Christiana Incident of 1851

Summary

Christiana Incident of 1851: A Detailed Exploration

Episode: Christiana Incident of 1851
Hosts: Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson
Release Date: June 11, 2025

---

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Stuff You Missed in History Class," hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the Christiana Incident of 1851, a pivotal event in the pre-Civil War United States. This incident not only highlighted the intense regional tensions over slavery but also served as a critical legal test of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Holly and Tracy shed light on the lives of those most affected by slavery and the broader societal implications of this confrontation.

---

Background: Slavery in Mid-19th Century America

The United States in the mid-1850s was a nation deeply divided over the issue of slavery. Holly Fry sets the stage by explaining how the country was splitting into pro-slavery and anti-slavery states, leading to heightened tensions, especially along the borders between these regions.

"This offers a kind of unique snapshot of the US when the country was sorting into states where slavery was upheld and states that had abolished it, and what the resulting discord and racist tension really looked like at the borders between those sides of the conflict in the mid-1850s."
— Holly Fry [02:55]

---

Key Figures

1. William Parker: An escaped slave who became a central figure in the incident. Born on the Rodown plantation in Maryland, Parker escaped slavery and settled in Christiana, Pennsylvania, where he became an active member of the abolitionist community and formed a mutual protection group to defend fugitive slaves.

   "From the time he was young, William, after having seen his first sale of enslaved people that he had grown up with, plotted an escape."
   — Holly Fry [05:59]

2. Edward Gorsuch: The slaveowner seeking to reclaim his escaped slaves. In 1851, Gorsuch led a posse to Pennsylvania to apprehend four men who had escaped his Maryland plantation.

3. Noah Bully, Nelson Ford, George Hammond, and Joshua Hammond: The four men who escaped from Gorsuch's plantation and sought refuge in Christiana.

---

The Escape and Pursuit

In 1849, Noah Bully, Nelson Ford, George Hammond, and Joshua Hammond escaped enslavement from Edward Gorsuch's farm in Baltimore County, Maryland. They found sanctuary at William Parker's home in Christiana, Pennsylvania. Parker, along with his wife Eliza Ann Howard, had established a safe haven for fugitive slaves, emphasizing collective protection against kidnappers.

"I was ignorant enough to think that something besides the fact that I was a slave was necessary to exonerate me from blame in running away."
— William Parker [05:59]

However, their sanctuary was short-lived. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 intensified the efforts to capture escaped slaves, granting significant power to slaveholders and imposing severe penalties on those aiding fugitives.

---

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Lester Holt provides a detailed explanation of the Fugitive Slave Act, highlighting its stringent provisions:

"The law clearly stated that the testimony of the apprehended person would not be admitted into evidence and that they could be taken back to the state they ran from, even if they were captured in a state that did not have legal enslavement."
— Lester Holt [17:13]

This legislation not only empowered slaveholders to pursue fugitives across state lines but also criminalized any assistance to escaped slaves, thus fueling resistance and activism in abolitionist communities.

---

The Christiana Incident: Confrontation at Peter Parker’s Home

On September 9, 1851, Edward Gorsuch arrived in Pennsylvania with a posse to capture the escaped men. The group included Gorsuch's son Dickinson and his nephew Joshua, alongside local men Nathan Nelson, Thomas Pierce, Nicholas Hutchings, and guide William Padgett.

Upon arriving at Parker's home, tensions escalated quickly. Initial demands for the fugitives to surrender were met with resistance. Parker and his family, along with several black men, armed themselves to defend against the slave catchers.

"We must have trouble before we could have peace."
— William Parker [09:31]

As the confrontation intensified, conflicting accounts emerged. Some narratives exaggerated the number of armed black defenders, ranging from 15 to 200, though more realistic estimates suggest a force of two or three dozen.

---

Conflicting Accounts and Media Representation

Early newspaper reports, such as one from the Boston Evening Transcript, painted a dramatic and often inaccurate picture of the incident:

"A fearful fugitive slave riot occurred at Christiana, Lancaster county yesterday morning... The officers were driven from the ground by 80 armed Negroes."
— Narrator [29:45]

However, the actual number of defenders was likely much smaller, and many of the accounts contained significant errors, including misrepresentations of the participants and the nature of the confrontation.

Two weeks later, the New York Times published an account based on the testimony of Dickinson Gorsuch, which further complicated the narrative by alleging a premeditated conspiracy involving both black and white individuals, including Quakers like Kastner Hanway.

"No plea of conscience or regard for divine law will be made by the perpetrators of this outrage."
— Lester Holt [33:36]

---

The Trial and Legal Proceedings

The aftermath of the incident led to the arrest and trial of Kastner Hanway, Elijah Lewis, Jeremiah Scarlett, and 25 black men on charges of treason and other offenses. The prosecution aimed to portray the defendants as violent insurgents, but their case unraveled due to unreliable witness testimonies and the dubious credibility of key prosecution figures like Deputy Marshal H.H. Klein.

"The jury only deliberated for 15 minutes before coming back with a not guilty verdict for Hanway."
— Holly Fry [40:02]

The swift acquittal of Hanway undermined the prosecution's strategy, leading to the dismissal of all remaining charges by January 1852. The trial's outcome intensified Southern resentment and deepened the sectional divide, contributing to the rising tensions that would eventually culminate in the Civil War.

