New Concord in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The New Concord Underground Railroad

Civil War Story

Photographed by Betty Irick Blumenstein, August 5, 2020

1. The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker

Inscription.

“God had made of one blood all men to dwell upon the earth” -Reformed Presbyterian 1842

The Scotch-Irish residents of the New Concord area were predominantly Presbyterian, Reformed Presbyterian, Associate Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Presbyterian. The last three denominations were resolutely anti-slavery churches.

Hostile to the stringent Fugitive Slave Act (1855) as immoral, they joined like-minded people in Putnam (to the west) and Barnesville (to the east) in aiding brave fugitives fleeing north towards Roscoe. Norwich, Bloomfield and New Concord harbored a total of six “safehouses.” Fourteen residents were “conductors.”

The Alexander Brown House A cabin built on this site by David Findley in 1809 was the home of Alexander Brown, a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. Escaping slaves, such as Mary Adaline Lewis of Charlestown, Virginia, hid in a cave at the rear of the lot.

The Brick Hotel In the 1850’s Ichabod, Hannah, Levi, and Austin Grummond operated a “safehouse’ on the National Road, in an 1828 brick hotel built opposite here by Judge David Findley. To the east, Isaac Grummond had a

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“safehouse’ in his cabinet shop. To the west, Dr. John Hull published the Clarion of Freedom, an abolitionist newspaper (1846- 1856). The Grummonds were Presbyterian and ignored their denomination’s equivocation on slavery. They were included in the circle of radical religious thinkers who considered the Fugitive Slave Law immoral. These included Reformed Presbyterians Robert West Speer and his brother William, whose farms straddled the National Road west of town, and Associate Presbyterians Dr. John Hull, William and John Jamisom of Norwich and Samuel Scott of Bloomfield. James Boyd and Mitchell Cunningham were also “conductors.”

“Christian Soldiers, Marching as to War” Radical religious views on slavery propelled many local men to service in the Civil War, chiefly in Sherman’s command. Seventy percent of the male population of Union Township served as soldiers. They dominated companies of the 15th, 78th, and 97th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 78th was organized by Muskingum College’s music teacher, Horace Munson. Robert Burns Brown, Alexander’s son, was given the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions at Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga,

The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Betty Irick Blumenstein, August 5, 2020

2. The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker Reverse

Tennessee. His Muskingum College classmate, William Richey, received the honor at Chickamauga. George Loyd was so recognized for action at Vicksburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 59.609′ N, 81° 44.152′ W. Marker is in New Concord, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It is on West Main Street (Old National Road) (U.S. 22/40) east of Spragg Alley, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 64 West Main Street, New Concord OH 43762, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Photographed by Betty Irick Blumenstein, August 5, 2020

3. The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker

distance of this marker: Boyhood Home of John H. Glenn, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); John Glenn (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of William Rainey Harper (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Francis Harper (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Concord War Memorial (about 400 feet away); New Concord (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named New Concord (about 400 feet away); College Drive Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Concord.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 3, 2022

4. The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 3, 2022

5. The New Concord Underground Railroad Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,267 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.