Freedom Up the Susquehanna: The Paca-Peaco Family and My Underground Railroad Roots
This article is going to be dedicated to one of the most interesting discoveries I've made on my genealogical journey. Through my paternal grandmother, I discovered that I had ancestors that were free people of color that resided in Harford and Cecil Counties in Maryland. These states lie right on the border of Pennsylvania and Maryland, right at the Mason-Dixon line. My third great grandfather, Augustus Sergeant Norton Jr. was born in Philadelphia sometime between on March 6, 1887, being my first known ancestor to have been born there, making me a 6th generation Philadelphian. Augustus's father, Augustus Norton Sr . was the son of Reverend Francis H. Norton , a free mixed race AME preacher and Anne Elizabeth Peaco , a free Black woman, both hailing from Harford County, Maryland. This article will be focused particularly on Anne Peaco's family. The Peaco Family is heavily rooted in Harford County, Maryland, particularly in an area known as Darlington. The surnam...