John Parker, inventor and businessman, was also a prominent Underground Railroad conductor before the Civil War. He was reputedly responsible for the rescue of nearly 1,000 enslaved people between 1845 and 1865.
When did Parker escape slavery?
John Parker was born a slave. In 1845, he purchased his freedom and eventually made his way to Indiana and Ohio, settling in Ripley in 1850.
How did John Parker help with the Underground Railroad?
Parker, who was African American, helped hundreds of slaves to freedom in the Underground Railroad resistance movement based in Ripley, Ohio. He saved and rescued fugitive slaves for nearly fifteen years. He was one of the few black people to patent an invention before 1900.
Why did John Parker help the slaves?
As soon as he gained his freedom, Parker helped others escape slavery as an Underground Railroad conductor. Despite being well known to regional slave catchers, Parker risked his life to guide slaves from Kentucky to Ohio, opening his home as a shelter for runaways.
How long did it take John P Parker to buy his freedom?
For eighteen years he tried to escape slavery. Meanwhile, he learned the trade of iron molding. At length he managed to save enough money to buy his freedom. He made his way north, married, and settled in the town of Ripley, Ohio, across from Kentucky.
When was Parker born?
John Parker was an active participant in the Underground Railroad in Ohio and helped fugitive slaves escape to freedom in the years before the American Civil War. John Parker was born on February 2, 1827 in Norfolk, Virginia. His mother was a slave, but his father was a free white man.
Who was Rankins wife?
In May 1892, six years after John Rankin’s death, a monument aptly named “Freedom’s Heroes”, was dedicated to Rankin and his wife, Jean Lowry Rankin, on the grounds of the Maplewood Cemetery in Ripley, Ohio.
What did Captain John Parker say at the Battle of Lexington?
While on trial in 1855 he told the story of John Parker and the minutemen at Lexington, he quoted Captain Parker: “ “I will order the first man shot that runs away,” said he, when some faltered; “Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they want to have a war,—let it begin here.”
Where was Parker born?
In 1850 he moved to Ripley, Ohio, which was also the home of Reverend John Rankin, abolitionist and operator of the Underground Railroad there. Parker worked independently of Rankin and before the Emancipation Proclamation took an active role in removing an estimated 1000 slaves from bondage.
John P. Parker, Conductor, on the Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of free African Americans and sympathetic whites who worked together to conceal, clothe, and escort escaped slaves to the United States and eventual freedom. It was a series of stations that were frequently attended by local vigilance committees in northern settlements that made up the “railroad.” John P. Parker was born into slavery in Norfolk, Virginia, but he was emancipated by 1845 and became a free man. He relocated to Ripley, Ohio, which had a thriving abolitionist population, and worked as an iron master during the day while rescuing escaped slaves during the evening hours.
It is thought that Parker assisted hundreds of people in escaping to freedom over the Ohio River from Kentucky along the most heavily used section of the railroad.
Because of my initial trip, I was encouraged to relocate to Ripley, where there was an iron factory.
It was as crowded as a swarm at that point in time.
- There was a thriving community of living males in the area, which helped to establish it as the hub of industry and finance.
- There were the top and lower boatyards, which were both busy all year.
- The boatyard was located on a point of land below the stream, which provided a secure harbor in both the winter and summer.
- Throughout the winter, these boats were produced in large quantities and at a quick pace.
- The bottoms of these boats were built first before being painted.
- The steamboats were on the move throughout the winter months, as well.
- Throughout the winter and summer, a steady stream of logs ran down the river roadways into the town, which was accessible at all times.
At all times of the year, the slaughterhouses were operating at full capacity.
One mill, set back from the river, was equipped with an overhead gravity runway, which transported barrels from the mill across the stream and down to the shore, where they were loaded onto flatboats.
Sleighs or teams of four to six horses were used to transport these items into town from the countryside.
The majority of the jeans for the town and flatboats were produced by a woolen mill.
33 During the Panic of 1837, this little town was so prosperous that it transferred cash to New York banks to assist them in getting through the crisis.
A passing observation: the time period I have just been dealing with is now 60 years after the time period I have just been dealing with.
The flatboats have long since vanished, and not even a steamboat can be seen in the harbor.
