The "A Sunday Morning Visiting History In Lancaster County: Part III" Story

Sign telling me I made the correct turn.

It was an ordinary day.  Just left the town of Gap in Lancaster County, PA heading east on Rt. 41 as I listen to the directions my car is giving me in my search for the town of Christiana, Pa so I can take a photo of the monument that stands in the center of town.  Wasn't long before I made a right off of Rt. 41 and in about 30 seconds I was next to the monument.  The town, or according to my computer, the borough is the least populated in Lancaster County.  

The monument telling about the
Christiana Riot

The present-day borough was at one time known as Nobleville, having been named after pioneer settler Christian Noble.  Neat little town that has so many different directional signs that at times I find I am driving in one big circle.  Does make the place look larger!  Perhaps you may recall that on April 27, 2017, I wrote a story titled "Was This The Breaking Point?"  Story about the Christiana Riot in 1851.  A quick synopsis of my story would be:  On September 11, 1851, Christiana was the site of the Battle of Christiana in which the local residents defended, with firearms, a fugitive slave, killing the slaveowner.  The two main characters in the riot were resident William Parker and Edward Gorsuch, a Maryland farmer who had lost four slaves when they fled over the Mason-Dizon Line into Pennsylvania and nearby Christiani.  

Side 1

Gorsuch lost his life when killed on Parker's farm in Christiani.  The farm was well known as a stop on the Underground Railroad.  Southerners demanded the hanging of those responsible, who were accused of treason and making war on the United States, but after the first defendant was acquitted, the government dropped the case.  The trial was the first nationally covered challenge to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.  Well, the monument that I am standing in front of was the result of that riot.  The riot just may have been the harbinger to the Civil War.  The monument has inscriptions on all four sides which sort of tell the story the riot.  

Side 2

One side says: KILLED, EDWARD GORSUCH, HE DIED FOR LAW, WOUNDED, DICKINSON GORSUCH, FATHER AND SON OF BALTIMORE CO., MD. JOSHUA GORSUCH.  Another side says: IN COMMEMORATON OF THE CHRISTIANA RIOT, SEPTEMBER 11, 1851 AND THE TREASON TRIALS, SEPT. 29-DEC.17, 1851.  A third side says: TRIED, NOV. 24-DEC. 11, 1851, CASTNER HANWAY, NOT GUILTY, HE SUFFERED FOR FREEDOM, and the final side lists all the local people who supported William Parker in his quest for freedom of slaves.  As you read the 38 names you will find one Peter Woods who was arrested for treason during the riot.  

Side 3

Having the same last name of Woods, I did some searching and found a photograph of Peter and his family.  I showed my wife and we are pretty certain I am not related to Peter.  A nearby brass marker on stone is dedicated to the memory of William Parker whose  house was frequently used to hide runaway slaves.  It declares: A leader in the Fight for the Freedom of his people and declares him to be "Bold as a Lion."  The marker was erected by the Rotary Club of Octorara and the Christiana Historical Society.  I did try to find the actual site of the Christiana Riot which was said to have been 700 yards South of the monument, but I was unsuccessful.  I ended my tour of Christiana with a stop to take photos of the train station, local Masonic Lodge and street signs honoring those who were in various wars in the past.  Neal little town...or I mean borough.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Side 4 (click to enlarge)

William Parker's house where the conflict took place.

An artist's rendering of the riot.

A brass plaque next to the monument.

Train Station

Masonic Lodge

One of many pole signs listing Hometown Heroes.

Photo of the Woods family.  Peter is center, front row.