significant center of the free Afro-American community in the 19th Century.' �206 JOURNAL Bethel A.M.E. Church is the largest church of its denomination in Lan- caster County — there being A.M.E. churches in Marietta and Columbia as well. The fact that Bethel"s membership is almost six times greater than the

, bonds, notes, stocks, and carriage) valued at an additional $3,170. Furthermore, he and Joshua P.B. Eddy jointly owned a house and a lot valued at $150. An individual identified solely as "agent for Stephen Smith" owned 5 houses and 5 lots worth $1,000. Smith's total worth in Columbia had now reached

The Defense of Columbia June 1863 By Patrick M. McSherry Late June 1863 was not a very inspiring time for the Union. In the last two years the Army of the Potomac had four different commanders. Its men and officers had learned the meaning of defeat first hand at Fredericksburg. Murfreesboro and