What Kind Of Places Were Used As Stations Of The Underground Railroad?

Hiding places included private homes, churches and schoolhouses. These were called “stations,” “safe houses,” and “depots.” The people operating them were called “stationmasters.” There were many well-used routes stretching west through Ohio to Indiana and Iowa.

Where can I find the Underground Railroad?

• The list of validated or authenticated Underground Railroad and Network to Freedom sites is sorted within state or province, by location. “Keeping the Flames of Freedom Alive”, Underground Railroad Monument in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

What were the tracks of the Underground Railroad?

There were four main routes that the enslaved could follow: North along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to the northern United States and Canada; South to Florida and refuge with the Seminole Indians and to the Bahamas; West along the Gulf of Mexico and into Mexico; and East along the seaboard into Canada.

What cities played a major role in the Underground Railroad?

The cities of Buffalo, Rochester and their surrounding areas helped to play a leading role in the Underground Railroad movement.

Where did the Underground Railroad originate?

The Underground Railroad was created in the early 19th century by a group of abolitionists based mainly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Within a few decades, it had grown into a well-organized and dynamic network. The term “Underground Railroad” began to be used in the 1830s.

Where were stations in Indiana that were part of the Underground Railroad?

Indiana’s Underground Railroad All three paths eventually led to Michigan, then to Canada. (Canada abolished slavery in 1833.) The routes in Indiana went from Posey to South Bend; from Corydon to Porter; and from Madison to DeKalb County, with many stops in between.

Where did the Underground Railroad have safe houses?

In the years leading up to the Civil War, the black abolitionist William Still offered shelter to hundreds of freedom seekers as they journeyed northward.

What were safe houses in the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a secret system developed to aid fugitive slaves on their escape to freedom. The safe houses used as hiding places along the lines of the Underground Railroad were called stations. A lit lantern hung outside would identify these stations.

What areas of New York were apart of the Underground Railroad?

9 Incredible Places Around New York That Were Once Part Of The Underground Railroad

• Starr Clark Tin Shop – Mexico.
• Lewiston – Niagara County.
• John Brown Farm Historic Site – Lake Placid.
• Mother AME Zion Church – New York City.
• Rogues Harbor Inn – Lansing.
• Murphy Orchards – Burt.
• Mission Restaurant – Syracuse.
• St.

Was Indiana part of the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad in Indiana was part of a larger, unofficial, and loosely-connected network of groups and individuals who aided and facilitated the escape of runaway slaves from the southern United States. It is not known how many fugitive slaves escaped through Indiana on their journey to Michigan and Canada.

Where did the Underground Railroad end in Canada?

Chatham, Ontario. The Buxton National Historic Site & Museum commemorates the Elgin Settlement: one of the final stops for the Underground Railroad.

Was there a Underground Railroad?

Nope! Despite its name, the Underground Railroad wasn’t a railroad in the way Amtrak or commuter rail is. It wasn’t even a real railroad. The Underground Railroad of history was simply a loose network of safe houses and top secret routes to states where slavery was banned.

Why did the Underground Railroad take place?

The Underground Railroad was established to aid enslaved people in their escape to freedom. The railroad was comprised of dozens of secret routes and safe houses originating in the slaveholding states and extending all the way to the Canadian border, the only area where fugitives could be assured of their freedom.

Where did slaves settle in Canada?

Fearing for their safety in the United States after the passage of the first Fugitive Slave Law in 1793, over 30,000 slaves came to Canada via the Underground Railroad until the end of the American Civil War in 1865. They settled mostly in southern Ontario, but some also settled in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Places of the Underground Railroad (U.S. National Park Service)

A map of the United States depicting the many paths that freedom seekers might follow in order to attain freedom. NPS provided the image. When enslaved African Americans attempted to obtain their escape via the use of an underground railroad network of routes, safehouses, and resources distributed across the country, they were referred to as “fugitives from justice.” This attempt was frequently spontaneous, with enslaved persons setting off on their quest to liberation on their own initiative.

During the 1820s and 1830s, the United States experienced a surge in the number of people who sought independence from oppression.

In certain instances, the choice to aid a freedom seeking may have been a result of a spur of the moment decision.

Origins of the Underground Railroad

Enslaved people have long sought liberation, dating back to the earliest days of the institution of slavery. Colonial North America – which included Canada and the northern states of the United States – was heavily involved in the slave trade during the nineteenth century. Newly enslaved Africans frequently fled in groups with the intention of establishing new communities in isolated locations. Slavery was particularly widespread in the northern states, making escape extremely difficult. Before the mid-nineteenth century, Spanish Florida and Mexico were the most popular escape destinations for those fleeing bondage.

• The Clemens’ residence is owned by James and Sarah Clemens.
• Following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850 by Congress, Canada became a shelter for many people who were hoping to gain their freedom.
• Those living in free Black communities in the North were devastated by this.
• However, as a result of these seizures and kidnappings, a large number of individuals were persuaded to provide assistance as part of the Underground Railroad.
• Formerly enslaved men and women also played an important part in assisting freedom seekers, such as the Clemens family, in their quest for freedom.
• In addition to establishing a school and a cemetery, they served as a station on the Underground Railroad from their residence.

