A community that was once a haven for free African Americans is now working to preserve its history.Wilsontown, founded in 1870, is situated at the end of Conway Road off Maryland Route 3. It’s tucked so far back that many miss the area and its rich history.Recent attention, however, put it back on the map.The town’s history centers around St. John A.M.E. Zion Church — a focal point of faith.”It’s the total history of Wilsontown,” said Lillian Rollins. “We ate, breathed and slept church.”Rollins, her sister, Everdean Holloway, and their cousin, Bessie Queen, all grew up in Wilsontown. They grew up in one house with 21 family members while attending the church.”Some of us have become pastors, evangelists, elders and bishops because of the foundation that was set in this church,” said Holloway, who is now a pastor herself.Before the church was a spiritual foundation for Rollins, Holloway and Queen, and before it was even in its current building, it was a foundation for a better future for free African Americans.It all started when the Quakers first built the Indian Spring Meeting House in 1792 not far from what’s now St. John A.M.E. Zion Church. The Quakers, who were known to be abolitionists, allowed free African Americans to meet, host school and worship there.It’s also believed to have been a destination on the Underground Railroad, and there’s an ongoing effort to get it designated as such.”The Quakers initially released the slaves prior to the emancipation,” Queen said.Not only did the Quakers release slaves and provide a safe haven, but they also provided property. Indian Spring Meeting House became Forks African Methodist Episcopal Church in the late 19th century, later relocated and renamed St. John A.M.E. Zion Church.A Quaker also deeded 77 acres of land in the area to three African American brothers — the Wilson brothers.”This is grandma Anna and grandpa Isaiah,” said Rollins, pointing to their gravesites at the cemetery behind St. John. “Isaiah was one of the three brothers: Dennis, Isaiah and John; they are the ones that were designated 77 acres from the Quakers.”And, that’s how Wilsontown came to be.Rollins, Holloway and Queen were not aware of that history until around the COVID-19 pandemic, when volunteers with the Odenton Heritage Society reached out and shared their research along with landmarks from the past.”It’s like, Eureka,” Rollins said. “We come from freed slaves. Knowing that this is called Wilsontown because we’re descendants of Wilsontown, it’s just a blessing to know, with all that’s going on today, to know part of your history.”Now, Rollins, Holloway and Queen want others to know the history of Wilsontown, too, and how it is centered around the focal point of faith — which has stood the test of time.”One thing hasn’t changed is the caring and support that we have, and that faith really exhibited from the Quakers as they were symbolic to the slaves, and they kept the faith,” Queen told WBAL-TV 11 News.Visitors can learn more about Wilsontown at the Odenton Heritage Society Historical Center, where they are unveiling a new installation about Wilsontown and St. John A.M.E. Zion Church taking place from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.
A community that was once a haven for free African Americans is now working to preserve its history.
Wilsontown, founded in 1870, is situated at the end of Conway Road off Maryland Route 3. It’s tucked so far back that many miss the area and its rich history.
Recent attention, however, put it back on the map.
The town’s history centers around St. John A.M.E. Zion Church — a focal point of faith.
“It’s the total history of Wilsontown,” said Lillian Rollins. “We ate, breathed and slept church.”
Rollins, her sister, Everdean Holloway, and their cousin, Bessie Queen, all grew up in Wilsontown. They grew up in one house with 21 family members while attending the church.
“Some of us have become pastors, evangelists, elders and bishops because of the foundation that was set in this church,” said Holloway, who is now a pastor herself.
Before the church was a spiritual foundation for Rollins, Holloway and Queen, and before it was even in its current building, it was a foundation for a better future for free African Americans.
It all started when the Quakers first built the Indian Spring Meeting House in 1792 not far from what’s now St. John A.M.E. Zion Church. The Quakers, who were known to be abolitionists, allowed free African Americans to meet, host school and worship there.
It’s also believed to have been a destination on the Underground Railroad, and there’s an ongoing effort to get it designated as such.
“The Quakers initially released the slaves prior to the emancipation,” Queen said.
Not only did the Quakers release slaves and provide a safe haven, but they also provided property. Indian Spring Meeting House became Forks African Methodist Episcopal Church in the late 19th century, later relocated and renamed St. John A.M.E. Zion Church.
A Quaker also deeded 77 acres of land in the area to three African American brothers — the Wilson brothers.
“This is grandma Anna and grandpa Isaiah,” said Rollins, pointing to their gravesites at the cemetery behind St. John. “Isaiah was one of the three brothers: Dennis, Isaiah and John; they are the ones that were designated 77 acres from the Quakers.”
And, that’s how Wilsontown came to be.
Rollins, Holloway and Queen were not aware of that history until around the COVID-19 pandemic, when volunteers with the Odenton Heritage Society reached out and shared their research along with landmarks from the past.
“It’s like, Eureka,” Rollins said. “We come from freed slaves. Knowing that this is called Wilsontown because we’re descendants of Wilsontown, it’s just a blessing to know, with all that’s going on today, to know part of your history.”
Now, Rollins, Holloway and Queen want others to know the history of Wilsontown, too, and how it is centered around the focal point of faith — which has stood the test of time.
“One thing hasn’t changed is the caring and support that we have, and that faith really exhibited from the Quakers as they were symbolic to the slaves, and they kept the faith,” Queen told WBAL-TV 11 News.
Visitors can learn more about Wilsontown at the Odenton Heritage Society Historical Center, where they are unveiling a new installation about Wilsontown and St. John A.M.E. Zion Church taking place from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.