---

Aftermath and Long-Term Effects

In the wake of the trial, several key figures found different paths:

• Dickinson Gorsuch, severely injured during the incident, sought reconciliation with the Christiana community and maintained positive relationships until his death in 1882.

• William Parker relocated to Buxton, Canada, where he reunited with his wife Eliza Ann Howard. Their lives in Canada allowed them to live free from the immediate threat of capture.

"He [William Parker] is relocated to Buxton, Canada, and settled there... in 1866, the Atlantic Monthly published his life story in two parts."
— Lester Holt [42:20]

The fate of the four escaped men—Noah Bully, Nelson Ford, George Hammond, and Joshua Hammond—remains uncertain, with speculation suggesting they may have joined Parker in Canada.

---

Conclusion

The Christiana Incident of 1851 stands as a significant episode in American history, illustrating the fierce resistance against oppressive laws and the lengths to which individuals and communities would go to uphold the principles of freedom and human dignity. Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson effectively unravel the complexities of this event, highlighting the interplay between legal frameworks, personal courage, and societal upheaval that characterized the antebellum United States.

"This story is so ceaselessly interesting to me. I particularly am fascinated by the press coverage."
— Holly Fry [42:38]

By examining both the heroic efforts of individuals like William Parker and the flawed legal endeavors of figures like Edward Gorsuch, the episode provides a nuanced understanding of a nation on the brink of transformation.

---

Notable Quotes

• "This offer a kind of unique snapshot of the US when the country was sorting into states where slavery was upheld and states that had abolished it..."
  — Holly Fry [02:55]

• "We must have trouble before we could have peace."
  — William Parker [09:31]

• "No plea of conscience or regard for divine law will be made by the perpetrators of this outrage."
  — Lester Holt [33:36]

• "This defendant, gentlemen, is not here through his counsel to defend those sad deeds..."
  — Defense Opening Statement at Hanway's Trial [40:02]

---

Further Reading and Listening

For those interested in exploring more about the Christiana Incident and its broader implications, Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson recommend tuning into their upcoming series and related episodes:

• Camp Shame: An eight-episode series investigating the dark truths behind Camp Shane, a weight loss camp for kids.
• Criminalia: Hosted by Holly Fry and Maria Tremarchi, focusing on historical true crime cases.
• Betrayal: A deep dive into personal deception and scandal within law enforcement.

---

Thank you for joining Holly and Tracy in uncovering the intricate layers of the Christiana Incident of 1851. Stay tuned for more fascinating historical narratives on "Stuff You Missed in History Class."

Transcript

[Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Lester Holt]

If you own a home, here's an interesting fact for you today. American homeowners are sitting on a record amount of home equity. That's the part of your home you own. Outright Rocket Mortgage can help you turn that home equity into cash and that can help you fund a home renovation, pay for your kids college tuition or pay off consolidated high interest debt. To learn more just call 804Rocket or visit Rocket.com today Rocket Mortgage LLC lets you licensed in 50 states. Nmlsconsumeraccess.org Number 3030 NBC Nightly News Legacy isn't handed down.

[Holly Fry]

For NBC News, I'm Tom Brokaw. We hope to see you back here.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt.

[Jake Hanrahan]

It's carried forward. Tom Yamaz is there for us. Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures. We are coming on the air with.

[Andrea Gunning]

Breaking news right now.

[Jake Hanrahan]

We look for a constant and from one era to the next, trust is the anchor.

[Andrea Gunning]

For NBC Nightly News, I'm Tom Yamas.

[Jake Hanrahan]

A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News will with Tom Yamas evenings on NBC.

[Narrator]

Camp Shane, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids promised extraordinary results. But there were some dark truths behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children.

[Lester Holt]

Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie.

[Narrator]

Enter Camp Shame, an eight part series examining the rise and fall of Camp Shane and the culture that fueled its decades long success. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on I Heart True Crime plus, so don't wait. Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today.

[Maria Tremarchi]

Explore the winding halls of historical true crime with Holly Fry and Maria Tremarchi, hosts of Criminalia, as they uncover curious cases from the past. The legend of the Highwayman suggests men dominated the field. But tell that to Lady Catherine Ferrers, known as the wicked lady who who terrorized England in the mid-1600s. Her legend persists nearly 400 years after her death. Highwaymen are in the hot seat this season. Find more crime and cocktails on Criminalia. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Holly Fry]

Welcome to Stuff youf Missed in History Class, a production of iHeartRadio. Hello and welcome to the podcast. I'm Holly.

[Lester Holt]

And I'm Tracy V. Wilson.

[Holly Fry]

So I got reminded of today's episode cause it's been, you know, kind of lingering in the background for a while while I was researching something else. And I'm sure this has happened to you where you're looking at a historical paper online and then you see a headline in another column and you go, oh, yeah, those two things were happening around the same time.

[Lester Holt]

Yep.

