Near Madison in Jefferson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chapman Harris

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

1. Chapman Harris Marker (side A)

Inscription. Harris, a free African American, came to Madison, 1839, as the fight over slavery along the Ohio River became more violent. He worked as a teamster, farmer, and Baptist minister. His family owned land in Eagle Hollow and Madison. Harris's activities to aid enslaved persons crossing the Ohio River at Madison became widely known throughout Indiana after the Civil War.

Harris faced assaults from slave-catchers; his hostility toward them and their allies led to his arrest and conviction for causing a riot in Madison, 1847. After the Civil War, Harris's influence continued as local political leaders sought his help to promote allegiance to the Republican Party among newly enfranchised African American voters. He died in 1890.

Erected 2016 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Jefferson County Commissioners • Visit Madison, Inc. (Marker Number 39.2016.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 38° 44.176′ N, 85° 20.334′ W. Marker is near Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Ohio River

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Scenic Byway (State Road 56) and South Eagle Hollow Road, on the right when traveling west on Ohio River Scenic Byway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2666 IN-56, Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Milton-Madison Bridge / Madison Breweries (approx. 1.7 miles away); Eagle Cotton Mill (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Settling of Madison (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Michael the Archangel (approx. 1.9 miles away); Little Jimmy (approx. 2 miles away); Eagle Cotton Mill / Gas, Coal & Tobacco (approx. 2 miles away); This Shell Fired into Vicksburg (approx. 2 miles away); Jefferson County (Indiana ) Civil War Memorial (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . Chapman Harris. He rarely talked about his Underground Railroad activities, but public records and later reminisces from friends reveal just how involved he was. (Indiana Historical Bureau) (Submitted on September 27, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Chapman Harris Marker (side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

2. Chapman Harris Marker (side B)

Chapman Harris Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

3. Chapman Harris Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.