Underground Railroad - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Underground Railroad in Old Mercer County, Pa

MarkPainter — 2009-08-03 19:52:35Z

I'm attempting to document the Undergound Railroad, and the Abolition movement in Old Mercer County, Pa, the county at that time extended from New Castle to Jamestown. I've been working on it now for close to a year and have found quite a few people involved, but feel there are many more. Also looking for information on the county's Anti-Slavery Societies. Any information would be appreciated.

Mark S. Painter bender50@windstream.net

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

maryglover93 — 2009-02-05 07:45:13Z

just read the notice could you e-mail mr=e thr list my gggrand mother was from va and sold into georgia.

Charles Fogle, Co-Author of Washington County (Ohio) Underground Railroad Passes Away

Lace_Lynch — 2009-01-23 14:02:44Z

Charles Fogle, Co-Author of Washington County (Ohio) Underground Railroad Passes Away

His work contributed a great deal to preserving the history of the Underground Railroad in Washington County, Ohio.

His obituary:
Charles H. Fogle, 57, of Newark, Ohio born Dec. 13, 1951, went wherever we all go to on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chuck Fogle; his mother, Barbara Hart Fogle; and his aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Charlie is survived by his older brother, Bob Fogle (Patti Vroom) of Charlotte, N.C.; his older sister, Janet Fogle McKim (Bob) of Coal Run, Ohio; two nephews, Brian and Geoffrey Fogle; and his godson, Gabriel Hart McKitrick of Marietta, Ohio and also dear friend Henry Burke of Marietta, Ohio.

Charlie was a photographer, a newscaster for WMOA, a newspaper columnist for the Marietta A.M. and most recently employed at Spencer House, a recovery center in Newark, Ohio.

No flowers or donations please; Charlie hated all that stuff.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday (Jan. 23, 2009) at Hadley Funeral Home, Marietta Chapel, 500 Fifth St.
Marietta, Ohio
Online condolences may be made to hadleyfuneralhomes.com .

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

floetry — 2009-01-11 15:53:23Z

Sorry I just realized there was a response. My grandfather was born 1 May 1899. His father Herbert, worked for one of the local Iron Mills in the area. I've never found than beyond the 1900 Census.

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

ANITAFRYE_THOMAS — 2009-01-11 13:38:11Z

GREETINGS: I saw your message and i was looking for my ggfather, Lester Thomas or Luther Thomas born in late 1800's; or any info Norvilles or Warfields (sp) would be appreciated. you said you could post the list; that would be very helpful because there are/were other mulattos in the family, such as the Fry(e)s. thank you.

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

gclarke69 — 2008-10-01 13:57:20Z

John Tyler

Caroline Tyler

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

LindaDavenport20 — 2008-09-08 20:07:30Z

My name is Linda Wood Davenport. I am the ggggrandaughter of Malinda Robinson Paris. She had two experiences with the underground railroad. First, when she was about five or six years of age her mother, a free woman married to a slave, took Malinda and her eight sisters and brothers in the dead of night from their home in Paris, Kentucky, to prevent their being kidnapped into slavery. The family settled in Vigo County, Indiana.
Then at 18 Malinda married a free man, William Paris, who had been kidnapped and taken into slavery three times. Threatened with slavery again after their marriage, he fled north to Canada where Malinda joined him.

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

kristin_gessner — 2008-08-12 19:22:18Z

I actually haven't worked on this project in a number of years. Do you have any further info on your g-grandfather, such as a first name and birth year?

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

floetry — 2008-08-12 17:13:48Z

If you are still working on this project or have this information I would be extremely interested. My g-great grandfather was born in Milton. His father's last name was Jones and his mother's maiden name was Gibbs.

Thank you!

metyme2@gmail.com

New Ohio Underground Railroad - Freedom Center Website

Lace_Lynch — 2008-03-15 11:35:03Z

http://www.passagetofreedomohio.org/

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

duncanely — 2008-03-03 02:44:28Z

Duncan Ely (the Carolinas), whose Ely and Mifflin ancestors in Pennsylvania operated stations on the Underground Railroad.

Re: Reliable info for those looking for it on UGRR, esp SE Ohio

BNeson — 2007-12-04 08:39:16Z

Yes, he's great. I esp love the River Jordan book. I met him 2 summers ago when we went to a family reunion and found out we were cousins. I stayed with him and his wife this summer for 5 days. You couldn't meet a nicer couple. And he is so very knowledgeable. He's doing alot of work to get OH historical markers put in.