The men and women of Ripley’s city have gone to their last resting place.
So swiftly does our country evolve, not just in terms of its trading locations, but also in terms of its trading practices.
The small number of old-time abolitionists lived and worked in the middle of all of this economic activity.
Alexander Campbell, Rev.
Beasley, and Rev.
Rev.
Abolitionists were not within the group of businesspeople, but they were anti-slavery activists.
The land was so hostile to abolitionism at the time that we could only transport fugitives out of town and through the country on specific routes that were clearly defined and limited.
Throughout the year, these guys stood guard along the riverside at all hours of the day and night.
The atmosphere became very strained.
Many Methodists expressed quiet support for the cause, would donate money to us, but would refrain from taking an active part in the fight.
Following the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law in, the attitude of the citizens of the town become even more skeptical of our organization’s activities.
I had kept a notebook in which I recorded the names, dates, and circumstances of all of the slaves I had assisted in their escape, a total of 315 at the time of writing.
However, despite the fact that the other men were similarly wary, the job continued.
Now for an experience that tested every ounce of my talent and resourcefulness in order to get me out of a sticky predicament.
His anxiousness was caused by a word from a freeman to the effect that there was a group of refugees sheltering in the woods in Kentucky approximately 20 miles from the river, which he had received.
They were completely powerless because they had no one to lead them.
I offered to go to the rescue since I was new to the field and quite enthusiastic about it.
Even the colored guy, who was once a slave, resided over the river in Kentucky with his family.
He further told me that he would transport me to the cabin of another colored slave, who would then direct me to the fugitives’ hiding place.
That night, we discovered the group in the middle of a dense forest, terrified and completely defenseless.
Since the death of their leader, they have been paralyzed by fear, and they have huddled together like children.
Fortunately, food had been provided by friends, so they were well fed; otherwise, I would have been unable to do anything with them.
I drew my revolver and gave him the option of gathering up his belongings and accompanying me, or being shot in the head with a cold steel bullet.
As you will see in a moment, it was a fortunate thing for me that I did.
Due to the fact that we were in the Borderland, which was heavily guarded, and we were sure to come across one of the guards at any bend in the road, we were unable to go on with our group.
With the exception of a few clearings here and there, impenetrable trees stretched all the way down to the river, making it difficult to move during the day.
They were useless woodsmen; no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep them from tearing down the bushes and treading on dry logs, the cracking of which boomed through the woods like an alarm bell.
I quickly realized that I would have to confine them to the ravines, where the ferns and moss flourished.
I pleaded with him once again to stay near the celebration.
Fortunately, I was able to carry the celebration forward.
In pursuit of two white guys, Andcame tearing into the brush at breakneck speed.
The gentleman, having misplaced his bearings and flying by where we were lying, was arrested.
Drawing my revolver, I threatened them in hushed tones that I would shoot the first one who dared to make a disturbance, which had the effect of quieting them down.
After carefully scanning the bushes, I noticed our man being carried by a rope.
He had his arms tied behind his back, as if he were a prisoner.
It was a very tight escape for myself and my companions, for if we had continued straight ahead, we would have all been caught and taken prisoner.
With my voice, I convinced them that I was in worse danger than they were, and that, if they didn’t listen to me, I would leave them where they were and go in search of safety.
I moved forward, my party hidden behind me, to take stock of the situation.
Now that the party was ready to move forward, it was only after more threats that I was able to get safely into the brush.
Wagons rumbled by from time to time, and I didn’t dare let any of my party members get out of sight, much less move without my permission.
As a result, there was no boat waiting for us when we arrived.
My prospects were severely hampered when I came face to face with a patrol.
I had a feeling that the entire countryside would soon be buzzing like a hornet’s nest, and I was right.
As far as I was concerned, I could see the lights of the town, but they might have passed for the moon in terms of providing comfort to me in my current predicament.
My only chance was to make it to them before my pursuers did.
I just paused long enough to tell her to follow us if she was able, since I couldn’t stand the thought of waiting any longer.
The oars had to be found next, which was the following step.
I heard the howl of hounds while we were running around in circles.
Jumping into the boat to tear up a seat to use as a paddle, I lost my footing and tripped over the oars, which I had missed seeing in the darkness.
Two guys were abandoned on the side of the river.
