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History > Families > Early "Doers" > Enoch George Howard

Enoch George Howard

Born a slave, Enoch George Howard (1814-95) purchased his freedom from the Griffith family of Unity in 1851, then bought freedom for his wife Harriett Ann Lee and their four children, price 25 cents each. In 1862 he purchased the Gaither farm and later two more, acquiring a total of 900 acres to become the county's largest black landowner. With no black schools in the county and education sorely needed, Howard acted. Wrote great-grandson Harold Howard, "in 1867 he petitioned the Montgomery County Government for a school to educate black students, posting collateral and a parcel of land for the school, which opened around 1880." Descendants included educators, journalists, and magistrates and leave their name in Howard Chapel Road near Unity.

Contact Roberta Gasparre at the Washington Revels to bring this fascinating history to life, with actor Matt Pearson as the young Enoch George Howard.. The Museum and the Revels sincerely thank the Howard family for their help in developing this performance.