Re: Reliable info for those looking for it on UGRR, esp SE Ohio

AGIFTJOEL1 — 2007-12-04 01:09:44Z

Mr Burke is an expert on the UGRR and a great author. I have seceral of his books that he autographed.

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

PJRAK — 2007-10-22 12:55:17Z

Roberta Kelley - 2nd GGF Richard B. Sorter b. NJ d. Kalama, Cowlitz, OR

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

ibemarti_1 — 2007-10-09 21:25:50Z

I am a descendant of a slave who escape slavery via the underground Railroad.

Margaret Lewis

Reliable info for those looking for it on UGRR, esp SE Ohio

BNeson — 2007-08-27 03:30:05Z

this is Henry Burke's site. he is an expert on the UGRR and has much information.

http://www.lwfaah.net/oh/burke.htm

UGRR Station in Perry Twp., Franklin County, Ohio

David888 — 2007-05-30 15:54:57Z

There is a family story that Sylvester Hard, of Perry Township, Franklin County, Ohio, paid someone to serve in his place in the Civil War so he could stay home and operate an Underground RR stop. His home was on Bethel Road, now part of Columbus, OH. Does anyone have any documentation of this?
Thanks, David Ryder

james davison, john h jones

marychaney45 — 2007-05-12 00:27:25Z

Trying to find information on my grandfather who may have come through the underground railroad. Both originated in Virgina. John's parents were from VA but he was born in NY in 1852 James was born in 1820, arrived in Ohio between 1860-61

Re: Email Change for Joel Humphrey

2006-10-22 02:24:32Z

Joel,

I've been finding your messages on the Ancestry.com message boards. I have been photographing existing UGRR (or suspected UGRR sites in northern KY, OH, IN and MI for the last year. My own interest is to combine images and stories to create pieces for exhibition. Are you interested in comparing information? I teach at Central Michigan University must admit, I've done the least amount of work in Michigan.

Nedra

Researching: Anna Elizabeth Ball

2006-02-18 11:34:19Z

Looking for information on URR operator Anna Elizabeth Ball, Philadelphia. I have an obituary from January 24, 1887 which describes her as having aided 63 fugitives. Seems very specific so I am hoping she was well known at the time. She had been living in Phildalphia for 46 years when she died. Anyone run across her in their research? Thanks!

Kate Larson

UGRR house info needed

2006-02-18 11:33:38Z

I'm looking into buying a house, that I was told was part of the UGRR. I live in Ohio and want to verifiy the information. The date they say the house was built just doesn't seem correct.
Where would I go to find the information?
Thank you,
Margie

Email Change for Joel Humphrey

2006-02-18 11:32:04Z

To all that need to contact me, pls do so at:AGIFTJOEL1@aol.com.
Thank yoou,
Joel

Researching Abolishist: Col. Peter Servos

2006-02-18 11:30:56Z

Searching for any information on the history of abolitionist Col. Peter Servos of Niagara ON. Col. Servos rescued the Berry family from Virginia around the early 1850's. His sister Catharine married an African Canadian Loyalist by the name of Humphrey Waters.

California's UGRR

2006-02-18 11:30:21Z

Add California to the list of states that involved in the UGRR.

Re: E MAIL CHANGE

2005-07-21 03:36:47Z

It was actually me GGG grandfather, Henry John Luy. The information that was passed down is the woman's name was Almeda, which is my grandmother's first name.

Re: E MAIL CHANGE

2005-07-20 00:48:16Z

Reasearch went well. I was able to connect UGRR through 21 states.
I'll help you if I can. It's interesting about your grandfather. What was his name?
Sincerely,
Joel Humphrey

Re: Elizabeth Townsend Wood, Levi Townsend, Eli Townsend, Ohio

2005-04-24 05:15:23Z

Was Eli Townsend the son of (or related to) John Townsend Jr. and Elivira Cain Townsend, of Bucks County, Penn? My ancesters came from this lineage, and they were also Quakers. I have heard that there was some sort of connection between the Townsends and the Undergraound Railroad. Please email me directly and I will send you the entire lineage. I would like to know if these Townsends are all the same family.
Kim Townsend Spangrude

Re: U. S. African American Griots

2005-03-18 02:55:26Z

Great site. Have already visited there.

