The American Declaration of Independence from England was signed in 1775, at the onset of the Revolutionary War. There was a population of Free Africans already living in the 13 Colonies. My very intriguing Forefather was a landowner called James H. Summers (1759-1825). This is where my story begins…
James H Summers was the son of Sarah Summers (c.1742), who was convicted of “giving birth to a Mulatto Bastard” child and was ordered as punishment, “to serve an additional seven years as an indentured servant to Edward Kelly of Kent County, Maryland.” James eventually migrated to Delaware and married a slave woman, Jada Summers.
Jada’s owner, Peter Lowber granted her “freedom for life” in his will dated 1794. However, their two children, Thomas and Ruth were remanded custody to Lowber’s heirs. James Summers used his wealth to purchase his two children on October 14, 1797. These records are still available in the Old Court House, Dover Delaware. James and Jada later had a third child, Vincent Summers (1795-c.1880).
Vincent Summers who was a farmer, carpenter, and fencer by trade married Catherine Harris Summers on February 26, 1827. He owned a large amount of land and became an avid spokesperson against racial injustice in a community that was plagued by white vigilantes called the Night Riders. Vincent constantly rallied his people to defend themselves and their properties against these domestic terrorists. Vincent Summers built an AME Church Meeting House on his property in the North Murderkill Hundred community.
As we look back, we can see that Vincent Summers was a very brave man. “He was living at a time when he could have been lynched, kidnapped, or sold into slavery…having no legal recourse, the people defended themselves by any means necessary. Thus Vincent, the leader became a perceived threat to the status-quo and the incensed mob sought to take his life.”
The September 9, 1862 publication of the Delaware State Journal reports the incident as follows:
MEETING HOUSE BURNT, -- “It is stated that a meeting-house owned by colored people one mile from Willow Grove, was set on fire and completely destroyed by a party of white men of the neighborhood on the night of the 28th. The incendiaries executed their work secretly and are not known. The party also paid a visit to the house of Vincent Somers, on whose premises the meeting house stood, for the purpose of lynching him, but he was not at home. Somers, it is alleged, had the temerity to urge the colored people to defend themselves against the assaults of a gang of outlaws.”
Vincent Summers “got over” on the Gang of Outlaws when he became “The One Who Got Away.” He said, “I’m Outta here!” “See ya’ Later, I’m Gone!” He made a long-term strategic decision and relinquished his land causing him to sacrifice his wealth. He took care of his family and made the way for countless future generations who paid their taxes and became prosperous, educated, and successful in the United States of Today, --- Making the way for Future Generations! Vincent Summers was the Father-in-law of my Great-Great-Grandfather Enoch Harris who enlisted in 1864 with the Delaware 23rd Colored Infantry Military Unit serving in the Civil War.
The Harris and Summers Clans honor our Forefather, Vincent Summers as “The One Who Got Away.”
Researched by my cousin: (2015) Martha Alexander Paskins. Progeny Meet Destiny: The Kindred Connection: Genealogy, Historical and Commemorative Book. DiggyPOD.com: Tecumseh, Michigan. Story retold with permission.
The James H. Summers role as a leader of means is displayed in the Delaware Heritage Museum, Old Court House, Dover, Delaware. Change Agents should be able to identify a family member who can gather the "Oral History" of their family and clan to reinforce our "Peoplehood" and our physical place and value as Seven Generations of Tax-paying Citizens in this United States of America.