[Holly Fry]

So this is the Christiana incident. Sometimes it's also called the Christiana Riot. It has other names as well, but it offers a kind of unique snapshot of the US when the country was sorting into states where slavery was upheld and states that had abolished it, and what the resulting discord and racist tension really looked like at the borders between those sides of the conflict in the mid-1850s. And this also offers insights into the lives of the people most impacted by the practice of slavery, black people, both enslaved and free. This is really considered an important moment in the pre Civil War years of the US because it led to the first legal test of the Fugitive Slave slave law of 1850, which we'll talk about in some detail. And in addition to looking at the ways this impacted people's lives, the immediate aftermath of the events at Christiana in 1851 also gives us a glimpse into how the press, even in abolitionist states, talked about and framed the violence in regard to race. So that's what we're going to talk about today.

[Lester Holt]

In 1849, Noah Bully, Nelson Ford, George Hammond and Joshua Hammond all escaped enslavement. From Edward Gorsuch's farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, they made their way to Christiana, Pennsylvania, a borough in Lancaster County. They found haven in the home of a man named William Parker, who had also escaped enslavement. And he had made a life for himself in Pennsylvania. He's really important to the story, so we're going to take a minute to talk more about his history.

[Holly Fry]

So William Parker was born on a Maryland plantation owned by Major William Brogden. And the plantation known as Rodown, was where his mother, Louisa Sims, was enslaved. Parker shared his story with the Atlantic later in his life. We'll talk about that down the road. And he never mentioned a father in that story. It's a little unclear if his narrative is intended to point to Major Brogdon as his father. That seems possible, although that it is not his last name. And we don't know where the name Parker comes from in that case. But he wrote of Brogdon, quote, my old master died while I was very young, so I know little about about him except from statements received from my fellow slaves or casual remarks made in my hearing from time to time by white persons. From those, I conclude that he was in no way peculiar, but should be classed with those slaveholders who are not remarkable either for the severity or the indulgence they extend to their people.

[Lester Holt]

Louisa also died when William was a little boy. And at that point, his grandmother, who was also enslaved at Rodon as the cook for the main house, was his nearest relative. She cared for him, but because she was in demand at the house for so much of the day, she only saw William very briefly. The rest of the time, he was looked after by other enslaved people who he said were abusive to him until he learned to fight back.

[Holly Fry]

After Major Brogdon died, the plantation continued for several years before the major's two sons split the property, and William then became enslaved by David Brogden. Parker's account of life enslaved by the Brogdon's offers a lot of insight into the various ways that enslaved people were dehumanized. For example, he wrote, quote, slaveholders are particular to keep the pedigree and age of favorite horses and dogs, but are quite indifferent about the age of their servants until they want to purchase. He also talks about specific instances of people being sold off and the casual ways that families were separated. Something he said that they all treated like a funeral because they knew they were never going to see those loved ones again. From the time he was young, William, after having seen his first sale of enslaved people that he had grown up with, plotted an escape. He had tried to convince other young men to join him at various times, but they were all generally too fearful of the very real risks of running away. So he and his brother Charles began just quietly planning to escape just between themselves. Parker also wrote about how he actually wanted to wait to leave until day David Brogden mistreated him in some way, noting, quote, I was ignorant enough to think that something besides the fact that I was a slave was necessary to exonerate me from blame in running away. A cross word, a blow, a good fright, anything would do. After a physical altercation with Brogdon in which William defended himself and inflicted some sort of injury that we don't specifically know what. William and his brother Charles just ran. He talked about how, even as a fugitive, the promise of freedom, quote, lends wings to the feet, buoys up the spirit within.

[Lester Holt]

The passage through Baltimore to Philadelphia was trickier than the two men anticipated because they didn't realize how quickly the news of their escape and the warrant for their capture would spread. But they made it to Pennsylvania and took various odd jobs to make money. William wrote, quote, I thought of my fellow servants left behind Bound in the chains of slavery, and I was free. I thought that if I had the power, they should soon be as free as I was. And I formed a resolution that I would assist in liberating everyone within reach at the risk of my life, and that I would devise some plan for their entire liberation. He was able to see William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass speak together. Parker had met Douglass when both men were enslaved, and he was moved and inspired to see that he had become an important voice in the abolitionist movement.

[Holly Fry]

Freshly inspired. One of the things that Parker did was band together with other formerly enslaved people to start a mutual protection group. There were often kidnappers in the area looking for black people to drag to slave states, hoping for a payoff, whether those people had been enslaved previously or not. Before the Christiana incident we're talking about today, Parker was involved in a number of conflicts that often included physical altercations as he and others in their protection group fought with kidnappers to get black captives away from them. When the wife of a friend suggested that maybe they shouldn't be so ready to fight and that they could perhaps avoid trouble instead of getting into it, Parker later said that he told her, quote, we must have trouble before we could have peace. He was very frank in telling his life story that these altercations often resulted in injuries and even deaths for both kidnappers and protectors, but that even knowing that could happen, their group always answered the call when someone raised the alert that people were in danger of being snatched.

[Lester Holt]

On one occasion, Parker and his group learned that a black man who lived near Christiana had been taking people who had run from enslavement into his own home, and then gaining their trust enough to get their stories, and then turning and relaying their location to their enslavers so that they could be recaptured. In Williams words, quote, at last, the betrayer's connection with these transactions was clearly tracked, and it was decided to force him to quit the nefarious business. This man was actually difficult for Parker and his associates to corner, so after a long run of failures, they decided to burn his home to the ground, which they did. This is a pretty good indicator of just how serious William Parker was about ending enslavement for as many people as possible and through whatever means it took.

