Marine Park in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Lott House was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
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By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2025
1. The Lott House was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Marker
Although Hendrick I. Lott inherited his father's property, including enslaved persons, there were no slaves documented on the property in the 1800 Census. There were four free persons of color. They were freed more than two decades before slavery was officially abolished in New York State in 1827.
Family history suggests that the Lott family believed in the abolitionist movement. Manumission slips document the names of some of the people Hendrick freed. Oral history among the family tells the story of a closet within a closet on the second floor of the Lott House where the family hid freedom seekers - participating in the Underground Railroad. Newspaper pasted to the wall of this closet is dated June 10, 1863.
Several details come together with the family's oral history to bring credibility to the story. The most compelling is the geographical location of the Lott House. Located adjacent to Gerritsen's Creek, a tidal inlet, it was easily accessible to boats that may have come up the eastern shoreline. The property was also adjacent to the Flatbush Road and Kings Highway, which would have provided a relatively direct route to Weeksville, the free African American community located in present-day Crown Heights.
Today, the Lott House is recognized by New York State as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
this page online
Erected by Friends of the Lott House.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1863.
Location. 40° 36.625′ N, 73° 55.935′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Marine Park. It is on East 36th Street north of Avenue S, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1954 E 36th St, Brooklyn NY 11234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Hendrick I. Lott House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lott Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hendrick I. Lott House (within shouting distance of this marker); Firefighter Christopher Bopp Triangle (approx. Ό mile away); 9-11-01 Memorial Poles (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lt. Kenneth E Aimee (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sarsfield Playground (approx. Ύ mile away); Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo Triangle (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Other markers no longer nearby. Hendrick I. Lott House (was a few steps from this marker but
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2025
2. The Lott House was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
