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 politically powerful Delawareans.

These contacts gave Joshua access to the rich and the powerful of the state of Delaware. 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 Delaware to vote Republican.

In 1892, A. Worthington Brinckley came to Dover to convince the African American Community that they should leave the Republican Party and join his all African American “Independent Colored Republican 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 they faced. This drama is a don’t miss presentation.

WIth history and genealogy lecturer Syl Woolford.