[Holly Fry]

Christiana, where Parker lived and where the four men who had escaped Gorsuch's enslavement sought safety, is about 70 miles from Baltimore and a little less than 25 miles from the Maryland state line. At the time, Maryland was a slave state. So though there was inherent danger for Parker in living there, he also recognized that Christiana, which had large Quaker and abolitionist population, could serve as a refuge for people escaping enslavement. In Maryland, Parker and his wife, Eliza Ann Howard, who had also been enslaved, rented a two story home that welcomed people in need of shelter.

[Lester Holt]

Coming up, we'll talk about the Fugitive slave Act of 1850. But first we'll pause for a sponsor break.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Hi Zoe Saldana, welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.

[Holly Fry]

Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.

[Jake Hanrahan]

You don't need to trade in. When you switch to T Mobile, we'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old phone. Up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

There's always a trade in.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Not right now. @ T Mobile.

[Holly Fry]

I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.

[Jake Hanrahan]

That's okay.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

I don't really have much in my purse.

[Maria Tremarchi]

Oh, let's see.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Hand sanitizer.

[Maria Tremarchi]

It's lavender.

[Jake Hanrahan]

I'm good. Seriously.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Let me check this pocket.

[Holly Fry]

Oh, mints.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Really, I'm fine.

[Holly Fry]

Oh, I have raisins.

[Maria Tremarchi]

I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Jake Hanrahan]

It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line $100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement $999.99 and qualifying ported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and in balance due if you pay off early or.

[Andrea Gunning]

Cancel CT mobile.com tired of spills and stains on your sofa? Wash away your worries with Annabe. Annabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabric experience cloud like comfort with high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Shop washablesofas.com for up to 60% off site wide backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund no return shipping or restocking fee Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Narrator]

Camp Sheen, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution. But behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children was a dark underworld of sinister secrets. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye.

[Lester Holt]

Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie.

[Narrator]

In this eight episode series, we're unpacking and investigating stories of mistreatment and reexamining the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iheart True Crime plus so don't wait. Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast Betrayal. Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone, most of all his wife, Caroline.

[Lester Holt]

He texted, I've ruined our lives. You're going to want to divorce me.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Caroline's husband was living another life behind the scenes. He betrayed his oath to his family and to his community.

[Holly Fry]

She said, you left bruises, pulled her.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Hair, that type of thing.

[Andrea Gunning]

No?

[Tracy V. Wilson]

How far would Joel go to cover up what he'd done?

[Holly Fry]

You're unable to keep track of all your lies, and quite frankly, I question how many other women may bring forward allegations in the future.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This season of Betrayal investigates one officer's decades of deception, lies that left those closest to him questioning everything they thought they knew. Listen to betrayal on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Holly Fry]

On September 18, 1850, a piece of legislation that has come up many times on the show was made law by Congress. That was the Fugitive Slave act, which then of course became the Fugitive Slave Law. This was not the first fugitive slave legislation. There had been one in 1793. But the 1850 act, part of the Compromise of 1850, which sought to relieve some of the tension between north and south over the issue of slave slavery, gave a lot more agency and power to enslavers and rendered some of the legal workarounds that had been found to thwart the 1793 law useless. This act stated that if a person, quote, held to service or labor, I. E. Enslaved, were to escape that the quote person or persons to whom such service or labor may be due, or his, her, or their agent or attorney, duly authorized by power of attorney in writing, acknowledged and certified under the seal of some legal officer or court of the State or territory in which the same may be executed, may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person. This could be done, quote, by seizing and arresting such fugitive where the same could be done without process, and by taking or causing such person to be taken forthwith before such court judge or commissioner whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such claimant in a summary manner. The law clearly stated that the testimony of the apprehended person would not be admitted into evidence and that they could be taken back to the state they ran from, even if they were captured in a state that did not have legal enslavement.

[Lester Holt]

The act also noted that it was illegal to help anyone escape from enslavement. This is relevant to today's story, so we'll read that section quote that any person who shall knowingly and willingly obstruct, hinder, or prevent such claimant, his agent or attorney, or any person or persons lawfully assisting him, her, or them, from arresting such a fugitive from service or labor, either with or without process as aforesaid, or shall rescue or attempt to rescue such fugitive from service or labor from the custody of such claimant, his or her agent or attorney, or other person or persons lawfully assisting as aforesaid when so arrested pursuant to the authority herein given and declared or shall aid, abet, or assist such person so owing service or labor as aforesaid, directly or indirectly to escape from such claimant, his agent or attorney, or other person or persons legally authorized as aforesaid, or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive so as to prevent the discovery and arrest of such person after notice or knowledge of the fact that such person was a fugitive from service or labor as aforesaid, shall for either of said offenses be subject to a fine not exceeding $11,000 and imprisonment not exceeding six months.

