The Seibert book is heavily concentrated on the Ohio URR. The Ohio river being very "passable" it was porous like Swiss cheese. So there were many point of entry from Kentucky to Ohio. And in Ohio the heavy Presbyterian population were very much anti slavery although it varied a bit with the specific sect. Covenanters were "hard shell" uncompromising dissenting rabble rousing Anti Slavery zealots. There was never a question where they stood on the issue. The thing to keep in mind is the timeline. After 1850 the cost for being caught in abolitionist activities was severe. The fines were so large, in today's dollars they were hundreds of thousands, enough to bankrupt a small farmer. My own great great grandfather was a casual participant in the URR. He showed his grandchildren the shed where he "hid the slaves." That will be covered in part III. Look for the part II release on July 3rd. It's a doozey.
More astounding is the connection of your James West to my upcoming post. When James West moved to the Richview, Illinois area he was moving to another terminus on the URR. There was a smuggling line from Rockwood, Illinois veering northeast going through Eden, then Oakdale and ending near Richview where the runaway slaves got a ride north. After about 1852 with the completion of the Illinois Central RR, the slaves jumped on the train and road a boxcar to Chicago. From there the URR was in the open and runaways had access to a boat that finished the journey to Canada. Because of the peculiarities of geography in Southern Illinois, this specific route became one of the most important. This specific route was quite vexing to the slave owners and made the national news by as early as 1845. In short, our stories happily connect.
The Richview connection is exciting because it is not really covered in the Seibert book. I found reference to in an obscure county history. But putting it all together it subtly changes the story where it makes more sense. The actual trail was from point to point but the points in question were remote hiding spots dispersed around Presbyterian (and some Methodist) enclaves. Richview I am thinking was a handing off spot where the last leg of the journey was a long wagon ride (and later train ride) direct to Chicago.
David, This is great. Looking forward to the next post.
Oh my gosh! I can't believe you saw it. You are special. I will be looking for the next article. Thank you, Dave!
Very fine story David. Looking forward to reading more !
How lucky you were to experience such a find. Will look forward to your next installment on the story. Oh, if only that hiding place could talk.
I swear I could hear the whisper.
Wow! What a fascinating adventure you had. I am looking forward to what comes in your next posts on the subject.
Thank you Jane. If you lived closer, I would put you to work on the team.
Oh that would be great! If only ...
If you have any good book recommendations on the topic, I have two unrelated ancestral connections to the Underground:
Mom's side: https://projectkin.substack.com/p/dangerous-times-in-kentucky
Dad's side: https://mightieracorns.blogspot.com/2015/10/uncle-george-and-underground-railroad.html
The Seibert book is heavily concentrated on the Ohio URR. The Ohio river being very "passable" it was porous like Swiss cheese. So there were many point of entry from Kentucky to Ohio. And in Ohio the heavy Presbyterian population were very much anti slavery although it varied a bit with the specific sect. Covenanters were "hard shell" uncompromising dissenting rabble rousing Anti Slavery zealots. There was never a question where they stood on the issue. The thing to keep in mind is the timeline. After 1850 the cost for being caught in abolitionist activities was severe. The fines were so large, in today's dollars they were hundreds of thousands, enough to bankrupt a small farmer. My own great great grandfather was a casual participant in the URR. He showed his grandchildren the shed where he "hid the slaves." That will be covered in part III. Look for the part II release on July 3rd. It's a doozey.
Ohhh, I can’t wait!
Neither can I!
The underground railroad from slavery to freedomby Siebert, Wilbur Henry, 1866-1961Pub. 1898 Publisher New York : Macmillan; London: Macmillan
More astounding is the connection of your James West to my upcoming post. When James West moved to the Richview, Illinois area he was moving to another terminus on the URR. There was a smuggling line from Rockwood, Illinois veering northeast going through Eden, then Oakdale and ending near Richview where the runaway slaves got a ride north. After about 1852 with the completion of the Illinois Central RR, the slaves jumped on the train and road a boxcar to Chicago. From there the URR was in the open and runaways had access to a boat that finished the journey to Canada. Because of the peculiarities of geography in Southern Illinois, this specific route became one of the most important. This specific route was quite vexing to the slave owners and made the national news by as early as 1845. In short, our stories happily connect.
The Richview connection is exciting because it is not really covered in the Seibert book. I found reference to in an obscure county history. But putting it all together it subtly changes the story where it makes more sense. The actual trail was from point to point but the points in question were remote hiding spots dispersed around Presbyterian (and some Methodist) enclaves. Richview I am thinking was a handing off spot where the last leg of the journey was a long wagon ride (and later train ride) direct to Chicago.