The Christiana Resistance
Many historians consider the Christiana Resistance to be the first battle of the Civil War, for it was here that the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was tested for the first time. Southern slaveholders believed that the federal law protected their right to apprehend fugitives; Northern abolitionists denounced the law and denied that the federal government had the right to enact a bill that ran contrary to human rights and the laws of God. A confrontation between the sides was inevitable; their opposing philosophies met at Christiana.

Edward Gorsuch, a wealthy land owner from Baltimore County, Maryland, discovered that grain and other items from his farm were missing, along with four of his slaves. With the law on his side, he set out to reclaim his property. Accompanied by a group of men, Gorsuch made his way to Christiana where an informant had told him he would find his runaways.

The four escaped slaves had indeed made their way to William Parker's home in Christiana. Parker was a fugitive who had established residence on the farm of Quaker Levi Pownall. Parker was a strong defender of fugitives and was known for his assistance to those who were traveling along the Underground Railroad.

On the morning of September 11, 1851, Gorsuch and his group made their way through cornfields to Parker's tenant house on the Pownall farm. A marshal announced the group's intention of apprehending Edward Gorsuch's property. The inhabitants of the house denied that any property belonging to Gorsuch was on the premises. Shots were fired by both sides. Eliza Parker, William Parker's wife, sounded a horn for help, and between 75 and 100 people came to the assistance of those inside the little homestead. By the end of the encounter, Edward Gorsuch lay dead and his son lay seriously wounded.

Federal troops were called in to help with the ensuing investigation. Forty-five United States Marines descended on Christiana. With a posse of fifty civilians, they searched and terrorized the white and Black citizens of the community. As a result of the investigation, 38 men were arrested and charged with treason for their defiance of a federal order. Heading the defense team was John M. Read. After two weeks of testimony, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" after waiting three months. The verdict sent a signal to the South that the Fugitive Slave Law would not be enforced in the North and further fanned the flames of distrust and discord that were spreading throughout the country. Three months after the Resistance ensued, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" following almost two weeks of testimony that ended December 12, 1851.

For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Phone: 1-800-PA-DUTCH
• Email: mthomas@padutchcountry.com
• www.padutchcountry.com

Christiana Related Destinations

• Christiana Underground Railroad Center at Historic Zercher Hotel
  Slokom and Green Streets, Christiana, PA 17509
  (610) 593-5340
  
  The self-guided museum provides fascinating evidence of the resistance; bibliographies of those involved in the resistance, and the locations of more than 20 Underground Railroad Stations in the surrounding countryside. Opened on September 11, 2006, the anniversary of the Resistance, the Center's information is well documented in an easy to follow educational format.

• Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre
  15 North Bridge Street, Christiana, PA 17509
  
  Historical documents, photos, and mural of the Christiana Resistance.