Lewis Charlton (educator)

He died a speaker in the temperance movement in England, and lived a very eventful life inbetween.

Crippled at 14 months, he was freed in 1842, and founded a school after the Civil War for the education of 'Negro' children in Westminster, Maryland.

She whipped them until they passed out, then would wash their wounds with salt water, and have them return to work in the fields by the next day.

At two weeks of age, Davis's wife forced his mother to leave him alone all day, while she worked for her mistress.

For some 14 months, she locked Lewis in the slave quarters early each morning until late each night without food, water, companionship, or clothing.

He retells that his mother was crying and had him remove his socks to reveal his stumps, in hopes that no one would buy him.

After three years with Getinger, Charlton's legs had frozen stiff while cutting logs in the deep snows.

At age 28 he received his manumission from his owner; however, unsure of his future, he chose to live with a stonecutter named George Burroughs.

Gladding owed Charlton $235 which he was unable to secure, despite an attempt to sue for his wages in court.

According to census records, by 1850, Lewis married Mary and they lived in Harford County, Maryland.

By the time the American Civil War was over, Charlton, who was illiterate, wanted to educate the young black youth in the surrounding area.

[citation needed] These African American schools were to be under the control of the existing county and district boards which already had major issues in the adequate education of white children.