[Holly Fry]

With the Fugitive Slave Law in place, Edward Gorsuch believed that he had a right to retrieve the four men who had escaped from his farm in 1849. And so on September 9, 1851, he arrived in Philadelphia to get all the paperwork in order to follow up on a tip that the men were being sheltered nearby. He went to a judge, invoked the Fugitive Slave act, and asked for warrants to get Beaulieu, Ford and the Hammonds, and he received those warrants. The U.S. deputy Marshal H.H. klein, was authorized to arrest the men and two Philadelphia police officers. John Agent and Thompson Tully, were brought onto the team by Gorsuch to back up Klein.

[Lester Holt]

The group did not initially head to William Parker's home. Together. They split up and then reconvened at Gap, Pennsylvania, which is a little less than three miles north of Christiana. There's some confusing back and forth as the men all tried to meet back up. But by 1am on September11, they had all arrived at Gap and set out for Christiana together on foot. In addition to the men already mentioned, the party included Gorsuch's son Dickinson and his nephew Joshua, as well as three other men acquainted with the Gorsuch family. Those were Nathan Nelson, Thomas Pierce and Nicholas Hutchings. They also had a guide who met them as they approached Christiana. That guide, William Padgett, had given Gorsuch information about where to find the escaped men in exchange for payment. He did not stay with the group once they reached their destination of Parker's home.

[Holly Fry]

That is probably because Padgett, who was a white farmhand, eventually was revealed to have been a person who would feign to be friendly to black people who had escaped enslavement and then get their stories and then he would sell them out. So he probably did not want anyone at William Parker's home to see him. According to Parker's account, he had heard that slaveholders were planning to show up at his house. But he also didn't think much of it because he heard that literally all the time. He was so involved in this fight that there was always someone coming to get him. But there was also another group of people heading to his house. Because while William Parker had not been convinced of the imminent arrival of the Gorsuch Posse, many people in Philadelphia were. And they had been organizing their own counter attack. There had been numerous instances in the 12 months since the Fugitive Slave act was passed of people being taken from Christiana, never to be heard from again. And no follow up ever presented as to what had become of them. And that had put the area's residents on very high alert. Since the passing of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law. A resistance force against kidnappers who planned to invoke it had been organizing and they knew that Parker's house was a target. According to Parker, this group was known as the Special Secret Committee. And a member of this group, Samuel Williams, had done some very impressive and really courageous spy work entailing Klein as he made his way through Pennsylvania. And Samuel also got close enough to the Gorsuch gang together all of the pertinent information about their plans at Parker's farm. And then he carried that information back to the organized group.

[Lester Holt]

When the Gorsuch posse approached the house, they found the group who had assembled to keep them from kidnapping anyone. But the Gorsuch group yelled for the escaped men to come out. When nobody did, there were threats that they would burn the house down and shoot everybody inside. But still no one emerged. At this point, there were seven people in the house. William Parker and his wife Eliza, Eliza's sister Hannah, Hannah's husband Alexander, Abraham Johnson, and two of the men Gorsuch was hunting, Nelson Ford and Joshua Hammond.

[Holly Fry]

After making several demands that the escaped men come out, Gorsuch and his men advanced toward the home. And at that point they saw a black man running from it. Gorsuch believed it had been one of the men he wished to apprehend. And Klein pursued him, although then Klein fell when he encountered an obstacle in the yard. Several other members of Gorsuch's group entered the house through the open door and continued their demands that the sought after men come down. But again nobody did. They attempted to climb the stairs, but they were met with a fish gig. That is a tool that looks kind of like a trident. And then an ax was allegedly thrown down at them and they went outside at that point and yelled up at the second story windows. Although Klein, who had recovered his balance and come into the house, tried shooting up the stairs, but he didn't hit anything of note. According to Parker's version of events, he had been the one who actually met them on the stairs. He doesn't mention holding this fish gig, but he did tell them to leave. The Gorsuch party once again asserted their legal right to be there and to pursue the men who had escaped enslavement.

[Lester Holt]

As all of this was playing out, a black passerby saw this commotion. And when he tried to approach the scene, somebody branded, brandished a gun at him. He left, but he spread the news as quickly as he could that there were kidnappers at William Parker's house. And soon more men started to arrive on the scene carrying a variety of makeshift weapons. In addition to the mostly black crowd, there were two white Quakers, Castner Hanway and Elijah Lewis, who arrived on site. Hanway was a miller and Lewis was a shopkeeper. The members of Gorsuch's group had mixed reads of what their intent was. Klein believed they were there to help with the seizure of the escaped men, but they did not. Hanway actually tried to disperse both sides of the dispute, telling Klein that if they proceeded with their plan, it would likely go very badly. He also tried to motion to the assembled black crowd to back down.

[Holly Fry]

According to accounts relayed later, Klein took off into an adjacent field, calling to the other members of the Gorsuch group to retrieve but Edward Gorsuch would not and was adamant that he was going to retrieve his property. The tension of the situation escalated and soon there was a violent melee. This whole thing from when Gorsuch and his group arrived to when it was all over was less than two hours, but the details of what precisely happened during the ensuing fight were very inconsistent. From account to account, we will probably never know exactly how everything played out.

[Lester Holt]

In a moment we'll talk about the way this incident was initially reported and how the ensuing trial played out. But first we will hear from the sponsors that keep stuff you missed in history class going.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Hi Zoe Saldana welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Holly Fry]

And here's my old phone to trade in.

