Biography:
Mr. James Summers is buried in Ellsworth Cemetery, outside of Westminster, Maryland.
Mr. Summers was born in the early part of the 19th century, in Maryland. His birth year has been variously recorded as 1813, 1821 and 1825. He was likely enslaved, most probably by Mr. Michael Zimmerman.
He and his wife, Harriett, are first found in the official record in the 1870 Federal Census. They are living with children, who are likely their daughters (Sarah and Harriett), as well as a boy named Thomas Keys. He worked on local farms as a day laborer, while Mrs. Summers worked as a washer woman.
In 1880, they are living in Westminster, among other Black residents of the town. Neither knew how to read or write.
Mr. Summers died in 1888 on January 18th. A short obituary was published in the Democratic Advocate, a local paper.
His headstone is in need of repair in the historic Ellsworth Cemetery near Westminster, Maryland.
Manumission
21 Jan 1888 Democratic Advocate
Section of Mr. Michael Zimmerman's will, manumitting James Summers
Headstone
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