Several freedom seekers made their way to Greenville as their last destination. Bethel AME Church is a congregation of African-Americans. Photo by Smallbones, used under a Creative Commons license.

The Role of Women in the Underground Railroad

Since the beginning of slavery, enslaved people have been striving for their liberation. In the slave trade, colonial North America — which included Canada and northern states in the United States – played a major role. In order to create new settlements in isolated places, newly enslaved Africans frequently formed groups and fled. Also prevalent in the northern states, slavery made emigrating more difficult. Spanish Florida and Mexico were popular escape destinations for many bondage evaders until the mid-1800s.

• The Clemens’ residence is owned by James and Sarah.
• This measure made it easy and profitable to pay slave catchers to track out and apprehend political dissidents and political prisoners.
• In many cases, slave hunters abducted African Americans who were in fact lawful citizens of the United States.
• Individuals, couples, and even families were among those who took part in the Underground Railroad network.
• The Greenville settlement in western Ohio was founded by James and Sophia Clemens.
• A handful of freedom seekers made their way to Greenville as a last destination.
• Smallbones’s photograph is in the public domain.

Legacy of the Underground Railroad

Locations related with the Underground Railroad may be found all throughout the United States, and a number of national preservation projects are devoted to recording these historical places of significance. In the case of the National Park Service’sNetwork to Freedomprogram, for example, the program includes locations that may be proven to have a link to the Underground Railroad. By working in conjunction with government agencies, people, and organizations to recognize, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, the Network to Freedom hopes to bring attention to this important part of human history.

• The Barney L.
• The public domain is a term used to describe a piece of property that is owned by the public.
• Identification, evaluation, and protection of America’s historic and archeological resources are the goals of this National Park Service initiative, which brings together public and private efforts.
• This is true of places such as theBarney L.
• With the help of the Underground Railroad, Barney was able to escape from his bondage.
• Barney finally settled in Denver, where he made a name for himself as a successful businessman.
• Barney was also an outspoken fighter for African-American civil rights, and he played a crucial part in Colorado’s admittance to the Union as a free state.
• Ford Building contribute to the telling of the tale of the Underground Railroad and its participants – both free and enslaved – in the United States.

Members of the public can assist in the recognition and preservation of locations, structures, and landscapes linked with the Underground Railroad by nominating them to the Network to Freedom or to the National Register of Historic Places.

Underground Railroad

When describing a network of meeting spots, hidden routes, passages, and safehouses used by slaves in the United States to escape slave-holding states and seek refuge in northern states and Canada, the Underground Railroad was referred to as the Underground Railroad (UR). The underground railroad, which was established in the early 1800s and sponsored by persons active in the Abolitionist Movement, assisted thousands of slaves in their attempts to escape bondage. Between 1810 and 1850, it is estimated that 100,000 slaves escaped from bondage in the southern United States.

Facts, information and articles about the Underground Railroad

Aproximate year of birth: 1780

Ended

The beginnings of the American Civil War occurred around the year 1862.

Slaves Freed

Estimates range between 6,000 and 10,000.

Prominent Figures

From 6,000 to 8,000 people are expected to attend

Related Reading:

The Story of How Canada Became the Final Station on the Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman’s Legacy as a Freedom Fighter and a Spion is well documented.

The Beginnings Of the Underground Railroad

Canada’s Role as the Final Station of the Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman’s Legacy as a Freedom Fighter and as a Spione

The Underground Railroad Gets Its Name

Canada’s Role as the Final Station on the Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman’s Legacy: Freedom Fighter and Spy

Conductors On The Railroad

A “conductor,” who pretended to be a slave, would sometimes accompany fugitives to a plantation in order to lead them on their journey. Harriet Tubman, a former slave who traveled to slave states 19 times and liberated more than 300 people, is one of the most well-known “conductors.” She used her shotgun to threaten death to any captives who lost heart and sought to return to slavery. The Underground Railroad’s operators faced their own set of risks as well. If someone living in the North was convicted of assisting fugitives in their escape, he or she could face fines of hundreds or even thousands of dollars, which was a significant sum at the time; however, in areas where abolitionism was strong, the “secret” railroad was openly operated, and no one was arrested.

His position as the most significant commander of the Underground Railroad in and around Albany grew as time went on.

However, in previous times of American history, the phrase “vigilance committee” generally refers to citizen organizations that took the law into their own hands, prosecuting and hanging those suspected of crimes when there was no local government or when they considered the local authority was corrupt or weak.

White males who were found assisting slaves in their escape were subjected to heavier punishments than white women, but both were likely to face at the very least incarceration.

The most severe punishments, such as hundreds of lashing with a whip, burning, or hanging, were reserved for any blacks who were discovered in the process of assisting fugitive fugitives on the loose.

