a negro boy named Joe, aged 15, a slave for life.
Richard Willing, of Haverford, farmer, records a negro man, Dick, 40; a negro man, Ishmael, 28; a negro man, 21 ; and a negro woman, Molly, aged 42, all slaves for life.
John Lindsay, Haverford, farmer, records a negro girl 7 years old, a slave for life.
Edward Hughes, of Haverford, carpenter, records a negro boy, Will, aged 1 year and 8 months, a slave for life.
Charles Humphreys, of Haverford, miller; his sister, Elizabeth Humphreys, and the estate of Rebecca Humphreys, deceased, record a negro woman, Nancy, 70 ; a negro man, Cezar, 36 ; a negro man, Tone, 34 ; a negro woman, Nancy, 44 ; a mulatto woman, Judy, 25 ; a mulatto girl, Alice, 10; a. mulatto boy, Tommey, 8; and a mulatto female child, Fanny, 13 months, all slaves for life.
Ashmead, History of Delaware County, p. 204
1790: The First United States Census
Slaves and a Mulatto
The first census of the United States took place in 1790. For Haverford Township the population was rather small. The census required only two pages and provides minimal information. The columns indicate the number of men and women by their age group. The last column is of interest here. The last column is the number of slaves. As can be seen, most were not slave owners but there are a few who were, including Jonathan Miller the owner of Harford Hall.
Richard Willing, the entry next to the last name on page one, was the son of the son of Thomas Willing (noted above) had three slaves.
There is also a very curious entry on page one, second column, in the middle. It reads simply "Molatto." There is no first name. A "Mulatto" was a person of mixed race. The check is for the "number of free persons." Who was this free (mulatto) person?
Richard Willing, the entry next to the last name on page one, was the son of the son of Thomas Willing (noted above) had three slaves.
There is also a very curious entry on page one, second column, in the middle. It reads simply "Molatto." There is no first name. A "Mulatto" was a person of mixed race. The check is for the "number of free persons." Who was this free (mulatto) person?
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Molatto: Note that the first column giving the number of free White males is not checked. Rather, the column indicating "Men of Free Birth" is checked.
Just above Molatto is Edward Hughes who is listed on the slave registration has having a "a negro boy, Will, aged 1 year 8 months. " On the census there are no slaves counted.
Just above Molatto is Edward Hughes who is listed on the slave registration has having a "a negro boy, Will, aged 1 year 8 months. " On the census there are no slaves counted.
1800 Census
The 1800 Census for Haverford Township is again small and fills two pages. Here again the last column indicates the number of slaves. Despite the 1780 law Jonathan Miller of Harford Hall still has a slave. George Willing, however, does not.
1820
There are only four pages for the Haverford Township census. On this page we see three African American families. One of which, that of John Larr, is not associated with a White family. This page gives the total numbers for the residents. The total number of Black residents is 31.
Guineatown
This Melish- Whiteside map, 1816 - 1821, indicates the African American community "Guineatown" just above the Garrigues property and just behind the Old Buck Tavern. The row of houses seem to be along Haverford Road. The Methodist church the oldest in Radnor.
For more information on Guineatown please see the page: Preston and Guineatown
This Melish- Whiteside map, 1816 - 1821, indicates the African American community "Guineatown" just above the Garrigues property and just behind the Old Buck Tavern. The row of houses seem to be along Haverford Road. The Methodist church the oldest in Radnor.
For more information on Guineatown please see the page: Preston and Guineatown
1840
The 1840 census lists several Black families who were not slaves and had property of their own. Where their homes were is uncertain but they are not in a clustered neighborhood.
The following are the names of the head of household and the number of his family members, male and female. Unfortunately, this census does not tell us about the person's work.
Phineas Hyshman : 4 males, 4 females
Pompey Jackson: 1 male, 2 females
Garrett Butler: 3 males, 4 females
Reynord Brown: 2males, 3 females
Enoch Armstrong: 1 male, 1 female
Daniel Gilbert: 3 males, 1 female
The following are the names of the head of household and the number of his family members, male and female. Unfortunately, this census does not tell us about the person's work.
Phineas Hyshman : 4 males, 4 females
Pompey Jackson: 1 male, 2 females
Garrett Butler: 3 males, 4 females
Reynord Brown: 2males, 3 females
Enoch Armstrong: 1 male, 1 female
Daniel Gilbert: 3 males, 1 female
Below is a sample page from 1840 with the names of Garrett Butler and Reynord Brown. Both families lived somewhere near or on the property of Jonathan Miller of Harford Hall. Miller's name is at the top of the list.
The 1840 census also lists "Free Colored." This page shows those who lived with and worked for Jonathan Miller or Hartford Hall as well as several others.
