Jamestown in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Underground Railroad

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 2021

1. The Underground Railroad Marker

Inscription.
Here at the home of Silas Shearman pioneer settler and ardent abolitionist was the principal Jamestown “station” of the Underground Railroad where in the late fifties escaping slaves from the south were sheltered and assisted on their way to freedom in Canada.

Erected 1927 by Jamestown Centennial Commission; and the State of New York.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Network to Freedom series list.

Location. 42° 5.829′ N, 79° 14.404′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, New York, in Chautauqua County. It can be reached from Pine Street just south of East 4th Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located beside the Chautauqua County building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 East 4th Street, Jamestown NY 14701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Southern

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

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

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Furniture Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Edith M. Ainge (within shouting distance of this marker); Thurston Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Jamestown Academy (about 400 feet away); The First Newspaper (about 400 feet away); Keyes' Carpenter Shop (about 400 feet away); 410 North Main Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.

Also see . . . The Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County. Chautauqua website PDF:
In Jamestown the affairs of the Underground Railroad seem to have

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 2021

2. The Underground Railroad Marker

been directed by Silas Shearman who was known as its agent. The Jamestown station was the old Shearman home which stood at the corner of Pine and Fourth streets. Frank E. Shearman, Sr., a grandson of Silas Shearman, related that it was not an uncommon experience for him to come down in the morning and find his kitchen filled with escaping slaves who had been brought to Jamestown during the night. Mr. Shearman would feed the group of hungry passengers and secrete them during the day in the hay in his barn. His duty then was to collect sufficient funds from the railroad supporters, if money was needed, and to arrange transportation or guidance to the next station. (Submitted on July 26, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 2021

3. The Underground Railroad Marker

(looking south • Pine Street to the right • Chautauqua County building in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,015 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.