The Civil War On The Horizon

Events such as the Missouri Compromise and the Dred Scott decision compelled more anti-slavery activists to take an active part in the effort to liberate slaves in the United States. After Abraham Lincoln was elected president, Southern states began to secede in December 1860, putting an end to the Union’s hopes of achieving independence from the United States. Abolitionist newspapers and even some loud abolitionists warned against giving the remaining Southern states an excuse to separate. Lucia Bagbe (later known as Sara Lucy Bagby Johnson) is considered to be the final slave who was returned to bondage as a result of the Fugitive Slave Law.

Her owner hunted her down and arrested her in December 1860.

Even the Cleveland Leader, a Republican weekly that was traditionally anti-slavery and pro-the Fugitive Slave Legislation, warned its readers that allowing the law to run its course “may be oil thrown upon the seas of our nation’s difficulties,” according to the newspaper.

In her honor, a Grand Jubilee was celebrated on May 6, 1863, in the city of Cleveland.

The Reverse Underground Railroad

A “reverse Underground Railroad” arose in the northern states surrounding the Ohio River during the Civil War. The black men and women of those states, whether or not they had previously been slaves, were occasionally kidnapped and concealed in homes, barns, and other structures until they could be transported to the South and sold as slaves.

What was the Underground Railroad? : Harriet Tubman

There has sprung up a “reverse Underground Railroad” in northern states that border the Ohio River. The black men and women of those states, whether or whether they had previously been slaves, were occasionally kidnapped and concealed in homes, barns, and other structures until they could be transported to the South and sold as slaves there.

Why was it called Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad; it was a network of people and ideas. Due to the network’s clandestine actions being secret and illegal, it was necessary for them to remain “underground” in order to aid fleeing slaves in their efforts to remain hidden from the authorities. Historically, the word “railroad” was used to describe a developing transportation system whose proponents communicated in secret through the usage of railroad code (also known as railroad code).

The homes where fugitives would rest and dine were referred to as “stations” or “depots,” and the owner of the property was referred to as the “station master,” while the “conductor” was the person in charge of transporting slaves from one station to the next, among other things.

“Stockholders” were those who contributed money, food, and clothes to the Underground Railroad in exchange for a share of the profits. Secret codes and phrases are included in this exhaustive collection.

Organization

With no clearly defined routes, the Underground Railway was a loosely structured network of linkages rather than a well-organized network of connections. They assisted slaves in their journey to freedom by providing them with housing and transportation. Small groups of supporters were formed independently; the majority of them were familiar with a few connecting stations but were unfamiliar with the complete trip. This technique maintained the confidentiality of those participating while also reducing the likelihood of infiltration.

• There was no one path, and there were most likely a number of them.
• These locations are listed on the website of the National Park Service.
• The majority of them traveled on foot and hid in barns or other out-of-the-way locations such as basements and cupboards.
• These committees generated cash to assist fugitives in resettling by providing them with temporary lodging and employment referrals.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Until 1850, fugitives had a minimal probability of being apprehended while residing in free states. Following the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Actas part of the Compromise of 1850, the Underground Railroad was diverted to Canada as its final objective, with the United States being the final destination. In newly constructed settlements in Southern Ontario, tens of thousands of slaves were resettled. In an instant, their work became more difficult and perhaps dangerous. A $1000 fine or six months in jail was imposed on anybody who assisted slaves.

Slave catchers were lavishly compensated, and even free African Americans were subjected to re-education through the destruction of their free documents.

The end of the Underground Railroad

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Confederate states of the United States of America. Following the war’s conclusion, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1865, thereby ending slavery in the whole United States and putting an end to the Underground Railroad’s operations throughout the country.

Supporters of the Underground Railroad

Black and white abolitionists, free blacks, Native Americans, and religious organizations such as the Religious Society of Friends, often known as Quakers and Congregationalists, were among those who sympathized with the network’s goals and objectives. It was the Quakers in Pennsylvania that issued the first demand for the abolition of slavery in the United States in 1688. Levi Coffin, William Still, Frederick Douglass, Thomas Garrett, Samuel Burris, William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, Joh Brown, Anderson Ruffin Abbott, Henry Brown, Obadiah Bush, Asa Drury, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Samuel Green, Gerrit Smith, Lucretia Coffin Mott, and Jermain Loguen are just a few of the most well-known supporters of the Underground Railroad: Levi Coffin, William Still, Frederick More information on the history of the Underground Railroad may be found at the following websites.

From the National Park Service’s Freedom Sites Network The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is located in Washington, D.C.

Supporters of the Underground Railroad, the Underground Railroad Codes, and the Fugitive Slave Act are some of the terms used to describe the Underground Railroad. Under the categories of “popular” and “underground railroad,”

Underground Railroad

See how abolitionists in the United States, like as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Thomas Garrett, assisted enslaved people in their attempts to escape to freedom. Learn about the abolitionist movement in the United States, as well as the importance of the Underground Railroad in this historical period. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. is a publishing company that publishes encyclopedias. View all of the videos related to this topic. When escaped slaves from the South were secretly assisted by sympathetic Northerners, in defiance of the Fugitive Slave Acts, to reach safe havens in the North or Canada, this was referred to as the Underground Railroad in the United States.

