Finding Sanctuary at Montrose

Posted by on Nov 20, 2013 in | Comments Off on Finding Sanctuary at Montrose On Friday afternoon, April 9, 1842, William Smith, a slave owned by a Maryland widow, sought shelter in her manor house from the teeming rain. He was drenched after having toiled all morning in the inclement weather. As he stood drying by the stove, one of the widow’s young sons berated him. “What are you doing in here,” snapped the youngster. “You stand there happy as a lord. You don’t belong...
read more

The 54th Mass. Infantry Regiment, US Colored Troops

Posted by on Nov 20, 2013 in | Comments Off on The 54th Mass. Infantry Regiment, US Colored Troops Although its name might lead many to believe that the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, United States Colored Troops (USCT), was made up of African American soldiers from New England, the unit included a number of Pennsylvanians. In fact, forty-five of the recruits lived in Franklin County, and an additional thirteen joined the 55th Massachusetts, organized for the overflow from the 54th....
read more