[Jake Hanrahan]

You don't need a trade in when you switch to T Mobile. We'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

There's always a trade in.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Not right now. AT T Mobile I feel like I.

[Holly Fry]

Have to give you something in return for karma.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

That's okay, I don't really have much in my purse.

[Maria Tremarchi]

Oh, let's see.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Hand sanitizer.

[Maria Tremarchi]

It's lavender.

[Jake Hanrahan]

I'm good.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Seriously, let me check this pocket.

[Holly Fry]

Oh mints.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Really, I'm fine.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Oh I have raisins.

[Maria Tremarchi]

I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Jake Hanrahan]

It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile, get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits new line 100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement 999.99 and qualifying ported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and amounts due if you pay off early or cancel.

[Andrea Gunning]

See t mobile.com there's nothing like sinking into luxury. Annabe sofas combine ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. Annabe has designed the only fully machine washable sofa from top to bottom. The stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Sofas start at just $699 and right now you can shop up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop now at wash multiplesofas.com add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Narrator]

Camp Shane, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution. But behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children was a dark underworld of sinister secrets. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye.

[Lester Holt]

Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie.

[Narrator]

In this eight episode series, we're unpacking and investigating stories of mistreatment and re examining the culture of fatphobia that enabled a a flawed system to continue for so long. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iheart True Crime plus so don't wait. Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast Betrayal Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone, most of all his wife, Caroline.

[Lester Holt]

He texted I've ruined our lives. You're going to want to divorce me.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

Caroline's husband was living another life behind the scenes. He betrayed his oath to his family and to his community.

[Holly Fry]

She said you left bruises, pulled her.

[Jake Hanrahan]

Hair, that type of thing.

[Holly Fry]

No?

[Tracy V. Wilson]

How far would Joel go to cover up what he'd done?

[Holly Fry]

You're unable to keep track of all your lies, and quite frankly, I question how many other women may bring forward allegations in the future.

[Tracy V. Wilson]

This season of Betrayal investigates one officer's decades of deception, lies that left those closest to him questioning everything they thought they knew. Listen to betrayal on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Holly Fry]

Here's how the early reports in newspapers recounted the scene in the days immediately following this conflict. This one that we're reading is from the Boston Evening Transcript. Quote A fearful fugitive slave riot occurred at Christiana, Lancaster county yesterday morning, Mr. Gorsuch, the owner of the slave, was killed and his son mortally wounded. Several other persons were injured. The officers were driven from the ground by 80 armed Negroes. That number of armed black men was wildly different from account to account. And when I say wildly, some accounts say 15, some say 200. That's a big range. The largest end of the scale actually probably wasn't realistic given the number of black people living in the area. Like, those numbers just could not have assembled. And some estimates based on who would have been living nearby and able to mobilize in the short period of time that this conflict took place, taking into account a planned group that also came to protect the. The enslaved people, put the number closer to like, maybe two or three dozen men.

[Lester Holt]

Additional details that appeared in early news coverage make it clear that the information journalists received was not entirely accurate. For example, that same account says that Gorsuch was hunting two men, not four, and that his two sons were with him rather than a son and a nephew. One update to this story stated that Dickinson Gorsuch had also been killed. That was incorrect, although he did sustain serious injuries. The black men assembled are also described as all carrying guns, but in reality, there were just a couple of guns. Most of them were carrying things like axes and corn knives, things they could just pick up on really short notice. Some accounts stated that a horn had been blown in the house which called between 60 and 80 armed black men out of the woods. There was a horn, and it was blown by Parker's wife, Eliza, both to warn people and to call for help. She was shot at as soon as she started blowing it, but the bullets missed and she kept going, ducking down in the window for safety. So these first write ups, which informed early opinions on what had happened, had a range of errors, some of them relatively harmless, but others that really misrepresented the situation. And because Edward Gorsuch had been killed, authorities were eager to arrest someone that they could charge with the murder. It was also reported that the murderer was definitely one of the men who had escaped from Gorsuch in Maryland.

[Holly Fry]

Two weeks later, the New York Times ran an account of the events at Christiana as told by Gorsuch's son, stating, quote, it is written by the son of Mr. Gorsuch, who is a clergyman and a man of good standing and character. His narrative is undoubtedly reliable and presents an accurate statement of all the circumstances of this atrocious outrage. The affair was even worse than what we had suspected. It was evidently a conspiracy planned beforehand to resist the officers of the law in the execution of their duty. And even then it was not confined to the Negroes, but was apparently under the guidance and control of whites. So according to Dickinson, Gorsuch's version of the story as relayed by the New York Times, when a Quaker white man rode up on a horse, this was Kastner Hanway, who by the way, rode up on a horse because he really was not in great health and couldn't walk the short distance to the house. That this arrival inspired the crowd, quote, with renewed hostility. Dickinson also claimed that Hanway threatened the officers after he refused to help them apprehend the fugitive men.

[Lester Holt]

And this narrative carried with it a decidedly anti abolitionist take, quote, no plea of conscience or regard for divine law will be made by the perpetrators of this outrage. A man would be adjudged insane who should seriously claim that God's law required him to murder men charged with the execution of the laws of the land. The write up goes on to claim that the writer respects that different people have different values, noting, however, that, quote, the laws excuse the Quakers who plead regard for a higher law as a reason for not obeying the law, which enjoins the performance of military duty. But it would scarcely tolerate an armed attempt on the part of the Quakers to prevent anybody else from obeying the law.

