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LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) – Nearly 200 years after a former slave broke barriers in Lancaster, efforts are underway to honor his life.
Until recently, not much was known about Scipio Smith. That changed through the work of Michael Johnson, a local historian and marketing director for the Fairfield County Cultural Heritage Association. As a historian, he spends a lot of time reading books and examining old documents. About six years ago, an entry caught his eye. It was about Smith.
“It’s like a one-line entry about Scipio. It was talking about a 6-foot-4, one-legged black man who was Lancaster’s first black businessman, and that was it,” he said.
He said this was the most unique account he had ever read about a Lancaster resident, and he was determined to find out more.
“First of all, I love underdog stories. I love revealing things that we know little or nothing about. And I think that’s important for Lancaster,” Johnson said. .
Locally, Johnson was able to learn that Smith had founded an AME church in town, now Allen Chapel. Johnson also found references that he was a slave in Virginia. Eventually, he discovered Smith’s emancipation documents through the Library of Virginia’s “Virginia Untold.”
“This was a huge step forward,” Johnson said.
After that, Johnson said, finding information became easier. Smith was taken to Lancaster and in 1821, when he was 25 years old, full emancipation took effect. He founded the church about two years later. Johnson learned two years later that Scipio opened a tin shop downtown, becoming Lancaster’s first black business owner.
“It’s really amazing, he’s overcome so much, not just racism, but obstacles,” Johnson said.
In 2023, the city installed an Honorary Scipio Smith street sign. Fundraising efforts are underway to install a statue at the site of a former tin shop downtown. Johnson said about 40 percent of the $96,000 needed has been raised.
“I consider him a local legend, definitely. A hidden legend. He opened the door for future black entrepreneurship and I want to see that celebrated and I want to see that recognized,” Johnson said.
Johnson shared Smith’s story at local schools. Some students in the area have started their own fundraising efforts to support the project. Those interested in donating can do so through the Fairfield County Foundation.
“Our Black history has been underestimated, ignored and undervalued,” Johnson said. “And when I show up to talk about Lancaster’s black history, most people are surprised, because they think there’s no black history in Lancaster, but there is. It’s a really rich history with a lot of great people.”
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