“The Black Doctor of the Pines” – The Legacy of Dr. James Still & the Still Family
February 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Significance of the Still Family to the 1800’s American History:
From the Peculiar Institution of Slavery to Freedom
Samuel Still’s presentation describes the early beginnings of two former enslaved Africans Levin and Charity Still and their progeny. Three of their sons became notable historical figures in the 1800’s. The presentation includes brief biographies on William Still (1821-1902) a major conductor of the Underground Railroad, his brother Peter Still (1801- 1868) who was left in slavery as a young boy and survived 40 years to reunite with his family, and Dr. James Still (1812-1882) a self taught herbalist, who became one of the wealthiest African Americans in New Jersey during the 1800’s. The Still family is a real life story of an American family raised with strong work values as well as pride and self-determination to persevere through life challenges despite the lack of formal education and prejudices.
His presentation will also touch on the present day community efforts to preserve, educate, and restore the historic medical office of Dr. James Still. Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center, located in Medford, NJ is a 18 acre NJ State Park. It is managed by a group of volunteers of Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association. It is currently the only NJ State Park that recognizes the significance of an African American contribution to the history of New Jersey.
Presenter: Samuel C. Still III is the 3rd Great Grandson of Levin and Charity Still. His 3rd great grandparents were the parents of William Still. William Still was proclaimed by the New York Times in their 1902 obituary of William Still “The Father of the Underground Railroad”. Samuel began telling his family’s story at 13 years old in local elementary schools in southern New Jersey where he grew up. As a child, his father Samuel Still Jr. would take him on long hikes in and around the Pine Barrens of New Jersey where Levin and Charity raised their 18 children. They would visit the old family homestead in Shamong Township and other places that were part of the family history. They would attend the numerous family reunions that were held every year in different towns in New Jersey, always taking notes on the stories from other family members.
As an adult, Samuel Still has given presentations about his family’s history at local schools, a few universities, and numerous celebrations of Black History. He has done significant research on the Levin and Charity Steel-Still progeny. He has spent countless hours tracing his family ancestry through slavery into the present day. In 2005 he worked with other family members to get “The Underground Railroad” back in print and was given the prestigious honor of writing the Still Family Preface in that edition. He has written foreword to the 2015 edition of “Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still” and 2023 edition of William Still’s “Underground Railroad”. He is the Executive Director of the Dr. James Still Historical Office Site Association. Samuel holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. He is a former US Coast Guard Commissioned Officer, a construction project manager, a historian, a motorcycle enthusiast, and a semi-professional photographer. He is very passionate about telling his family history and learning more about their importance in American history.
