Blairsville in Indiana County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Wilkinson and the Kidnapping of 1858
The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2022
1. George Wilkinson and the Kidnapping of 1858 Marker
On April 1, 1858, Blairsville Constable George Wilkinson was summoned to quell a mob of angry Blairsville citizens. The mob, a mixture of black and white men, had surrounded three slave catchers who were attempting to kidnap a former slave named Richard Newman. Newman had been living in Blairsville, a hub of the UGRR, for nearly 6 years. Wilkinson did not recognize the validity of the warrant which the deputy carried and advised the slave catchers to leave Blairsville immediately.
George Wilkinson, who had resided here on Market Street, was the son of a Revolutionary War soldier, Mott Wilkinson, and had moved to Blairsville from the Scranton area in 1820.
In addition to his position as constable, Wilkinson was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the PA Militia, a master bricklayer, and owner of the Union House. At the time of his death in 1902, he was one of Blairsville's wealthiest men.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1858.
Location. 40° 25.842′ N, 79° 15.891′ W. Marker is in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, in Indiana County. Marker is on West Market Street just west of South Walnut Street (Pennsylvania Route
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chester C. Davis and the Kidnapping of 1858 (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Edward Emerson & Dred Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel McCune Safehouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Former Associate Reformed and United Presbyterian Churches (about 400 feet away); St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Rectory (about 500 feet away); Blairsville Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Blairsville Armory (about 600 feet away); Fugitive Slave Rescue (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blairsville.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Passport to Freedom: The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad
Also see . . . George Wilkinson.
At the age of 16, Mr. Wilkinson came to Blairsville, with his two brothers, Elisha and Daniel, to learn the bricklaying trade. The wage at that time paid bricklayers was $1 per thousand. In 1853 Mr. Wilkinson took charge of the Market house and paid a yearly rental of $80. This at that time was considered high, and the captain(Submitted on November 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)usually paid it by doing repair work for the owner. In 1873 Capt. Wilkinson bought the Union House, and conducted it until 1893, when he sold out. Capt. Wilkinson gained considerable fame during the year 1855 by saving the lives of the 604 passengers on board a river steamer on which he was a passenger going west.
2. Marker detail: Wilkinson’s Union House Hotel
3. Marker detail: George Wilkinson
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2022
4. George Wilkinson and the Kidnapping of 1858 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