1850
The 1850 census provides a more complete picture of each individual. We now see where they worked and the estimation of their property.
The Pomfry's, a prosperous Black family, and the Castners, their neighbors, a mixed race family.
Our study now moves to the 1850 Census. This census is the first to specifically identify Black residents. The 1850 census records some 24 Black residents in Haverford Township.
The large number of Black residents makes a complete presentation of each family impractical. This site will present one cluster of Black families closely associated with Harford Hall.
Examine the entry for Pomfry, Jacklson. Jackson Pomfry (spelling?) was a small farmer with a net worth of some $1,200, the equivalent of over $40, 000 today. The census notes that Jackson Pomfry was born in Pennsylvania but searches have found no results for that name. If Pennsylvania was his birthplace he may have been born free or was the slave of a Quaker family.
The Pomfry neighbors were the Castners and the Bonds. Look carefully at the dates and race of El. (Eliza? Elizabeth?) She is listed as 30, the same age as Man. (?) also a female. She is also listed as "M," "Mulatto." "Do" after the name means "ditto." In other words, El, the same age as Man, was a Castner. There is also the name of Dafney, another girl, aged 55. Recall that Jacob Castner, the father of the family, was 70 and was most probably the father of the two 30 year old daughters, one White, one Mulatto.
1870
Three sample families.
Three sample families.
By 1870 the African American population has little changed in number. The records list some 27 persons. As with earlier records the Black Community finds work in two significant positions, farm laborers or domestic servants. It should be noted that African Americans are not alone in these jobs. For men, farm laborer is common, regardless of background. For women, domestic work is common occupation. In addition to African Americans as domestic workers there may sometimes be native born of English background but also more and more commonly, they may be of the new Irish immigrant group. One position that seems to be the province of the African American man is that of "Coachman." Here again, time and space do not permit multiple examples. Those who are interested might consult the actual records. https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1438024
John Smith
The page below shows a John Smith, line 24, listed as "M," "Mulatto." born in Maryland, who lived somewhere on the property of Samuel Leedom of Harford Hall. As a simple farm laborer his net worth was listed at $700.00 which would be some $14,000 dollars today.
The adjacent neighbor on the census and on the map below is Hawkins, line 25. Judging from his place on the list it would seem that John Smith lived somewhere between Leedom and Hawkins but It is curious that John Smith's property is not indicated on the 1870 map.
John Smith
The page below shows a John Smith, line 24, listed as "M," "Mulatto." born in Maryland, who lived somewhere on the property of Samuel Leedom of Harford Hall. As a simple farm laborer his net worth was listed at $700.00 which would be some $14,000 dollars today.
The adjacent neighbor on the census and on the map below is Hawkins, line 25. Judging from his place on the list it would seem that John Smith lived somewhere between Leedom and Hawkins but It is curious that John Smith's property is not indicated on the 1870 map.
The Hawkins property and The Leedom property in 1870. Today's Harford Hall.
The Hiltons
Another sample Black family shows Thomas as a farm laborer, his wife, Elnora, as "keeping house" and not as a domestic, their daughter Mary Ida, "at school." Would she have attended the old school house on Earlington Road?
Another sample Black family shows Thomas as a farm laborer, his wife, Elnora, as "keeping house" and not as a domestic, their daughter Mary Ida, "at school." Would she have attended the old school house on Earlington Road?
Henry Douglass
Henry, line 8, was born in Virginia. He the 15 year old servant to the Eckfeldt familiy. The Eckfeldts were the generational directors of the Philadelphia Mint. The last prominent member was John Eckfeldt, author of Cobbs Creek in the Days of the Old Powder Mills. see this page: The Mills
Henry, line 8, was born in Virginia. He the 15 year old servant to the Eckfeldt familiy. The Eckfeldts were the generational directors of the Philadelphia Mint. The last prominent member was John Eckfeldt, author of Cobbs Creek in the Days of the Old Powder Mills. see this page: The Mills
1900
By 1900 there is an overall increase in the population of Haverford Township. The number of Irish immigrants is most noticeable. Along with the Irish are the African Americans, most of whom had been born in the Southern States. Farm work is the most common occupation and reveals that much property was still held as open farm land. Unfortunately, the census recorder did not enter the street name as the form calls for. Thus, we do not know exactly where these families lived. It can be said, however. that they were side by side with the White community who were often recent immigrants from Ireland or Italy.
Following are samples from the 1900 census. Many African Americans were born in Maryland or Virginia. The three "yes" entries to the far right indicate the ability to read, write and speak English. The "R" in the last column indicates that they rent. The "H" is that the rental is a home.
Preston and Guineatown
At this point the history of African Americans in Haverford Township is best explored on the page devoted to Preston and Guineatown. see this page Preston and Guineatown