African American resources in the Lancaster County Historical Society.
Maj. Ellwood Griest (1824-1900) was born to a Quaker family just across the Octoraro Creek from Lancaster County in West Nottingham, Chester County. He learned blacksmithing, moved to Christiana, and became very active in Republican politics and abolitionism. The Lancaster Intelligencer even accused him during the 1860 election campaign of "figuring somewhat prominently" in the Christiana Riot, although I haven't seen evidence. Griest also served with the Union army as a Sixth Corps commissary officer (a Quaker compromise?), and stayed in the army until 1866 witnessing early Reconstruction in Florida. After the war, he ran a newspaper in Lancaster and stayed active in politics. Lancaster's 1920s skyscraper, the Griest Building, is named after Ellwood Griest's son, Congressman William Walton Griest. [from http://www.lancasteratwar.com/2011/09/john-and-mary-tale-of-south-eastern.html]
Contents
Chapters: THE OCTORARO / THE BROWNS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS / THE FRIENDS / A VISITOR / THE FUGITIVES / PASSING EVENTS / A FOOT-RACE / THE DESERTED HOUSE / THE HUNTERS AND THEIR PREY / FOILED / DOCTOR KING / TIME'S CHANGES / KU-KLUX / LOST AND FOUND / MOTHER AND SON / HOME AT LAST
Summary
From the preface: "The following story, originally written for the LANCASTER INQUIRER, is founded on facts that came within the personal knowledge of the writer. The characters described are all real ones, as will be attested by many of the older inhabitants, yet living in the region of country where the events described occurred. Belonging to a generation of people and a condition of society that are rapidly passing away, they cannot fail to excite an interest in the minds of those who, living under totally different influences, learn of them only through others. The narrative of John and Mary, or rather of Mary and her child, is founded strictly on facts, and resulted from a state of society that has passed away forever. Whatever faithfully describes the influences and results of the institution of slavery, must become more and more interesting to the present generation, and in the hope that this little volume will in a measure meet this growing want, the writer has consented to its publication in the present form. That some pleasure and profit may result to the reader from its perusal is the earnest desire of THE AUTHOR."
First edition, covering only the years 1774-1776, published in Philadelphia by the same editor in 1839.
Summary
From The History Society of Pennsylvania: Christopher Marshall was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 6, 1709. He was educated in England and sailed to America sometime in the late 1720s. By 1729, he had established a pharmacy shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His success as a pharmacist and chemist allowed him to retire from business in 1774, but he remained a vital public figure. In 1776, he became a delegate to the Philadelphia Provincial Council, and he was twice appointed to the Continental Committee of Council and Safety. His retirement afforded him the time to keep diaries of public and personal events. He wrote these "remembrances" almost daily from about 1774 to at least 1795. In 1777, Marshall relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to improve his health and to avoid the British armies. After hostilities ceased, Marshall moved back to Philadelphia where he died on May 7, 1797.
The history of Pennsylvania from the earliest discovery to the present time. Including an account of the first settlements by the Dutch, Swedes, and English, and of the colony of William Penn, his treaty and pacific measures with the Indians; and the gradual advancement of the state to its present aspect of opulence, culture and refinement. By William Mason Cornell
"No license." The great pending question. Taxpayers! Look to your interests. What the liquor traffic costs the people. An address to the citizens of Lancaster County, adopted by the No-license Convention, held in Lancaster