[Holly Fry]

The truth is, as we said, we do not know with certainty exactly how things played out in the conflict, as accounts differ greatly. But even in those examples we've been reading right, it sounds almost like in the warning that Hanway gave to the Gorsuch people to go away, he was trying to say, if you believe one version, hey, this is not gonna go well, for everyone's safety, you should leave. And in the Dickinson version, he was threatening them that they had to leave. So what gets interesting is that even accounts given by the same witness changed in some instances. So U.S. deputy Marshal Henry Klein, who as we've been talking about, was part of the crew that Gorsuch rode into Christiana with, gave testimony on the stand that Kastner Hanway had started the violence by riling up the black resistors. But that story changed when he was cross examined. Once he was asked more pointed questions, the truth came out. He had actually hidden in the cornfield when things got contentious. So he didn't really see what happened. After that bit of detail emerged. Hanway's defense team had literally dozens of character witnesses who were willing to state that Klein was known to be a habitual liar, a known kidnapper of black people. For his own benefit and a completely untrustworthy person.

[Lester Holt]

And the trial in which all of that came out was the treason trial of Kastner Hanway. He and two other Quakers, Elijah Lewis and Jeremiah Scarlett, had been arrested and charged, as well as 25 black men. There were a total of 39 indictments, but not all of those named on the indictments could be found. It was believed Those outside the 28 in custody had escaped. To be clear, there were a lot more arrests than that, because once the dust had settled, self professed, quote, slave catchers came out of the woodwork. They captured any person of color they saw in the hopes that they could profit from it. But other than the 31 people mentioned, no charges were made against the dozens of others taken in. William Parker had made his way to Canada to avoid arrest. Hanway, Lewis and Scarlett were allowed to spend their days together in a cell. In the two months and change that they were held before the trial, they had a lot of regular visitors who brought them food and kept them company. The black detainees, by contrast, were not allowed to socialize even with one another.

[Holly Fry]

The plan was to try all of these people for treason against the United States. If acquitted on that charge, there would be a second round of charges of murder, and then if acquitted, a third charge of obstructing the marshal and aiding enslaved people in escape. But the prosecution had opted to try each defendant separately, and Hanway's trial was first, as he had been characterized, as the ringleader of the group that overtook Gorsuch and his crew. The thinking on the part of the prosecution was that if they could get a guilty verdict against him, a white man and a Quaker, the rest of their work was going to be easy. But this strategy backfired. Abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens was the head of the defense team. The prosecution was led by U.S. district Attorney John W. Ashmead. This trial played out over three weeks, starting Nov. 24 and running until Dec. 16.

[Lester Holt]

The opening statement of the defense lays the groundwork to discredit the treason charge for all of the men arrested for the incident in Christiana. Although the primary setup establishes that Kastner Hanway was not responsible for any of it, it quote, this defendant, gentlemen, is not here through his counsel to defend those sad deeds which disgraced the sweet and peaceful valley near Christiana on the 9th of September last, or by one unkind or reproachful word, to open again the yet fresh wounds of any member of that family which suffered so deeply there. It is no part of his defense to defend those who took part in that conflict. His defense is simply that he was in no way a party to these outrages. But as a precaution I shall pass beyond this line and added to this will open to you that however grave and serious may be and is the offense of those who took part in those outrages, yet it does not amount to the offense charged in the indictment. On the borders of Lancaster County. Their realties a band of miscreants who are well known to the laws and well known to the records of the penitentiary in this state. They are professional kidnappers. These men, by a series of lawless and diabolical outrages, have invaded the peace of this valley, begetting dread in every household and a general sense of insecurity in every home. Treason shall consist only in levying war against the United States. Do the facts of the case sustain the charge. Sir, did you hear it? That three harmless, non resisting Quakers and eight and thirty wretched miserable penniless negroes, armed with corn cutters, clubs and a few muskets, and headed by a miller in a felt hat, without a coat, without arms, and mounted on a sorrel nag levied war against the United States. Blessed be God that our union has survived the shock.

[Holly Fry]

I love a little sarcasm. The prosecution saw witness after witness fail to help their case on the stand. Most of them were caught in lies, just as Klein had been. And while the various witnesses called by both sides told different versions of the story, a few facts were consistent throughout. And most damning was that it had actually been Gorsuch's group that had been the first to become violent. When the court proceedings concluded, the jury only deliberated for 15 minutes before coming back with a not guilty verdict for Hanway. And the opposite of the prosecution's plan played out from there. Because Klein had been the linchpin of their entire case and their plan going forward with all of the subsequent charges. And when he was discredited in the first trial and no other hard evidence had been presented, there really wasn't anything to move forward with. The grand jury dismissed all remaining charges, and all of the men who had been charged were released by January 16, 1852.

