Hadley Township near Barry in Pike County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter Homestead
New Philadelphia Walking Tour
| | Augmented Reality Guidepost 10 | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
1. Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter Homestead Marker
As you rejoin the outbound path, look across the blacktop to the place where Free Frank McWorter's house stood. Most of what you see to the north of town belonged to the McWorter family well into the 20th century. Born in slavery in South Carolina at the time of the Revolutionary War, Frank McWorter worked all of his life to free himself, his wife, his children and grandchildren. By the time he died in 1854, all of his children were free, but grandchildren remained in bondage and he left provision in his will for the struggle to continue to free them. Free Lucy McWorter lived on the farm until her death in 1870, at the age of 99.
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Erected by NPS Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, and the New Philadelphia Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, New Philadelphia National Historic Site Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 39° 41.846′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rev. Christopher Sanborn Luce (here, next to this marker); Hadley Station (within shouting distance of this marker); John Bixler and Kezia Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
2. Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter Homestead Marker
Looking west
Also see . . . New Philadelphia National Historic Site. (Submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
