Alton in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lyman Trumbull House
New Birth of Freedom
Looking for Lincoln
The stately house down the block once housed the co-author of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States.In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve." —Abraham Lincoln
Now a private residence, the Trumbull House was the home of Senator Lyman Trumbull. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he spearheaded and helped pass the 13th Amendment.
Trumbull was a staunch Union supporter and a strong ally of Abraham Lincoln. Trumbull defeated Stephen A. Douglas in the 1835 U.S. Senate race after Abraham Lincoln threw his support to Trumbull. Their wives were bridesmaids in each other's weddings.
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Trumbull served in Illinois Secretary of State, on the Supreme Court of Illinois, and as U.S. Senator from 1855 to 1873.
Built sometime between 1820 and 1837, the Trumbull House is a National Historic Landmark.
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly
this page online
—13th Amendmen
The 13th Amendment took a great deal of courage and vision to write and ratify. But Trumbull is not the only Alton resident to fight for freedom. Many years before, Elijah P. Lovejoy defended liberty with his life. What happened? Find out more at the Lovejoy Monument.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 38° 53.885′ N, 90° 10.579′ W. Marker is in Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Henry Street and East 12th Street, on the right when traveling north on Henry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 549 East 12th Street, Alton IL 62002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Haskell Playhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Scott Bibb and the Alton School Desegregation Case (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alton & Sangamon Railroad (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ryder Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Alton (approx. Ύ mile away); Lincoln-Douglas Debates! (approx. Ύ mile away); Discover History All Around Alton (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alton.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
