Two People Buried in the Lincoln Cemetery

Owen Robinson could not remember his birthday, but there was one day he would never forget. It was November 5, 1817, the day he was set free as a slave.

Owen Robinson: From Slavery to Community Leader

Born in Maryland during the turn of the century, Owen was born into slavery. His luck changed one day when his southern master decided to set him free. He traveled north to start a new life and found himself in a small town north of the Mason Dixon line, in Pennsylvania, called Gettysburg.

There he started a confectionary shop popular for ice cream in the summer and oysters in the winter. Both black and white residents of the town frequented the shop, and Owen was well-liked by the adults and children in the town. The 1860 census listed Robinson as "confectioner".

Charles McCurdy, a Gettysburg resident, recounts his memories of Owen and his shop in his memoir:

"He kept a little restaurant where he sold oysters in the winter and ice cream in summer, and one of my delights as a boy, was to hang around his shop and watch the fascinating process of making the latter…" (Charles McCurdy, "Gettysburg: A Memoir").

Life Under Constant Threat

Owen and his family, along with the other African-American residents in the town, were always on alert for the possibility of a Confederate invasion, knowing what a danger this would pose to them especially.

"Whenever there was a report that the Rebels were coming he would decamp with his family for a place of safety, and not return until the coast was clear."

In June of 1863, after many false alarms, the townspeople became aware of the certainty of the Southern army's arrival into Gettysburg.

"This time there could be no doubt that the dreaded enemy was at hand, and the Robinson family joined the exodus of the colored population."

Building Community After the War

In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, Owen was one of the founding members of the Sons of Good Will, who joined together to take care of the sick and to raise funds to build a cemetery for the community of African-Americans in Gettysburg.

In 1867, The Lincoln Cemetery was built and was originally known as the Goodwill Cemetery; 450 local citizens were buried there, as well as 30 veterans from the United States Colored Troops (USCT).

Owen Robinson lived in Gettysburg until his death on August 27, 1900, and is buried in the Lincoln Cemetery.

Margaret Palm: Courage in the Face of Adversity

Margaret Palm lived in Gettysburg, along with 190 other free African-Americans, making up about 8% of the town's population. She rented a shack on Emmitsburg Road, from Abraham Brian, and lived there with her husband Alf Palm and their child.

Like many African-American women in the Gettysburg community, Mag made a living by scrubbing floors and washing clothes. One winter night in 1858, slave-owners from Maryland attempted to kidnap her and sell her into slavery. Mag was attacked by two men who tried to tie her hands and take her away. She fought off both of them.

Surviving the Battle

During the months leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg, African-American members of the Gettysburg community began fleeing their homes, for fear that their freedom and safety would be in jeopardy, once the Confederates invaded the town.

During the battle, her home was occupied by the Union army and eventually destroyed by the fighting on the last day of the battle, July 3, 1863.

Rebuilding After Loss

Despite hardships in her marriage, as her husband drank and was prone to fits of rage, Mag managed to buy her own home after the battle was over. She continued to still struggle financially and was never able to stop beating rugs and scrubbing floors for a living.

Mag passed away in October of 1896 from a heart ailment. She was buried in the Lincoln Cemetery in Gettysburg, among many other African-American civilians of the town.

Leadership Lessons from Forgotten Lives

The stories of Owen Robinson and Margaret Palm offer powerful insights for modern leaders:

Resilience in Uncertain Times

Both Owen and Margaret lived with constant uncertainty - Owen fled whenever Confederate raids threatened, while Margaret faced attempted kidnapping and domestic violence. Yet both persevered and built meaningful lives.

Modern Application: Leaders today face their own uncertainties - market changes, technological disruption, global events. Like Owen and Margaret, we must develop the ability to adapt quickly while maintaining our core purpose.

Community Building

Owen didn't just succeed individually - he helped create institutions (the Sons of Good Will, Lincoln Cemetery) that served his entire community for generations.

Modern Application: True leadership extends beyond personal success to building systems and communities that outlast us. What institutions are you helping to create or strengthen?

Economic Independence Through Service

Both Owen and Margaret found ways to serve their community while building economic independence - Owen through his popular confectionary shop, Margaret through essential domestic services.

Modern Application: The most sustainable businesses solve real problems for their communities. How can your leadership create value for others while building something lasting?

Courage Under Pressure

Margaret's fight against her would-be kidnappers and her determination to buy her own home despite financial struggles demonstrate extraordinary courage.

Modern Application: Leadership often requires standing up to threats and pursuing goals despite obstacles. What challenges are you avoiding that require more courage?

Dignity in All Circumstances

Despite facing systemic racism, economic hardship, and personal challenges, both maintained their dignity and contributed meaningfully to their community.

Modern Application: How we handle adversity defines our character. True leaders maintain their values and treat others with respect regardless of circumstances.

The Power of Remembering

These stories remind us that leadership comes in many forms. Owen Robinson and Margaret Palm weren't famous generals or politicians, but they demonstrated the everyday leadership that builds communities and creates lasting change.

In our corporate environments, we often focus on high-profile leaders while overlooking the quiet leaders who:

Create welcoming environments for all colleagues
Build systems and processes that serve everyone
Persist through challenges with dignity
Use their success to lift others up

Questions for Reflection

What institutions or systems are you helping to create that will outlast your tenure?
How do you maintain dignity and purpose when facing uncertainty or adversity?
Who are the "forgotten leaders" in your organization whose contributions deserve recognition?
What threatens your community's wellbeing, and how can you help build resilience against those threats?
How can you use your success to create opportunities for others, especially those facing systemic barriers?

The Lincoln Cemetery still stands in Gettysburg today, a testament to the vision and community spirit of leaders like Owen Robinson. Margaret Palm's story reminds us that courage and determination can overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

Their lives teach us that true leadership isn't about titles or recognition - it's about service, resilience, and the daily choice to build something better for those who come after us.

Sources: Gettysburg Magazine and Writing History Literature