Arbor Hill in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence

Underground Railroad Heritage Trail

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2019

1. Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Marker

Inscription. Stephen Myers and his wife Harriet were the leaders of the Underground Railroad in Albany in the 1850s. Born enslaved in Rensselaer County, New York, in 1800, Stephen Myers was freed at age eighteen. By 1831 he and Harriet were assisting freedom seekers pursuing liberty.

In 1842, along with Charles Morton and John G. Stewart, Stephen Myers established the Northern Star and Freeman's Advocate, a newspaper in which he wrote openly about aiding fugitives from southern slavery, the need for temperance, self-help, and opposition to slavery. The Myerses devoted their lives to the advocacy of social and economic equality for African Americans through their work in the fields of education, economic development, labor, and voting rights.

In 1844, the antislavery publication The Liberator described the Albany Underground Railroad as having "the reputation of being the most efficient organization in the state of New York, in the business of aiding the way-worn and weather-beaten refugee from slavery's shambles."

Erected by Underground Railroad Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 42° 39.668′

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N, 73° 45.263′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Arbor Hill. It is on Livingston Avenue 0.1 miles east of Lark Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany NY 12210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Capital District.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ten Broeck Family Burial Vault (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abraham Ten Broeck (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brig. Gen. Abraham Ten Broeck (approx. ¼ mile away); Ten Broeck Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Henry Johnson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chapman House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Boardman & Gray Piano Factory (approx. half a mile away); Lil's Diner (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

Regarding Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. Currently home of the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc.

Also see . . .
1. Stephen Myers (Wikipedia). His major contributions to the Underground Railroad include sending runaway slaves to Canada from Albany. The Myers's home also served as a safe house for slaves during their escape to the North. The odd thing was that Myers having fugitive slaves in his home was not a

Marker detail: Stephen Meyers from <i>The Autobiography of William Henry Johnson</i>, 1900 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Stephen Meyers from The Autobiography of William Henry Johnson, 1900

secret affair, it was simply treated as common knowledge in regards to Myers's involvement with the Underground Railroad. (Submitted on January 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region. The Underground Railroad was the movement that enslaved African Americans used to gain freedom in the 19th Century. The Capital Region of New York State was visited by thousands of fugitives seeking freedom in the years prior to the Civil War. Underground Railroad History Project seeks to acknowledge the active underground railroad movement in our region, and to raise awareness about and stimulate interest in this little recognized and inspiring part of our history. (Submitted on January 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: The Albany Vigilance Committee image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society

3. Marker detail: The Albany Vigilance Committee

The Albany Vigilance Committee was a group of local residents who actively aided fugitives from slavery.

Marker detail: <i>Northern Star and Freemen’s Advocate</i> image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the New York State Library

4. Marker detail: Northern Star and Freemen’s Advocate

Stephen Myers used his position as the editor of the Northern Star and Freemen’s Advocate to call for training and aid for newly freed African Americans.

Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2019

5. Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Marker (wide view)

Underground Railroad History Project Plaque<br>(<i>mounted just left of the entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2019

6. Underground Railroad History Project Plaque
(mounted just left of the entrance)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.