Joshua Parker was born in Dover in 1831. His father was a body servant for John Middleton Clayton one of Delaware’s most powerful politicians during the 19th century. When Joshua was 14 he followed in his father’s footsteps and became the body servant to several wealthy and powerful Delawareans. These contacts gave Joshua access to the rich and the powerful of the state of Delaware and after the Civil War these connections led to political appointments in Washington, DC. All of these politicians were Republicans and Joshua became a key promoter of recruiting African Americans in Dover to vote Republican. In 1892 A. Worthington Brinckley, a Negro, came to Dover to convince the African American Community that they should leave the Republican Party and join is all African American “Independent Party”. Joshua Parker organized a mob to kill A. Worthington Brinkley. This lecture gives insight as to how African Americans participate in the political process during the 19th Century and the challenges which they faced. This drama is a don’t miss presentation.

Presented by Syl Woolford, recognized by the Delaware National Education Association and the NAACP for his contribution to the preservation of African American history. Mr. Woolford is a member of the Delaware Heritage Commission, the Historical and Cultural Affairs Collections Committee, the Historic Preservation Fund, and the Wilmington University History Committee.

This lecture will be recorded and shared for registered patrons.