His mother and father were both slaves. His father was sold shortly after the child"s birth to a man living in Georgia. Reportedly, on one cold night he kicked his blankets away from his feet, and when his mother returned she found her son’s feet had frozen.
Lewis Charlton was an American slave who founded a school after his emancipation. The farm was located between Frederick and Point of Rocks, Maryland. Charlton"s first owner was Ignatius Davis who owned Charlton"s mother.
Davis" wife treated her slaves with severity.
She whipped them until they passed out, would wash their wounds with salt water, and have them return to work in the fields. Foreign 14 months, she locked Lewis in a quarter house early each morning until late each night without food, water, companionship, or clothing.
Although she replaced the blanket, his toes froze that night and fell off with the blanket the next morning. When Charlton was seven, Davis died and he was sold to a man who intended to teach him to be a cooper, but before he could begin learning the trade, his new master’s wife died and he was sold again.
He was sold to a Mr. Fornistock who was mean, particularly when he was drunk.
Fornistock was a tanner by trade. He had Charlton spread hides that were so heavy he was in danger of falling into the vats. If that occurred he was beaten.
Eventually Fornistock’s land was sold at a Sheriff"s sale.
Lewis was then sold to a Mr. Getinger who expected his slaves to work at all hours of the day, and every day of the week.
After 3 years with Getinger, Charlton injured his legs when he was left out in the cold cutting logs for an extended period. Subsequently he was unable to walk for 9 months, and once he was mobile he was sold immediately to a James Davis.
Charlton was still only 15 years old.
As Davis’ slave, Lewis endured three years of field labor. His legs were damaged to the point that they bled frequently into his shoes. Three years later, Charlton was sold to a Mr.
Richardson.
Charlton remained with Richardson until he 28 years old. At 28 he became emanicipated, however, unsure of his future, he chose to live with a stonecutter named George Burroughs. A year later, Charlton moved to Hartford County, Maryland.
Here Charlton worked with Isaac Rogers, a large iron manufacturer.
Charlton found that he was treated as badly as he had been while a slave, but he continued his employment with Rogers for 16 years. He then moved to the home of William Gladding.
He worked as a farmhand for three years, earning a wage of $16 a month, which included the cost of housing. Gladding owed Charlton $235 which he was unable to secure, despite an attempt to sue for his wages in court.
Charlton was forced to go return to work.
In 1862 Lewis moved to a town named Westminster, where he worked as a mason. At this point Charlton wanted to educate the young black youth in the surrounding area. Because he lacked the funds to build a school he travelled to Baltimore to raise money.
In Baltimore he had a cold reception, so in 1866 he traveled to Boston to raise funds.
Here he acquired nearly $1000 and a teacher, named Mr. Whitmore, who was willing to travel to Westminster and teach black children.
Finally Charlton established the first Black schoolhouse and church in Westminster. When Charlton"s funds were depleted he attempted to raise more but he was unsuccessful.
At that point the school was closed.