Even though it was neither underground nor a railroad, it was given this name because its actions had to be carried out in secret, either via the use of darkness or disguise, and because railroad words were employed in relation to the system’s operation.

In all directions, the network of channels stretched over 14 northern states and into “the promised land” of Canada, where fugitive-slave hunters were unable to track them down or capture them.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, best known for her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, obtained firsthand experience of escaped slaves via her association with the Underground Railroad in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she lived for a time during the Civil War.

The existence of the Underground Railroad, despite the fact that it was only a small minority of Northerners who took part in it, did much to arouse Northern sympathy for the plight of slaves during the antebellum period, while also convincing many Southerners that the North as a whole would never peacefully allow the institution of slavery to remain unchallenged.

When was the first time a sitting president of the United States appeared on television?

Amy Tikkanen has made the most current revisions and updates to this page.

5 Canadian stations of the Underground Railroad

One of the re-enactments of the Freedom Crossing (Wikimedia/Lynn DeLearie/ CC BY-SA 4.0). While there was no genuine railroad, there was a covert network of people — known as abolitionists — who assisted between 30,000 and 40,000 African Americans in their attempts to flee from slavery in the United States.

Slaves who had been freed would find refuge in Canada, as well as in other northern states that had abolished slavery.

John Freeman Walls Underground Railroad MuseumLakeshore, Ontario

One of the re-enactments of the Freedom Crossing (Wikimedia/Lynn DeLearie/ CC BY-SA 4.0) While there was no true railroad, there was a covert network of people — known as abolitionists — who assisted between 30,000 and 40,000 African Americans in their attempts to flee from slavery during the Civil War. Canadians, as well as several Northern states that had abolished slavery, would provide safe haven for fugitive slaves.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic SiteDresden, Ontario

The abolitionist Josiah Henson served as the basis for the character Uncle Tom in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and his renowned cabin was based on a house in Ontario, where he lived at the time of the novel’s publication. Henson was also an abolitionist, and his New Dawn Settlement served as a safe haven for other fugitives fleeing the law. In 1830, he managed to flee to Canada from Kentucky.

Sandwich First Baptist ChurchWindsor, Ontario

The Sandwich First Baptist Church played an important role in the Underground Railroad’s journey through the town. Originally known as Olde Sandwich Towne, it is now a neighbourhood inside the city of Windsor, and was awarded to newly emancipated residents in 1847 by the then-Queen Victoria. As part of Sunday services, the ringing of a specific bell and the beginning of a specific spiritual hymn served as an alert for runaways to seek shelter in the church’s trap door dungeon when bounty hunters passed by.

(Image courtesy of Wikimedia/Public Domain)

Buxton National Historic SiteChatham, Ontario

The Elgin Settlement, which was one of the last sites on the Underground Railroad, is commemorated at the Buxton National Historic Site Museum, which is located on the grounds of the site. This village, founded in 1849 by Rev. William King, was noted for its exceptional educational system and eventually developed into a self-sufficient community of around 2,000 people. Families descended from the first settlers who chose to remain in Canada continue to reside in Buxton today.

Birchtown National Historic SiteBirchtown, Nova Scotia

The Elgin Settlement, which was one of the final sites on the Underground Railroad, is commemorated at the Buxton National Historic Site Museum. Rev. William King established this colony in 1849 as a model of excellence in education that grew into a self-sufficient community of around 2,000 people. Buxton is still inhabited by descendants of the original immigrants who chose to stay in Canada.

Underground Railroad

Page that is easy to print An underground railroad system of persons who supported fleeing slaves in their journey for freedom existed prior to the American Civil War and was called the Underground Railroad. The word, which was in usage between around 1830 and 1860, alludes to the slaves’ ability to flee in a quick and “invisible” manner. In most cases, they concealed during the day and migrated throughout the night. As code phrases, the fugitives and others who assisted them utilized railroad terms: hiding spots were referred to as “stations,” those who provided assistance were referred to as “conductors,” and the runaways themselves were referred to as “passengers” or “freight.” Runaway slaves relied primarily on other slaves and free blacks, who were seldom misled by white members of the Underground Railroad, in addition to white members of the Underground Railroad.

• The most well-known black leader in the movement was Harriet Tubman, a fugitive slave who became renowned as the “Moses” of her people despite the fact that she was illiterate.
• The Society of Friends was the driving force behind the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement in North Carolina, as well as other states (Quakers).
• In 1809, Quaker slaveholders in Guilford County deeded all of their slaves to the North Carolina Yearly Meeting.
• The Manumission Society, subsequently known as the North Carolina Manumission Society, was founded in Guilford County in 1816 and grew to include numerous chapters and over 1,600 members within a few years of its founding.
• Vestal Coffin operated an Underground Railroad station in Guilford County as early as 1819, according to historical records.
• Among the abolitionists in Guilford County, these four men, particularly Levi, were definitely the most well-known.
• As a result of the large number of fugitive slaves who sought temporary shelter in his home, it became known as “Union Station.” The Compromise of 1850, which brought California to the Union as a free state, included the Fugitive Slave Act, which was passed by the United States Congress.
• Southern states believed that this step would be effective in returning slaves to their masters.
• Many authorities and people in the North not only refused to repatriate the fugitives, but they also began to take an active role in the Underground Railroad’s operations in the South.

