Black History Month: The story of Nathaniel Nace Hopkins

TRAPPE, Md. – To continue Black History Month coverage, WMDT presents the life of Nathan Nace Hopkins. The man who helped enslaved people in Talbot County become free. He did that not only physically, but mentally, and emotionally. His great-great-grandchild, Dale Kevin Brown, said his significance to the area is enormous.

“I’d be willing to bet Uncle Nace was to Trappe and the state of Maryland, what Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman were to the nation.”

Born enslaved in 1831, Nace Hopkins joined the army in 1863, but returned in 1864 because of illness. Brown said he always put family and community first.

“Even though he was illiterate, he had a great desire for his children to be educated. He always wanted his children’s children to be educated.”

Shortly after his return, Hopkins founded Emancipation Day, commemorating Maryland’s emancipation of enslaved people. Then in 1878, he founded the first black school in Trappe. He even had a hand in creating what is now known as Scott’s United Methodist Church.

Brown told WMDT, that Hopkins kept his relationship with his slave owner. He used it as a way for money and to empower other newly freed individuals. “He made it known, that you could still stay with your slave owner, but you worked for pay now because you were no longer a slave.”

Hopkins worked alongside his white counterparts, and often during this time, race determined respect. Many people viewed African Americans as less than others, but Nace didn’t take no for an answer. He worked with other races to fund his emancipation day, and eventually called it ‘Nace Day’. Using his added networks, his work made the celebration one of Trappe’s longest-standing traditions.

“It is one of the few emancipation proclamation celebrations in Maryland, and probably the entire United States, especially one that is 157 years strong.”

His work has shaped the area and county for several years after his death. Brown said he is truly a folk hero for the community. “If you talk to people white or black in the community, they also recognize the work he did, and the importance of the celebration.”

Nathan Nace Hopkins died in 1900, but his work will last forever.

Nace Day is held every year, and this year will be its 158th iteration. The event will take place at Scott’s United Methodist Church in November.