The facts leading up to and including the morning of the Chirstiana Riot are hazy and incompatible. Keep in mind that riots are chaotic and horrific with events that are incapable of being recorded on paper. However, through court testimony and writings of those involved, historians have compiled many facts concerning the Christiana Riots.
In 1952, four slaves fled from William Gorsuchís farm. Upon discovering this, Gorsuch went to Philadelphia to attain warrants to recapture each of these slaves; George, Nelson, Noah and Josh. He the proceeded to Christiana with the confidence of the law behind him, as well as his son, Dickenson; a U.S. Marshal, Henry Kline, and several other men. While in Philadelphia, Samual Williams learned of Gorsuchís plan and alerted Parker. On the morning of September 11, Gorsuchís posse arrived at Parkerís farm, right after Joshua Kite alerted Parker that the posse was near.
William Parker, Gorsuch and Kline met at the front door of Parkerís house. Kline announced who they were, what they wanted, and presented the legal documents they had received in Philadelphia. Throughout the discussion between the three men, there were a few gardening tools thrown and minor physical confrontation, but the worst was yet to come. Eliza Parker, sensing something was wrong, blew a horn which notified the African Americans in the area that they were in trouble and needed help. Gorsuch continued to reason with Parker, and told him that if the slaves were returned home, no harm would come of them, but he refused to leave without them. As the African Americans responded to the horn, Gorsuchís men considered retreat, but not Gorsuch.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Clarkson went to Elija Lewis and told him what he believed was going on at the Parker house. Lewis headed toward the conflict but stopped for the help of Caster Hanway. The three men proceeded to the Parker house. Upon their arrival, Gorsuch told them what was going on. Hanway requested to see the warrants and then asked Gorsuch to leave, because if they stayed, there would be blood shed. They refused to do anymore to help the Gorsuch posse, so the Marshal accused them of obstructing the Fugitive Slave Laws. Kline then told the men to retreat, because Halway would be held responsible for the monetary value of the slaves. But Gorsuchís honor was at stake and he refused to leave without his "property."
Gorsuch got into a verbal argument with Samuel Thompson, one of the fugitive slaves hiding at Parkerís house. When Gorsuch approached Thompson, Thompson hit Gorsuch with his pistol and knocked him to the ground. He continued to beat and club Gorsuch until he and a few other slaves unloaded their guns in him. When Dickenson went to help his father, he was shot repeatedly in the arm and side. The events, which followed, were gruesome and jumbled.
Almost all the members of the Gorsuch Posses fled the scene after seeing what happened to Gorsuch and his son. Many were injured, some severely, and others escaped with minor injuries. It is unclear what happened to Edward Gorsuch after he was beaten. Some say he survived long enough for the African Americans to get their revenge and others say he died in the spot he was beaten by Samual Thompson. But one thing that is clear was that the black people came together to fight for freedom at William Parkerís house, and they proved that black people also have intelligence, skill and most of all honor.
Cast Of Characters:
1. William Parker- leader of a local freedom society, owner of the house where the riot took place.
2. Joshua Kite- delivered message to Parker that the Gorsuch posse was near.
3. Marshal Henry Kline- U.S. Marshal with the warrants to recapture the fugitive slaves.
4. George, Nelson, Noah, Josh- the four slaves that ran away from the Gorsuch farm. Nelson and Josh were known to be at the Parker house.
5. Edward Gorsuch- slave owner in Maryland, traveled to Christiana to recover his runaway slaves.
6. Eliza Parker- Williamís wife.
7. Dickenson Gorsuch- Edwardís son, came to Christiana to aid his father.
8. Caster Hanway, Elija Lewis- neighbors of Parker.
9. Isaiah Clarkson- alerted Halway and Lewis of the commotion at the Parker house.
10. Dr. Pearce- one of Gorsuchís men.
11. Samual Williams- member of the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, forewarned Parker of Gorsuchís plan.
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