Most sure, it was not the influx of escaped slaves that had been predicted by antebellum propagandists and subsequent fiction writers (up to 100,000 people). Indeed, it is likely that the actual figure represented just a small proportion of the total number of slaves held in bondage.

Educator Resources:

Page that is easy to print off Prior to the Civil War, the Underground Railroad was a clandestine network of people who supported escaped slaves in their search for freedom. From around 1830 to 1860, the phrase “invisible escape” was commonly used to describe the fast and “invisible” manner in which slaves escaped. When they migrated at night, they tended to hide during the daytime. As code phrases, the fugitives and those who assisted them utilized railroad terms: hiding spots were referred to as “stations,” those who provided assistance were referred to as “conductors,” and the fugitives themselves were referred to as “passengers” or “freight,” respectively.

1. Harriet Tubman, a nonliterate fugitive slave who became regarded as the “Moses” of her people, was the most well-known black leader of the abolitionist struggle.
2. The Society of Friends was the driving force behind the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement in North Carolina and worldwide (Quakers).
3. Quaker slaveholders in Guilford County deeded all of their slaves to the North Carolina Yearly Meeting in 1809.
4. Abolitionist group known as the Manumission Society, which eventually became the North Carolina Manumission Society, was founded in Guilford County in 1816.
5. Following the dissolution of the society in 1834 as a result of legal and other circumstances, many of its members got involved in the Underground Railroad movement.
6. His sons Alfred and Addison, as well as his cousin Levi Coffin, continued on the family business when he passed away.
7. From Newport (now Fountain City), Ind., Levi migrated in 1826 and was given the unofficial title of “presid ent” of the Underground Railroad.

In the South, it was expected that this measure—which required private citizens as well as law enforcement officers to assist in apprehending and returning runaway slaves and imposed severe penalties for those who failed to comply with the statute—would be effective in bringing slaves back to their masters.

Many authorities and individuals in the North not only refused to repatriate the fugitives, but they also became involved in the Underground Railroad on a more active basis.

In any case, it was hardly the influx of escaped slaves that had been predicted by antebellum propagandists and later novelists (up to 100,000 people). Indeed, it is likely that the actual figure represented just a small percentage of the total number of slaves held in bond.

Eastern Illinois University : Teaching with Primary Sources

This page has been optimized for printing. Prior to the Civil War, the Underground Railroad was a clandestine network of persons who supported escaped slaves on their journey to freedom. The word, which was in usage between around 1830 and 1860, alludes to the slaves’ quick and “invisible” escape from their masters. They usually concealed during the day and traveled about at night. The fugitives and others who assisted them communicated using railroad terms as code words: hiding sites were referred to as “stations,” those who assisted the runaways were referred to as “conductors,” and the runaways themselves were referred to as “passengers” or “freight.” Runaway slaves depended mainly on fellow slaves and free blacks, who were seldom misled by white members of the Underground Railroad.

1. The most well-known black leader in the movement was Harriet Tubman, a fugitive slave who became regarded as the “Moses” of her people because of her lack of literacy.
2. The Society of Friends was the driving force behind the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement in North Carolina, as well as abroad (Quakers).
3. Quaker slaveholders in Guilford County deeded all of their slaves to the North Carolina Yearly Meeting, which spent approximately $13,000 relocating black people in northern states, Haiti, and Liberia.
4. The Manumission Society, subsequently known as the North Carolina Manumission Society, was founded in Guilford County in 1816 and quickly grew to include many chapters and over 1,600 members.
5. Vestal Coffin built an Underground Railroad stop in Guilford County as early as 1819.
6. They were definitely the best-known of Guilford County’s abolitionists, with Levi being the most well-known.
7. Southern states anticipated that this measure—which required private individuals as well as law enforcement agents to help in apprehending and returning fugitive slaves and imposed severe fines for those who failed to comply—would be effective in returning slaves to their masters.
8. Many authorities and individuals in the North not only refused to return the fugitives, but they also became involved in the Underground Railroad on a more active level.

Most definitely, it was not the influx of escaped slaves that had been predicted by antebellum propagandists and later novelists (up to 100,000 people). Indeed, it is likely that the actual figure represented just a small proportion of the total number of slaves kept in bondage.

A Dangerous Path to Freedom

Page that can be printed The Underground Railroad was a clandestine network of people who supported fugitive slaves in their search for freedom prior to the American Civil War. The word, which was in usage between around 1830 and 1860, alludes to the slaves’ quick and “invisible” escape from slavery. Typically, they concealed during the day and traveled at night. The fugitives and others who assisted them utilized railroad terminologies as code words: hiding sites were referred to as “stations,” those who assisted the runaways were referred to as “conductors,” and the runaways themselves were referred to as “passengers” or “freight.” In addition to white participants of the Underground Railroad, fleeing slaves depended largely on their fellow slaves and free blacks, who were seldom misled by them.

