The Early Census records

Creating the foundation of the facts to build from:

1791 Easton              212 All African Americans
1800 Easton *area    150 Free African Americans        39 Free African American Households
1810                          No data available
1820 Easton              228 Free African Americans        46 Free African American Households
1830 Easton *area    273 Free African Americans        62 Free African American Households
1850 Easton              277 Free African Americans        78 Free African American Households

*area = estimated town boundaries

A Treasure Trove

A Treasure Trove of Pictures

One of the pre-Civil War photos from this collection

An amazing collection of photographs the Library of Congress is making available to all of us.

Please read the Washington Post article linked above and be sure to view the slide shows. 

Mary Robinson

and it shall be done ..

Asbury UMC
Higgins Street, Easton

Through the efforts of the church members, trustees and Historic Easton this historic church will be preserved.  The work is primarily funded by Maryland African American Heritage Preservation Program. Work is being done under the expert guidance of local architect Ward Bucher and Nakita Reed of Encore Sustainable Design.

The Asbury congregation is quickly coming up on its 180th anniversary. Renovations to its church building on Higgins Street will preserve and restore the late 19th century features. Frederick Douglass dedicated this building in 1878;  the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church community was active in Easton from before the time of his escape. Carlene Phoenix is working diligently to secure much more of its written church history. 

Anything you know about the church or old photographs will be gladly accepted. 

Does anyone remember the round window on the tower before it was broken??

If so, please contact us.

A Mens Meeting

Courtesy of Talbot Historical Society

Please Help Us Identify These Gentlemen
We're not sure what mens group held their meeting at the Asbury Church, but it would be
wonderful to have them identified.
A great find!

Click on the picture to enlarge

Use the comment feature to share your knowledge

Thanks so much! 

Mary Gibbs

Mary Gibbs

Mary Gibbs lived on Higgins Street just across from the Asbury ME Church in Easton.  

Can you help us tell Mary's story?