Cazenovia in Madison County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Smithfield Community Center

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 25, 2022

1. Smithfield Community Center Marker

Inscription. The New York State Antislavery Society held its inaugural meeting here October 22, 1835. Abolitionists from across New York had met the day before at the Bleecker Street Presbyterian Church in Utica to form a state antislavery society. When unruly mobs disrupted the meeting and threatened the safety of the abolitionists, Gerrit Smith invited the assembly of 600 to reconvene in Peterboro.

Through the night over 400 abolitionists made their way to Peterboro by traveling on horseback, walking, riding in wagons, or taking a canal boat to Canastota. Peterboro residents opened their homes to feed and house the abolitionists. The next day October 22, the Society met in this building which was then the Peterboro Presbyterian Church. From that day forward, Peterboro became an active site of antislavery activities due to Smith’s lifetime commitment to the abolition cause.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1835.

Location. 42° 57.939′ N, 75° 41.268′ W. Marker is in Cazenovia, New York,

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in Madison County. It is on Pleasant Valley Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, Cazenovia NY 13035, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Central New York,

and in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: National Abolition Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); 1822-1911 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gerrit Smith (about 600 feet away); Gerrit Smith Estate (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Gerrit Smith Estate (about 700 feet away); The Land Office (about 700 feet away); Peterboro Land Office (about 800 feet away); Gerrit Smith: Humanitarian

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 25, 2022

2. Smithfield Community Center Marker

(about 800 feet away).

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 25, 2022

3. Smithfield Community Center Marker

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 25, 2022

4. Smithfield Community Center Marker

Building is on the National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan A. Dalaba, April 25, 2022

5. Building is on the National Register of Historic Places

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 5, 2025, by Susan A. Dalaba of Cortland, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.