Brookfield Center in Trumbull County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Underground Railroad
Activity of the Underground Railroad is believed to have begun in Brookfield Township around 1838 with the first known runaway slaves, two women. to pass through in 1843. Freedom seekers moved north using a system of routes known by operators. or "conductors". Trumbull County reputedly had over 150 miles of Underground Railroad routes, which would have made it the largest network in Ohio. The slaves that passed through Brookfield Township. came mostly from the Youngstown, Poland, and the Canfield areas. From Brookfield they were sent north to Hartford, Kinsman, Burghill, and Vienna ultimately headed to Canada.
As you are reading facing west, the Hinkley Hotel is on the right and the Hart store and Miner home are on the left. They were stations of the Underground Railroad. Most Underground Railroad journeys were made at night and all were hazardous. The Fugitive Act of 1850 allowed slave owners or their agents to travel north to retrieve their “property” and rewards were posted for the return of runaways. Joel Miner had a barn on his property in the area, which is believed to have sheltered many of the nearly 60 slaves that came through Brookfield. Members of Brookfield's abolitionist community who aided runaways include Ambrose Hart, a Mr. Coon, the Sutliff family, and Robert Montgomery.
Erected 2013 by Brookfield Township Historical Society • The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 27-78.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 41° 14.038′ N, 80° 34.1′ W. Marker is in Brookfield Center, Ohio, in Trumbull County. Marker is at the intersection of Ohio Route 7 and Warren-Sharon Road, on the left when traveling south on State Route 7. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brookfield OH 44403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. This Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Founder Judge Samuel C. Hinckley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brookfield Township (about 500 feet away); Second Oakland Avenue Bridge (approx. 3.6 miles away in Pennsylvania); Vienna Township Green and Cemetery / Vienna Township (approx. 5 miles away); Mary Ann Campana (approx. 5.4 miles away); Sharpsville Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away in Pennsylvania); Erie Extension Canal (approx. 5.6 miles away in Pennsylvania).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 394 times since then and 112 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 6, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.