1. Harriet Tubman, a nonliterate fugitive slave who became regarded as the “Moses” of her people, was the most well-known black leader of the abolitionist movement.
2. The Society of Friends was the driving force behind the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist campaign in North Carolina, as well as other parts of the country (Quakers).
3. The Greensborough Patriot (Greensboro) was the state’s only abolitionist journal at the time.
4. After the group was forced to split in 1834 due to legal and other circumstances, many of its members went on to become engaged in the Underground Railroad.
5. His sons Alfred and Addison, as well as his cousin Levi Coffin, continued his legacy.
6. In 1826, Levi relocated to Newport (now Fountain City), Indiana, where he was given the unofficial title of president of the Underground Railroad.

Southern states expected that this measure, which provided that private citizens as well as law enforcement officers would assist in apprehending and returning runaway slaves and imposed severe penalties for those who failed to comply with the statute, would be effective in returning slaves to their masters.

Many officials and citizens in the North not only refused to repatriate the fugitives, but they also began to take active roles in the Underground Railroad.

It most certainly was not the influx of fleeing slaves predicted by antebellum propagandists and subsequent fiction writers (up to 100,000 people). Indeed, the real number likely constituted just a small proportion of the total number of slaves held in bondage.

ConductorsAbolitionists

Page that is easy to print An underground railroad system of persons who supported fleeing slaves in their journey for freedom existed prior to the American Civil War and was called the Underground Railroad. The word, which was in usage between around 1830 and 1860, alludes to the slaves’ ability to flee in a quick and “invisible” manner. In most cases, they concealed during the day and migrated throughout the night. As code phrases, the fugitives and others who assisted them utilized railroad terms: hiding spots were referred to as “stations,” those who provided assistance were referred to as “conductors,” and the runaways themselves were referred to as “passengers” or “freight.” Runaway slaves relied primarily on other slaves and free blacks, who were seldom misled by white members of the Underground Railroad, in addition to white members of the Underground Railroad.

1. The most well-known black leader in the movement was Harriet Tubman, a fugitive slave who became renowned as the “Moses” of her people despite the fact that she was illiterate.
2. The Society of Friends was the driving force behind the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement in North Carolina, as well as other states (Quakers).
3. In 1809, Quaker slaveholders in Guilford County deeded all of their slaves to the North Carolina Yearly Meeting.
4. The Manumission Society, subsequently known as the North Carolina Manumission Society, was founded in Guilford County in 1816 and grew to include numerous chapters and over 1,600 members within a few years of its founding.
5. Vestal Coffin operated an Underground Railroad station in Guilford County as early as 1819, according to historical records.
6. Among the abolitionists in Guilford County, these four men, particularly Levi, were definitely the most well-known.
7. As a result of the large number of fugitive slaves who sought temporary shelter in his home, it became known as “Union Station.” The Compromise of 1850, which brought California to the Union as a free state, included the Fugitive Slave Act, which was passed by the United States Congress.
8. Southern states believed that this step would be effective in returning slaves to their masters.
9. Many authorities and people in the North not only refused to repatriate the fugitives, but they also began to take an active role in the Underground Railroad’s operations in the South.

Most sure, it was not the influx of escaped slaves that had been predicted by antebellum propagandists and subsequent fiction writers (up to 100,000 people). Indeed, it is likely that the actual figure represented just a small proportion of the total number of slaves held in bondage.

Efforts of Abolitionists Telling Their Story:Fugitive Slave Narratives

Henry Bibb was born into slavery in Kentucky in the year 1815, and he was the son of a slave owner. After several failed efforts to emancipate himself from slavery, he maintained the strength and persistence to continue his struggle for freedom despite being captured and imprisoned numerous times. His determination paid off when he was able to successfully escape to the northern states and then on to Canada with the assistance of the Underground Railroad, which had been highly anticipated. The following is an excerpt from his tale, in which he detailed one of his numerous escapes and the difficulties he faced as a result of his efforts.

• I began making preparations for the potentially lethal experiment of breading the shackles that tied me as a slave as soon as the clock struck twelve.
• On the twenty-fifth of December, 1837, the long-awaited day had finally arrived when I would put into effect my previous determination, which was to flee for Liberty or accept death as a slave, as I had previously stated.
• It took every ounce of moral strength I have to keep my emotions under control as I said goodbye to my small family.
• Despite the fact that every incentive was extended to me in order to flee if I want to be free, and the call of liberty was booming in my own spirit, ‘Be free, oh, man!
• I was up against a slew of hurdles that had gathered around my mind, attempting to bind my wounded soul, which was still imprisoned in the dark prison of mental degeneration.
• Furthermore, the danger of being killed or arrested and deported to the far South, where I would be forced to spend the rest of my days in hopeless bondage on a cotton or sugar plantation, all conspired to discourage me.
• The moment has come for me to follow through on my commitment.
• This marked the beginning of the construction of what was known as the underground rail route to Canada.

