Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Charlotte Ann Parker (b. circa 1831 - d. 1838)
MSA SC 5496-51364
Maryland State Colonization Society Emigrant to Liberia from Queen Anne's County, 1835

Biography:

Charlotte Ann Parker was a freeborn resident of Queen Anne's County. She emigrated to Liberia with her parents, Eben and Charlotte Parker, and sisters, Amie, Elizabeth, Kitty, and Caroline.1 On December 24, 1835, the family sailed from Baltimore on the brig Fortune, arriving at Cape Palmas, Liberia on February 4, 1836.2 By 1837, her sister Caroline is absent from the census, suggesting that she passed away.3

In their new home, the arthritic Eben Parker farmed a plot of land with the help of his wife and young daughters. His choice of crops led to several altercations with the indigeneous people, including the Grebo and Barrawe, possibly because they viewed his cultivation of rice as a threat to their monopoly on the market.4  As tensions rose between Eben and the Barrawe, Eben shot a native man attempting to reclaim a sheep that Eben had recently purchased from him. Two days later, on July 26, 1838, a band of Barrawe descended on the Parker farm to exact revenge for their injured tribesmen. The Barrawe killed Eben and three of his daughters, including Charlotte Ann.5 Wounded, Charlotte Parker barely escaped, carrying a child who was most likely Elizabeth. They were the only surviving members of their family.6, 7


1. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society), Manumission Lists, 1832-1839, MSA SC 5977, Film Number M 13248-1, Emigrants, Lines 291-297.

2. Hall, Richard L. On Afric’s Shore: A History of Maryland in Liberia, 1834-1857. (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 2003), 453.

3. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society), Subscribers Reports Census, 1817-1902, MSA SC 5977, Film Number M 13247-1, 1837 Census.

4. Hall, 182.

5. Ibid, 184-185.

6.  SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society), Subscribers Reports Census, 1817-1902, MSA SC 5977, Film Number M 13247-1, 1839 Census.

7. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society), 1817-1902. Correspondence 1/1837 - 10/1838 MSA SC 5977, Film Number M 13226. John B. Russworm to J.H.B. Latrobe, August 6, 1838 , p 2-3.

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