Stephen Smith
*The birth of Stephen Smith is celebrated on this date, c 1795. He was a Black businessman and abolitionist.
Stephen Smith was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, to a slave woman. At five, he became the indentured servant to the Pennsylvanian businessman Thomas Boude. At age 21, Smith had gathered enough money to purchase his freedom for $50 in 1818.
After purchasing his freedom, Smith planned and opened his Lumber business in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Smith would be very successful and looking for partners to grow his business even bigger. In the early 1830s, Smith formed a partnership with William Whipper. Smith and Whipper would have huge success in Lumber, coal, Philadelphia real estate, railroad cars, and investments in the stock market. The two made a fortune and put it to good use, becoming true leaders of the black community in their fight against slavery. In 1830, Smith was the chairman of the African American Abolitionist Organization in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Smith was also ordained in the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church on South Fifth Street, Columbia, in 1831.
Word spread about his success, and many white people grew jealous and felt compelled to send Smith a message. In 1835, a group of unknown people vandalized the office of Smith and destroyed all his papers and records. This incident motivated Smith to work towards ending slavery more and more. Smith would acquire a small room where Blacks would hold meetings. Smith would also assist the local Underground Railroad, which ran through Maryland, and provide aid to Canada.
After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Whipper and Smith persuaded 15,000 Blacks to make their way to Canada. After so many years of helping slaves escape, his local community has more rights in the eyes of the government. Stephen Smith died in 1873.
