"Born in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania at the end of the 18th century to a slave mother and an unknown father, Stephen Smith overcame the handicaps posed by racism and poverty to become one of the wealthiest African Americans in the United States. As his prosperity and prominence increased, Smith also became a recognized and respected leader of the African American community, first in Columbia, Pennsylvania, and later on the state and national level...I have sought to understand the forces that shaped him, the circumstances that allowed him to succeed in business when so many others were unable to do so, and the contributions he made to the African American community." [from the author]
Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-253) and index.
Contents
Introduction: a country storekeeper and his network of relationships -- Beyond "wild forest people": Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania -- The Rex Store and its local customers -- Feeding the furnaces: the iron community and the Rex Store -- "Orders thankfully received, and carefully executed": Rex and the Philadelphia merchants -- A life of "comparative ease" -- Epilogue: Rex's network and its significance.
Summary
"Examines the role that country storekeeper Samuel Rex of Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, played in the society and economy of the mid-Atlantic region from 1790 to 1807. Studies consumption patterns of one typical Pennsylvania-German community"--Provided by publisher.
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, v. 110. no. 1 (Spring 2008) .
Notes
Includes examples and designs : American ornamental villa (Home of Aldjah D. Gyger, Old Philadelphia Pike) ; Cemetery entrance (Gate house for the Lancaster Cemetery, East Lemon Street, Lancaster City) ; Suburban residence (Home of the Hon. Christian S. Kauffman, Second and Cherry Streets, Columbia ) ; Model residence (Home of Elizabeth Eshleman, 443 North Duke Street, Lancaster City ) ; American suburban residence (Home of George M. Hambright, 415 West James Street, Lancaster City ) ; Suburban mansion (Home of William M. Weigley, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County ).