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

2005-03-18 02:52:58Z

GGGrandfather - George Harvey Humphrey
GGrandfather - George Humphrey 669 Genesee Street Rochester, New York

GGGGrandfather - Joseph Ball - Spencerport, New York

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

2005-05-17 17:41:26Z

My GGgrandfather Jacob W. Wilks along with his parents and sibling (names unknown) escaped slaverly via the Underground Railroad from the John P. Wilkes plantation in Boone County Kentucky to Ohio. They lived with the Waddell family.

Re: finding info

2004-07-19 12:36:19Z

Thank you for the information. I will contact them.

Re: finding info

2004-07-15 22:30:37Z

Contact www.OhioUndergroundRailroad.org. Or call 1 614 8681246 - The Friends of Freedom Society,Inc
PO Box 1080
Worthington,Ohio 43085-1080
Tell them Joel sent you.
If you need more info, pls contact me.

Re: Underground Rail Road

JohnOgden81 — 2005-04-28 13:39:57Z

Joel, if you are looking for info on Monroe County, OH, you might want to check the site maintained by Henry Burke. Any search engine with his name and UGRR will take you to his info on SE Ohio and the underground railroad. Stafford had at least one safe house owned by abolitionist William Steel. It is thought there were sites in Lewisville, Calais, Malaga and other villages throughout the county leading to Summerfield, Somerton and Barnesville. Wilbur Seibert published a couple of books on Ohio and UGRR stations based on his survey from OU in the late 1890's. Many Wesleyan Methodist churches were used also. Hope this helps, John

Researching Mary A. WADGEN-IL to Canada

Sheri60178 — 2006-02-18 11:29:42Z

Mary was a run away slave from Virginia. She is listed in the 1860 federal census for Sycamore, DeKalb, Illinois with her daughter, Mary (age 2). I have a newspaper article that says they were there until approximately Spring 1861 when she was moved on the underground railroad to a location in Ontario, Canada. If you have any information please write JoinerHistoryRoom@dekalbcounty.org

Caribbean Connections ??

Heritage02 — 2006-08-12 19:17:58Z

Information has been shared with me indicating that the Underground Railroad was not soley a northern route. It is my understanding that there were routes that went into the Caribbean. The individual who shared this information was unable to provide resources to support their information. Is anyone else familiar with this information? Resources would be appreciated.

Re: Elizabeth Townsend Wood, Levi Townsend, Eli Townsend, Ohio

marriasay1 — 2007-04-23 03:59:35Z

A short mention is made of the anti-slavery movement in a history of David and Esther Mosher Wood, written by their daughter Ruth Wood Pierce. It says, "The great anti-slavery movement began to make itself felt. Father, being a Whig fell into line. Our house on the hill became a station on the underground railroad. One hundred and sixty colored people, fleeing from slavery were in less than nine months fed at it's table." Of the Townsend's the history states "... for Abagail had met her fate when she met Eli Townsend; Joseph had thought Elizabeth, Eli's sister, was the pearl among women."

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

lumoorman1 — 2004-08-15 21:43:15Z

I would, indeed, be intersted in receiving you list. I am currently researching the Moorman, Saunders, Johnson families of PA
e-mail: lumoorman1@msn.com

Thank alot!!!!!!!!

Re: Elizabeth Townsend Wood, Levi Townsend, Eli Townsend, Ohio

@@lucie@nerdvest.com — 2005-08-16 20:03:05Z

I would like to correct a mistake in my original posting: The name of Eli Townsend's wife was Abigail Mosher Wood b. 1821, Mount Gilead, Morrow Co OH. Her middle name, Mosher, is the maiden name of her mother. Her parents were Esther Mosher b. 1798, Washington Co NY, and David Wood b. 1792, Danbury, Rutland Co VT.

Re: New Website: "Follow the Drinking Gourd": A Cultural History

annie1586 — 2007-02-09 12:26:39Z

I have been a researcher for the Friends of Freedom. I live in Fitchville, Ohio and have 4 underground houses. 2 confirmed. Find it very interesting have not been to involved the past 7 yr because my husband is very ill. I worked with Elaine Lawson from Sandusky. Mildred Shepherd

African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

kristin_gessner — 2006-11-06 20:25:41Z

Hi Everyone!

