Corn knife used by one of the Black resistors in the Christiana Riot on September 11, 1851. Wrought iron long curved blade of 19.5" is fitted into oak or ash turned handle rounded terminal end. Tang of blade extends through length of handle and protrudes at terminal where it is clinched.
The Christiana Resistance resulted from the efforts of a Maryland slave holder to claim fugitives hiding in the home of Willam Parker, a free black man living in Chritiana, PA. This corn knife was used by one of the black resistors during this confict. The bloody confrontation, occurring in September of 1851, resulted in the death of Edward Gorsuch, the slaveholder, and the escape of William Parker and the fugitive slaves to freedom in Canada.
1A: Wooden lift latch, 8 1/2 inches long, with 2 drilled holes in it and a cord tied through it. Written in pencil on back "Riot house door latch" .
1B: Bottom part of wooden latch, tapered, with notch in thick end to receive lift latch. 6 inches long, with two screw holes in it, mounted vertically with notch at upper end. On the back in pencil "Latch of…" covered up by a pasted-on newsclipping: "Historical Society Meeting. A number of new names proposed for membership - Christiana Relic Received. The stated October meeting of the Lancaster County Historical Society was held at the Free Library on Fri-" Paper ends there.-