For nearly forty-eight hours, I pushed myself to complete my journey without food or rest, battling against external difficulties that no one who has never experienced them can comprehend: “not knowing when I might be captured while traveling among strangers, through cold and fear, braving the north winds while wearing only a thin layer of clothing, pelted by snow storms through the dark hours of the night, and not a single house in which I could enter to protect me from the storm.” This is merely one of several accounts penned by runaway slaves who were on the run from their masters.

Sojourner Truth was another former slave who became well-known for her work to bring slavery to an end.

Green and many others, including Josiah Henson, authored autobiographies in which they described their own personal experiences.

Perhaps a large number of escaped slaves opted to write down their experiences in order to assist people better comprehend their struggles and tribulations; or perhaps they did so in order to help folks learn from the mistakes of the past in order to create a better future for themselves.

Underground Railroad, The (1820-1861)

Smuggled fugitives through the Underground Railroad during the winter seasonThe Underground Railroad was constructed to help enslaved persons in their escape to freedom. The railroad network was made up of dozens of hidden routes and safe houses that began in slaveholding states and extended all the way to the Canadian border, which was the only place where fugitives could be certain of their freedom. From Florida to Cuba, or from Texas to Mexico, there were shorter routes that took you south.

The Underground Railroad’s success was dependent on the collaboration of previous runaway slaves, free-born blacks, Native Americans, and white and black abolitionists who assisted in guiding runaway slaves along the routes and providing their houses as safe havens for the fugitive slave population.

• The Underground Railroad in the Nineteenth Century New York Public Library’s Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, part of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, provided this photograph.
• The railroad employed conductors, among them William Still of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was likely the most well-known of the group.
• Slave-hiding spots were called stations, and stationmasters were individuals who hid slaves in their houses.
• The Underground Railroad functioned as a number of interconnected networks.
• Those responsible for leading the fugitive slaves north did so in stages.
• The “freight” would be transferred on to the next conductor once it reached another stop, and so on until the full journey had been completed.
• When the Underground Railroad was successful, it engendered a great deal of hostility among slaveholders and their friends.

The law was misused to a tremendous extent.

Due to the fact that African Americans were not permitted to testify or have a jury present during a trial, they were frequently unable to defend themselves.

Ironically, the Fugitive Slave Act fueled Northern opposition to slavery and contributed to the outbreak of the American Civil War.

A large number of those who escaped became human witnesses to the slave system, with many of them traveling on the lecture circuit to explain to Northerners what life was like as a slave in the slave system.

It was the success of the Underground Railroad in both situations that contributed to the abolition of slavery.

Blaine Hudson, Encyclopedia of the Underground Railroad (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, 2006); David W.

Instructions for Citing This Article (in APA Format): Waggoner, C., and Waggoner, C. (n.d.). The Underground Railroad was in operation from 1820 until 1861). Project on the History of Social Welfare. It was retrieved from

Tour the Underground Railroad in Bucks County

A new life was symbolized by the Underground Railroad for thousands of escaped slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it continues to do so today. Runaways depended on abolitionists and generous towns to assist them on their trek northward through this covert network of hidden, secure sites. From bars and churches to privately held farms, Bucks County was home to a slew of notable train stations, many of which are still open to the public today. Follow the steps on this list to follow the path that many people travelled in their quest for freedom.

1870 Wedgwood Inn

A new life was represented by the Underground Railroad for thousands of escaped slaves during the 18th and 19th centuries. Runaways depended on abolitionists and generous towns to assist them on their trek northward through this covert network of hidden, safe sites during the Civil War. Bucks County was the site of several notable train stations, ranging from pubs and churches to privately held farms, many of which may still be visited to this day. You may trace the route taken by numerous people in their quest for freedom by following this list.

African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church

The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) is the oldest African American church in Bensalem and a former Underground Railroad safe post, having been built over 200 years ago. Hundreds of slaves were rowed up the Delaware River by Robert Purvis, an abolitionist and one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society, from Philadelphia to the church and their farm in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It is estimated that he assisted around 9,000 fugitives in fleeing, making him one of the most influential men in Bucks County who was linked with abolitionism at the time.

Leroy Allen, an escaped slave from Roanoke, Virginia, sought refuge here before joining the Union Army to fight for his freedom in the war against slavery.

The Archambault House

The Archambault House, which is most notable for the exquisite iron grillwork on its porch, was a station on the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War and is now a museum. Joseph O. Archambault, a dentist, innkeeper, postmaster, and previous proprietor of the Brick Hotel, assisted slaves in their efforts to continue their journey north. Please keep in mind that this is a private property, so please keep your distance.

Bristol

The Archambault House, which is most notable for the exquisite iron grillwork on its porch, was a station on the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War and is now a historical landmark.

Joseph O. Archambault, a dentist, innkeeper, postmaster, and previous proprietor of the Brick Hotel, aided slaves in their efforts to continue their journey up the Mississippi. It is important to note that this is a private house, so please keep your distance when viewing.