[Lester Holt]

The result of the trial incensed many southerners who felt it was always unfairly biased because it took place in Philadelphia. In Pennsylvania, there had already been a sentiment that the fugitive Slave law was a case of the federal government infringing on states rights. But as the prosecution failed to establish any real evidence for their narrative in the case against Hanway or any of the defendants, really, that point is almost moot. Just the same, the controversy over the outcome only added to the already tense relations between the Northern and Southern states. It's sometimes called the first battle of the Civil War.

[Holly Fry]

In a surprising coda to this story, Edward Gorsuch's son Dickinson, who as we mentioned, had been really seriously injured, was nursed back to health by a Christiana Quaker named Levi Ponall. And over the course of receiving Ponall's care, it appears that Dickinson actually had a fairly significant change of heart regarding the situation. And he eventually sought to reconcile with the people that his family had fought against. And he reportedly enjoyed a pretty positive relationship with many of Christiana's citizens up until his death in 1882, William Parker.

[Lester Holt]

Relocated to Buxton, Canada, and settled there. While he had initially run away from Christiana without Eliza, the two of them were reunited in Canada, although he eventually left Eliza for another woman. In 1866, the Atlantic Monthly published his life story in two parts.

[Holly Fry]

That is the piece which we quoted from a good bit in the early part of this, and I will say there are some general notations about like, we don't know how accurate his version is or not, but to me it's his lived experience and thus becomes a pretty important narrative of what was going on at the time. As for the four men whose escape started the whole thing, Noah Bewley, Nelson Ford, George Hammond and Joshua Hammond, what happened to them after the incident is not known. They were not captured, and it is often speculated that they followed William Parker to Canada. Yeah, this story is so ceaselessly interesting to me. I particularly am fascinated by the press coverage, but in the meantime, I have very unrelated listener mail. This is from our listener James, who writes. Hi Holly and Tracy. First let me say I love your show. I've been listening since high school. Right around the time the show became yours. I used to listen on the bus on my way to school. Now I listen while I clean stalls and portion out hay. You make the dullest and hardest tasks go by so fast. I honestly don't know how I would make it through my longest work days without your help. About a year ago, I got divorced. I remember your Divorce Ranch's episode came out about a month after the topic had been broached between my now ex wife and I. As stressed out and depressed as I was, the episode inspired me. I couldn't take the time off of work to go to Nevada for six weeks, but I did take a few days and took off for the coast all alone. My first trip by myself in six years. It was a big step for me at the time and I'm happy to say I'm doing much better these days and I'm very happy to be an independent person again. I'm so glad you are doing well. Since my divorce, I've had a second Spotify profile sitting around collecting dust. When you released your episode on Yoen Erison, I was struck with inspiration. I set my grandma up on Spotify and I'm happy to report that she's becoming an avid listener. She's been telling all her elderly friends about your show and was thrilled to discover a distant personal connection to Jon Erison. One of her lifelong friends has Icelandic ancestry and claims, as many do, Yohn Erison as a direct ancestor. I have attached my pet tax two bambino sphinxes. The big Siamese is Quirk, my fat little boy, built like a bulldog and easily confused. The tortoiseshell is Dax, my frail middle aged old lady, eternally grumpy unless she's in a lap. Also, a picture of Evie and Xander grazing two of my favorite horses at the Thoroughbred Sanctuary. I love these pet tax pictures. I love these names for your cats. Hello little Star Trek reference always makes me happy and the horses are absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. I love the idea that you turned your grandma on to new things and new ways to talk about history. I love it so much. So I'm glad you're doing well. James and I will be thinking of you. If you would like to write to us, you can do [e-mail] if you would like to subscribe to the show and you haven't gotten around to it yet, I promise it's so easy. You can do that on the iHeartRadio app or anywhere you listen to your friends favorite shows.

[Lester Holt]

Stuff youf Missed in History Class is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Narrator]

Camp Shane, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. But there were some dark truths behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children.

[Lester Holt]

Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie.

[Narrator]

Enter Camp Shame, an eight part series examining the rise and fall of Camp Shane and the culture that fueled its decades long success. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iheart. True Crime plus so don't wait Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today.

[Maria Tremarchi]

Explore the winding halls of historical true crime with Holly Fry and Maria Tremarchi, hosts of Criminalia, as they uncover curious cases from the past. The legend of the Highwayman suggests men dominated the field, but tell that to Lady Catherine Ferrers, known as the Wicked lady who terrorized England in the mid-1600s. Her legend persists nearly 400 years after her death. Highwaymen are in the hot seat this season. Find more crime and cocktails on Criminalia. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jake Hanrahan]

I'm Jake Hanrahan, journalist and documentary filmmaker. Away Days is my new project reporting on countercultures on the fringes of society all across the world. Live from the underground, you'll discover no rules fighting, Japanese street racing, Brazilian favela life, and much more. All real, completely uncensored. Listen to the Away Days podcast, reporting from the underbelly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Holly Fry]

A body, a suspect, and a hundred years of silence. Buried Bones is a podcast about the forgotten crimes history tried to leave behind.

[Jake Hanrahan]

A common misperception about serial predators is that every single time they commit a crime, they commit it the same way.

[Holly Fry]

The past is a way of talking if you know what to listen for.

[Jake Hanrahan]

New episodes every Wednesday on the Exactly Right Network.

[Holly Fry]

Listen to Buried phones on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast.