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"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD"
"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD"
"THE INVISIBLE ROAD TO FREEDOM THROUGH INDIANA"
"THE INVISIBLE ROAD TO FREEDOM THROUGH INDIANA"
COMPILED FROM THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION "WRITERS PROJECT" OF THE 1930'S DEPRESSION ERA. PUBLISHED November 1, 2000.
COMPILED FROM THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION "WRITERS PROJECT" OF THE 1930'S DEPRESSION ERA. PUBLISHED November 1, 2000.
(Ball State University director, consultant, advisor, support)
(Ball State University director, consultant, advisor, support)
This publication includes chapters for each county in Indiana that had Underground Railroad activity. For Hamilton County it says: "The route of the "Underground Railway" through Hamilton county, entered the county from the south on the Range Line road. From that point, it passed north over Range Line road to Westfield, which was a division point in the route north. From Westfield, some of the slaves passed over a route northeast to the town of Demming, north west to Hortonville and on north west to Sheridan, then north to the county line."
This publication includes chapters for each county in Indiana that had Underground Railroad activity. For Hamilton County it says: "The route of the "Underground Railway" through Hamilton county, entered the county from the south on the Range Line road. From that point, it passed north over Range Line road to Westfield, which was a division point in the route north. From Westfield, some of the slaves passed over a route northeast to the town of Demming, north west to Hortonville and on north west to Sheridan, then north to the county line."
"Westfield was responsible for the freedom of more slaves than any other town in northern Indiana."
"Westfield was responsible for the freedom of more slaves than any other town in northern Indiana."
"The Quakers were opposed to slavery and the town received the name, North Central Station, because it was the receiving point for slaves from all points of the south. The town was known throughout the country as the 'last hope' of the slaves, for once a slave reached Westfield, there was little chance of the owner getting him back."
"The Quakers were opposed to slavery and the town received the name, North Central Station, because it was the receiving point for slaves from all points of the south. The town was known throughout the country as the 'last hope' of the slaves, for once a slave reached Westfield, there was little chance of the owner getting him back."
"The escaping slave had no greater friends than those who aided them from Westfield. In Westfield, from that time until today, the colored man had been considered the equal of the white."
"The escaping slave had no greater friends than those who aided them from Westfield. In Westfield, from that time until today, the colored man had been considered the equal of the white."
The Underground Railroad—the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. At first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas and eventually across state and international borders. These acts of self-emancipation labeled slaves as "fugitives", "escapees", or "runaways", but in retrospect "freedom seeker" is a more accurate description. Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape.
The Underground Railroad—the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. At first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas and eventually across state and international borders. These acts of self-emancipation labeled slaves as "fugitives", "escapees", or "runaways", but in retrospect "freedom seeker" is a more accurate description. Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape.
The decision to assist a freedom seeker may have been spontaneous. However, in some places, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad was deliberate and organized. Despite the illegality of their actions, people of all races, class and genders participated in this widespread form of civil disobedience. Freedom seekers went in many directions – Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian territory, the West, Caribbean islands and Europe.
The decision to assist a freedom seeker may have been spontaneous. However, in some places, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad was deliberate and organized. Despite the illegality of their actions, people of all races, class and genders participated in this widespread form of civil disobedience. Freedom seekers went in many directions – Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian territory, the West, Caribbean islands and Europe.
Intro to the Chapter about Underground Railroad - History of Hamilton County, Indiana - Thomas Helms 1880
Intro to the Chapter about Underground Railroad - History of Hamilton County, Indiana - Thomas Helms 1880
AMONG the principal workers in the "underground railroad" movement were the Baker family, Asa Bales, Dr. Hiatt, James L. Hiatt, Jacob L. Pfaff, of Westfield; James M. Thompson, now living in Adams Township; O. C. Lindley, of Adams Township (edit: the Lindley farm is in Washington Township, but O.C. Lindley lived in Adams Township in 1880); J. Roberts, of Washington Township
AMONG the principal workers in the "underground railroad" movement were the Baker family, Asa Bales, Dr. Hiatt, James L. Hiatt, Jacob L. Pfaff, of Westfield; James M. Thompson, now living in Adams Township; O. C. Lindley, of Adams Township (edit: the Lindley farm is in Washington Township, but O.C. Lindley lived in Adams Township in 1880); J. Roberts, of Washington Township
History of Hamilton County, Indiana by Thomas Helms
History of Hamilton County, Indiana by Thomas Helms
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