New Brighton in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Underground Railroad

Robert Townsend

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

1. Underground Railroad Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Robert Townsend was a Quaker. Abolitionist and an industrialist. Runaways traveling up the Beaver River were given safe refuge via stone steps in the rear of his 1835 home. When two local boys were kidnapped and sold into slavery. His committee financed the search for their return. One rescued boy lived in his home for nine years.

Erected by New Brighton Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 40° 43.551′ N, 80° 18.406′ W. Marker is in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. Marker is on Pennsylvania Route 65 south of 16th Street, on the right when traveling south. Located at JJ Pratt Funeral Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton PA 15066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Townsend House (here, next to this marker); This Tablet Marks the Site of (approx. 0.2 miles away); Townsend Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Childhood Home of Edward Dempster Merrick

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(approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Underground Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); White Cottage (approx. 0.4 miles away); Christ Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Brighton.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

2. Underground Railroad Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.