Near Alma in Ross County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ross County Underground Railroad / The Underground Railroad
— Historic Underground Railroad Site —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 21, 2019
1. Ross County Underground Railroad Marker
Inscription.
Ross County Underground Railroad, also, The Underground Railroad. . The first known attempt to assist a runaway slave in Ross County was recorded in 1815, when local residents assisted a slave to safety in Franklin County. Quakers, the Presbyterians and African Americans were the principal participants who assisted in the movement of runaway slaves through Ross County on their way to Canada and to freedom. , The people of Ross County aided fugitives in many ways. Some conductors maintained stations or had safe houses for short-term safety, while others provided horses and wagons for carrying fugitives from place to place. Several conductors forged “free papers” and arranged for disguises to make the journey safer. The Quakers of Londonderry raised money to help defray costs while Presbyterian ministers openly preached the gospel of abolitionism and African Americans traveled long distances taking fugitives to safety. , A number of conductors operated over course of many years. John Harmon of South Salem, Harrison Valentine and Joseph Stillguess of Frankfort, Robert I. Robertson of Bourneville, the Claypools east of Chillicothe, the Steel family_west of town and, Albert Douglas, the Renicks, Chancellors of Chillicothe were just a few of these courageous people. , The Underground Railroad.The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery were sheltered, fed, clothed, nursed, concealed, disguised, and instructed during their journey to freedom. Although this movement was one of America’s greatest social, moral, and humanitarian endeavors, the details about it were often cloaked in secrecy to protect those involved from the retribution of civil law and slave-catchers. Ohio’s history has been permanently shaped by the thousands of runaway slaves passing through or finding permanent residence in this state.
The first known attempt to assist a runaway slave in Ross County
was recorded in 1815, when local residents assisted a slave to
safety in Franklin County. Quakers, the Presbyterians and African
Americans were the principal participants who assisted in the
movement of runaway slaves through Ross County on their way to
Canada and to freedom.
The people of Ross County aided fugitives in many ways. Some
conductors maintained stations or had safe houses for short-term
safety, while others provided horses and wagons for carrying
fugitives from place to place. Several conductors forged “free papers”
and arranged for disguises to make the journey safer. The Quakers
of Londonderry raised money to help defray costs while Presbyterian
ministers openly preached the gospel of abolitionism and African
Americans traveled long distances taking fugitives to safety.
A number of conductors operated over course of many years. John
Harmon of South Salem, Harrison Valentine and Joseph Stillguess of
Frankfort, Robert I. Robertson of Bourneville, the Claypools east of
Chillicothe, the Steel family_west of town and, Albert Douglas, the
Renicks, Chancellors of Chillicothe were just a few of these
courageous people.
The Underground Railroad.The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor
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a railroad, but a system of loosely connected safe havens where those escaping the brutal conditions of slavery were sheltered, fed, clothed, nursed, concealed, disguised, and instructed during their journey to freedom. Although this movement was one of America’s greatest social, moral, and humanitarian endeavors, the details about it were often cloaked in secrecy to protect those involved from the retribution of civil law and slave-catchers. Ohio’s history has been permanently shaped by the thousands of runaway slaves passing through or finding permanent residence in this state.
Erected by a co-sponsorship of ODOT and Friends of Freedom Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.
Location. 39° 12.903′ N, 82° 59.016′ W. Marker is near Alma, Ohio, in Ross County. Marker is at the intersection of Ohio Route 23 and Stoney Creek R0ad (Ohio Route 372), on the right when traveling north on State Route 23. It is at the entrance to the Scioto Trail State Forest and Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2679 US-23, Waverly OH 45690, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ohio and Erie Canal
3. Ross County Underground Railroad / The Underground Railroad Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
