A Former Slave Who Lived Happily in Ambler
- Yen Ho
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
From what we knew from history class, runaway slaves seek refuge in the home of Northern abolitionists as they travel up to the Northern. There hasn't been a story about a slave who settled in a town where racism hardly exists. It wasn't until I decided to search through the Ambler Gazette archives to see if there was a former slave who lived in our community. I was fortunate to find a name: Spencer Williams.
What Do We Know About Spencer Williams?
Spencer Williams was born in South Carolina (possibly Charleston). From the Ambler Gazette that spoke of his death, it said he was playing at the wharves until a Yankee sea captain asked him to go on board the ship with him to New York City. The newspaper even compared him to a character named Topsy from Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Similar to Topsy, he "just grew."
"A young slave child from abusive circumstances, Topsy is purchased by St. Clare and given to Ophelia in order that she might raise her and teach her Christian values. Initially Topsy misbehaves, but after befriending Eva and learning to love her, and to be loved, Topsy accepts Christian teachings and moves north with Miss Ophelia, who purchases Topsy and frees her, treating her as a daughter."
- Topsy: Character Analysis (LitCharts)
At the age of 45, he moved to Ambler and took jobs at farms and as a teamster, also known as drivers of horse-drawn wagons. With enough money earned, he was able to establish himself and bought his own estate. He was known as "Old Spence" by the Ambler community. Spencer was married twice and had a daughter.
Throughout his life in Ambler, he lived mostly on North Street where he made improvements on his home. On that street was the Zion Baptist Church where he played a special role during its construction. His funeral was held at the Emanuel AUMP Church on the same street. He died around the age of 75 in 1924.
In Relation to History
It was after the Civil War America was rebuilding itself, which became known as the Reconstruction Era. It was this era when Republicans pushed for citizenship and voting rights for former slaves while the South remained the same, but many (including former slaves) were left in poverty after the war. Southerners continued to support segregation and brought the rise of the KKK.
Despite the political struggle, former slaves were able to do incredible things in their lives.
Bibliography
"How Ex-Slaves Built New Lives for Themselves – and America – After the Civil War" History on the Net. Salem Media. August 11, 2025. https://www.historyonthenet.com/how-ex-slaves-built-new-lives-for-themselves-and-america-after-the-civil-war.
"Topsy: Character Analysis." LitCharts. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/uncle-tom-s-cabin/characters/topsy.
"Town Topics." Ambler Gazette. December 18, 1924. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_14886.
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