Buckingham Friends Meeting House

In 1776, members of the Buckingham Meeting House (also known as the Solebury Friends Meeting House) voted to abolish the practice of slave ownership. Following the kidnapping of Benjamin “Big Ben” Jones, a local slave and well-known personality, abolitionists presented a series of anti-slavery lectures in this area and in Lambertville, Pennsylvania. Today, the meetinghouse serves as a venue for community gatherings.

Continental Tavern

Additionally, the Continental Tavern (which served as the Continental Hotel in its heyday), the Yardley Grist Mill (a former mill that supplied sorghum and meal to Union soldiers), and Lakeside (one of the area’s earliest homes) were believed to have been stops on the Railroad that were connected by an underground tunnel system. Today, the Continental Tavernis well-known for its happy hour and delectable supper menus. You should try one of their signature dishes, such as the Continental Bacon Burger or the Striped Bass, which goes nicely with one of their bottled craft beers.

Doylestown

In addition to the Continental Tavern (which was once known as the Continental Hotel in the 1800s), the Yardley Grist Mill (a former mill that supplied sorghum and meal to Union soldiers) and Lakeside (one of the earliest homes in the area) were believed to have been stops on the Railroad that were linked by an underground tunnel system. Today, the Continental Tavernis well-known for its happy hour and delectable meals. You should try one of their signature dishes, such as the Continental Bacon Burger or the Striped Bass, which goes well with one of their bottled craft beers.

Harriet Tubman Memorial Statue

It is believed that the Continental Tavern (formerly known as the Continental Hotel in the 1800s), the Yardley Grist Mill (a former mill that supplied sorghum and meal to Union soldiers), and Lakeside (one of the earliest homes in the area) were all stops on the Railroad that were connected by an underground tunnel system. Today, the Continental Tavernis well-known for its happy hour and delectable supper menu. Try one of their signature dishes, such as the Continental Bacon Burger or the Striped Bass, which goes nicely with one of their bottled craft beers.

Langhorne

As a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, Langhorne (then known as the village of Attleboro) served as a link between Princeton, New Jersey, and New York City. Bucks County’s first free black settlements were established in Attleboro, and the American Methodist Episcopal church, founded in 1809, is the oldest congregation of its kind to have been established in the county.

There are African-American Union Army veterans buried in several of Bucks County’s different cemeteries, including the Langhorne Cemetery. It was named after Jeremiah Langhorne, a former chief judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, who died in 1876 and inspired the renaming of the town.

Mount Gilead Church

Attleboro was a town near Langhorne, New Jersey, that functioned as an Underground Railroad stop during the American Civil War. Langhorne was formerly known as Attleboro. Attleboro was the site of one of the earliest free black settlements in Bucks County, and the American Methodist Episcopal church, founded in 1809, is the oldest such congregation to have been established in the county. In several of Bucks County’s many cemeteries, including the Langhorne Cemetery, there are Union Army soldiers who were African-American.

Newtown Theatre

In the early 1850s, the Newtown Theatre, which is the world’s oldest continuously functioning movie theater, was known as Newtown Hall. It is currently known as the Newtown Theatre. It was a favorite gathering place for town meetings and anti-slavery demonstrations. Several notable abolitionists, including Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass, are recorded as having spoken at this event.

New Hope

The town of New Hope served as the terminus of the Underground Railroad in the county of Bucks. In this location, slaves would cross the Delaware River into New Jersey, where they would continue their trek north. Are you a history buff who enjoys learning new things? While in town, pay a visit to the Parry Mansion Museum for a guided tour of the building’s history. The home, which was built in 1784 by one of New Hope’s founders, Benjamin Parry, contains furniture in 11 rooms that illustrate the estate’s 125-year history of décor.

Quakertown

It was New Hope, Pennsylvania, that marked the conclusion of the Underground Railroad in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey, slaves would proceed on their trip northward from this point. A history buff at heart, are you? Take a guided history tour of the Parry Mansion Museum while you’re in town while you’re in town The home, which was built in 1784 by one of New Hope’s founding fathers, Benjamin Parry, has furniture in 11 rooms that illustrate 125 years of design evolution.

Richard Moore House

The town of New Hope served as the terminus of the Underground Railroad in Bucks County during the Civil War. Slaves would use this point to cross the Delaware River into New Jersey and continue their trek north. Do you have a strong interest in history? While in town, pay a visit to the Parry Mansion Museum for a guided tour of the historic building. The home, which was built in 1784 by one of New Hope’s founders, Benjamin Parry, contains furniture in 11 rooms that show 125 years of décor.

Yardley

Several locations in Yardley, including a white-columned mansion on South Main Street, a shop on Afton Avenue, a house on South Canal Street, the Old Library, the borough Baptist and American Methodist Episcopal churches, and a stone house on River Road, were likely hiding places for fugitive slaves. For those who are interested in the genuine narrative of fugitive slave Big Ben seeking freedom from Maryland in Bucks County, we recommend seeing the film The North Star, which was shot in Bucks County and depicts the true story of runaway slave Big Ben seeking freedom from Maryland.

Do you want to know more about the history? Visit the African American Museum of Bucks County’s events calendar for more information!

Explore Bucks County’s TownsMain Streets