I am working on an underground railroad project and I've got a list of all the African-Americans/Mulattos living in Northumberland County in the 1850 Census. I want to make this list available to anyone who is interested in it - whether for general interest or for genealogy. There are a few families, including Bulter, Young, James, Gilbert, and many individuals living here and there (mostly with lawyers, physicians, and at inns). Most people were born in PA, but some were from Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Kentucky. I've done a basic search for some of the people with more unusual names to see if they stuck around the area but had no luck finding them anywhere else. If anyone is interested in the list, feel free to e-mail me, or I could post it here if a lot of people were interested.

Hope my info can be of help to someone!

~Kristin

UGRR in the south

7armadillos — 2007-02-15 04:11:45Z

How come all the info on the UGRR have stations located in the north? Where are the southerners? The story comes down in our family that an ancestor ran a station in Lee Co., VA while her husband was fighting for the Confederacy.

Re: Under ground rail road

griot16 — 2004-07-07 22:40:21Z

There is a site that has valuable info on the plight of the African American which I have found useful in my research. It is http://www.pbs.org.

Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

griot16 — 2005-02-24 11:40:37Z

If you are a descendant of the Underground Railroad, please post your surnames and location by responding to this post.

U. S. African American Griots

griot16 — 2005-02-06 23:52:17Z

The U. S. African American Griots has a page for information regarding the Underground Railroad. The site is very informative.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~afamer/index.html

New Website: "Follow the Drinking Gourd": A Cultural History

joel_br — 2007-02-08 04:35:33Z

Dear friends:

I am happy to announce that my website devoted to the history and cultural history of the American folk song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" has now launched. The site may be accessed here: www.followthedrinkinggourd.org

Much of the song’s enduring appeal derives from its perceived status as a unique, historical remnant harkening back to the pre-Civil War South no other such map songs survive. But the song as it appears in roughly 200 recordings, dozens of songbooks, several award-winning children's books and many other places could not possibly have been sung by escaping slaves. The signature line in the chorus, "for the old man is awaitin' for to carry you to freedom," was written by Lee Hays eighty years after the end of the Civil War.

I look at how the song has been interpreted over the last 10 years wrongly, I believe, in virtually all the existing websites, teacher’s guides, books and other media addressing it. I then examine how this flawed research assumed its current dominant position.

Appendices include a timeline, samples of 23 of the over 200 recorded versions of the song, an analysis of the adult and children’s books based on the song and material of interest to teachers.

I hope you will consider alerting your colleagues, sending me your comments, and linking to my site if you find it of value.

Sincerely,

Joel Bresler

Re: Descendants of the Underground Railroad Roll Call

SteveJames500 — 2006-09-14 04:54:08Z

My GG Grandfather was Ira Nichols, who ran a station in Sycamore, Dekalb Co, IL

Re: African-Americans/Mulattos in Northumberland County, PA 1850

remixqueen1 — 2004-12-24 01:22:19Z

Searching for Pompey Standiford; born PA 1776. He is is Mercer County, KY in 1850 with wife Susan.
Would like to know: Who was he sold to in KY? Or was he brought there from PA by his owner? He would not travel South on the Underground Railroad; would he?

Re: Caribbean Connections ??

mcrichy — 2007-03-19 23:45:11Z

This is true. Many of the enslaved people along the coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia, and FL were able to maintain some of the West African maritime navigation skills and some sailed south to caribbean islands and even futher south to central and south america. Desendants of slaves can be found in Belize, Honduras, and Coasta Rica and are called Garifuna. One excellent person to consult is Dr. Jose Jones who is founder of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS)www.nabsdivers.org. He has lectured on this topic.

Rev. Isaac M. Williams

BJDeRamus4141 — 2007-02-09 13:17:34Z

I'm an author looking for descendants of the Rev. Isaac M. Williams, an AME minister who bought the freedom of his mother, Sally, in 1856 or 1857. At various times, he lived in Memphis, Mobile, Indianapolis and Detroit. I need this information for a planned Underground Railroad book. Betty DeRamus. (Please email bjderamus@aol.com)

Re: E MAIL CHANGE

D_Windmiller — 2005-07-17 04:49:03Z

Hi Joel.

I noticed a while back you posted that you were going to be plotting knows staions/stops for the UGRR. Have you been able to get many locations? I do not know of any, but I was curious how you were doing trying to dig up the info.

My GGG GF (I think I went back enough generations) used the UGRR to escape from Andersonville Prison during the Civil War, or at least that's the story told in my family.