Bloomingburg in Fayette County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018
1. Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad Marker
side A
Inscription.
Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad. . Side A
Recognized by many as “one of the most active communities in Southwestern Ohio, the Bloomingburg area was a significant link in the Underground Railroad. As many as twelve to sixteen escaped slaves were said to have been passed through the Bloomingburg area at one time. The Bloomingburg Presbyterian Church was the center for Underground Railroad activity, in coordination with the Fayette County Anti-Slavery Society. The church, led by Rev. William Dickey and Col. James Stewart, both staunch abolitionists, was organized on November 22, 1817. The current church, built in 1847, still stands today along with several other structures that were used as stations on the Underground Railroad. The Fullertons, Dickeys, Usticks, Steeles, Edwardses, Stewarts, Alexanders, and Gillespies served as station keepers and operators. The Fayette County Anti-Slavery Society was organized in Bloomingburg on May 27, 1835, with 52 members. Col. James Stewart at one time served as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society.
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Side B
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The great success of this areas abolitionist movement was also aided by the African American community in Bloomingburg. This community was composed of many ex-slaves and free blacks who served as conductors on the Underground Railroad. Littlebury Stewart registered his free papers in 1835, which made his family one of the first free families of color in Fayette County. Joseph Stillgess was an African American conductor. He stated: “I would take the fugitives (slaves) in a spring wagon to the house (William Ustick)… This sort of thing went on all the time when I was there at Bloomingburg.” Bloomingburg is located on the east fork of Paint Creek, a key route that the fugitive slaves followed. In the Paint Valley area were many stops such as Chillicothe, Frankfort, Good Hope, Greenfield, Roxabel, South Salem, and Washington Court House. Without the assistance of these important links, the Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad would not have been possible. . This historical marker was erected in 2017 by Friends of Freedom Society. It is in Bloomingburg in Fayette County Ohio
Side A
Recognized by many as “one of the most active communities in Southwestern Ohio, the Bloomingburg area was a significant link in the Underground Railroad. As many as twelve to sixteen escaped slaves were said to have been passed through the Bloomingburg area at one time. The Bloomingburg Presbyterian Church was the center for Underground Railroad activity, in coordination with the Fayette County Anti-Slavery Society. The church, led by Rev. William Dickey and Col. James Stewart, both staunch abolitionists, was organized on November 22, 1817. The current church, built in 1847, still stands today along with several other structures that were used as stations on the Underground Railroad. The Fullertons, Dickeys, Usticks, Steeles, Edwardses, Stewarts, Alexanders, and Gillespies served as station keepers and operators. The Fayette County Anti-Slavery Society was organized in Bloomingburg on May 27, 1835, with 52 members. Col. James Stewart at one time served as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society.
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Side B
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The great success of this areas
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abolitionist movement was also aided by the African American community in Bloomingburg. This community was composed of many ex-slaves and free blacks who served as conductors on the Underground Railroad. Littlebury Stewart registered his free papers in 1835, which made his family one of the first free families of color in Fayette County.
Joseph Stillgess was an African American conductor. He stated: “I would take the fugitives (slaves) in a spring wagon to the house (William Ustick)… This sort of thing went on all the time when I was there at Bloomingburg.” Bloomingburg is located on the east fork of Paint Creek, a key route that the fugitive slaves followed. In the Paint Valley area were many stops such as Chillicothe, Frankfort, Good Hope, Greenfield, Roxabel, South Salem, and Washington Court House. Without the assistance of these important links, the Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad would not have been possible.
Location. 39° 36.418′ N, 83° 23.832′ W. Marker is in Bloomingburg, Ohio, in Fayette County. Marker is at the intersection
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018
2. Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad Marker
side B
of Main Street (Ohio Route 41) and Cross Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. marker is in front of the Bloomingburg Fire Department and Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 62 Main St,, Bloomingburg OH 43106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018
3. Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad Marker
full view of marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018
4. Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad Marker
as seen from corner of Main and Cross
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018
5. Bloomingburg Area Underground Railroad Marker
Bloomingburg Presbyterian Church, 2 blocks north of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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