I ignored her and continued to push off.
For one of the single men who was safely in the boat, upon hearing the woman’s cries for her husband, rose without saying anything and walked silently to the bank.
As I rowed away to safety, I caught a glimpse of the silent but helpless martyr in the distance.
Collins was both shocked and pleased to see me when I arrived.
James Gilliland, who lived approximately five miles outside of town at Red Oak Chapel.
See the John P.
Source: John P.
Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad, ed. Stuart Seely Sprague (New York: W.W. Norton, 1996), pp. 97–104 (John P. Parker, His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad).
His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad
978-0-393-31718-3 is the ISBN for this book. *Norton agency titles168 pages, published in January 1998. Product Flyer may be downloaded.
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Description
His Promised Land is a fascinating and moving tale of how the battle against slavery was fought—and occasionally won—through the eyes of an African American conductor on the Underground Railroad. The following dramatic anecdote was recounted to a newspaper reporter by John P. Parker (1827–1900) after the Civil War. He tells the story of his years in servitude, his terrifying escape attempt, and how he eventually purchased his freedom. Parker eventually settled in Ripley, Ohio, which was a bastion of the abolitionist movement at the time.
While hiding in coffins and jumping from a riverboat into the river with bounty hunters on his tail, Parker risked everything—including his life—in order to fight for the freedom of his fellow citizens.
Aboard the Underground Railroad- John P. Parker House
Essay 2 – Grade: B+ – HIST 190 – United States to 1877 – Minnesota
His Promised Land, written in the words of an African American conductor on the Underground Railroad, is a remarkable and moving tale of how the struggle against slavery was fought—and occasionally won. After the Civil War, John P. Parker (1827–1900) informed a newspaper reporter about this remarkable incident. He tells the story of his years of servitude, his terrible escape attempt, and how he ultimately purchased his freedom from the slave traders of the Caribbean. As a result of his relocation to Ripley, Ohio, a center of the abolitionist movement, Parker became a vital element of the Underground Railroad, assisting runaway slaves fleeing Kentucky to the north in order to reach freedom.
John P. Parker – Ohio History Central
According to Ohio History Central In the years leading up to the American Civil War, John Parker was an active member in the Underground Railroad in Ohio, assisting runaway slaves in their attempts to escape to freedom. John Parker was born on February 2, 1827, in Norfolk, Virginia, to John Parker and Elizabeth Parker. His mother was a slave, while his father was a free white man who lived in the United States. As a young child of eight years old, Parker was sold by his owner to a doctor who practiced in Mobile, Alabama.
Many states had laws in place that prohibited slaves from receiving an education.
One of the key arguments used by slave owners to justify slavery was the belief that African Americans were unable to obtain an education.
Parker’s master, on the other hand, let his slave to receive an education.
Parker was eventually purchased by one of the doctor’s patients, who named him Parker.
Parker finally relocated to the northern hemisphere.
Parker opened a general store in Beachwood Factory, Ohio, in 1848.
Parker moved to Ripley, Ohio, which is located along the Ohio River, around 1850.
In addition, he got involved in the Underground Railroad movement.
Parker frequently transported fugitives to the home of John Rankin, another abolitionist who lived in Ripley at the time.
A recruiter for the 27th Regiment, United States Colored Troops, Parker served during the American Civil War.
Parker focused his talents to his foundry company after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1865, marking the abolition of slavery in the United States of America.
Parker was the owner or president of several businesses throughout his life, including the Ripley Foundry and Machine Company and the Phoenix Foundry. Parker died on the 30th of January, 1900.
See Also
- OHIO’S WAR: THE CIVIL WAR IN DOCUMENTS, edited by Christine Dee, is available online. Ann Hagedorn’s book, Ohio University Press, Athens, 2007
- Hagedorn, Ann Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad is a book about the heroes of the Underground Railroad. Parker, John P., “His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad,” New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2002
- Parker, John P., “His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad,” New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2002. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 1996
- Reid, Whitelaw. Ohio’s Statesmen, Generals, and Soldiers in the War: A Portrait of the State. Clarke Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1895
- Roseboom, Eugene H. The period from 1850 to 1873 is known as the Civil War Era. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society published the book in 1944.