LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) – About 200 years after a former slave broke barriers in Lancaster, efforts to honor his life are underway.
Until recently, not much was known about Scipio Smith. That’s changed due to the work of Michael Johnson, a local historian and Marketing Director for the Fairfield County Heritage Association. As a historian, he spends a lot of time reading books and looking at older documents. About six years ago, an entry caught his attention. It was about Smith.
“Just like a one line entry on Scipio. It talked about a six-foot-four black man with one leg who was the first Black businessman in Lancaster and that’s all there was,” he said.
He said it was the most unique description he’d ever read about Lancaster residents and was determined to find out more.
“First of all I love the underdog story, I love uncovering things that we know little or nothing about and I think it’s important for Lancaster,” Johnson said.
Locally, Johnson was able to learn Smith founded the AME church in town which is now Allen Chapel. Johnson also found reference to him being a slave in Virginia. Eventually through Virginia Untold at the Library of Virginia, he discovered Smith’s emancipation documents.
“This was the major breakthrough,” Johnson said.
Searching for the information then became easier, according to Johnson. Smith had been brought to Lancaster and his full emancipation took effect in 1821 when he was 25 years old. He founded the church about two years later. Johnson learned two years after that, Scipio opened a tinsmith store downtown, becoming Lancaster’s first Black business owner.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal and he’s overcoming a lot, not just racism but his disability as well,” Johnson said.
In 2023 the city put up honorary Scipio Smith street signs. Fundraising is going on to put a statue downtown in the area of where the tinsmith shop was. Johnson said about 40% of the $96,000 needed has been raised.
“I would consider him a local legend, absolutely. A hidden legend. He opened the doors for future Black entrepreneurship and I want to see that celebrated and I want to see that recognized,” Johnson said.
Johnson has told Smith’s story at local schools. Some students in the area have gone on to start their own fundraising efforts to help with the project. Those interested in donating can do so through the Fairfield County Foundation.
“Our Black history has been under acknowledged, ignored, under appreciated,” Johnson said. “And most people are surprised when I show up to talk Black history of Lancaster because they think well there is no Black history in Lancaster, but there is. And it’s a really rich history with a lot of amazing figures.”