Bendersville in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Kidnapped
Photographed By Karl Stelly, December 13, 2010
1. "Kidnapped" Wayside Exhibit Marker
In front of the Elkhorn Inn
Inscription.
Kidnapped. . In the early hours of July 24, 1845, five men left their horses at Myers' Tavern, got into a wagon, and proceeded north to Bear Mountain. There they entered the cabin where Kitty Payne and her children slept, forced them into the wagon at gunpoint, and fled.
Born a slave in Virginia in 1816, Kitty Payne was freed by owner Mary Maddox in 1843. Mrs. Maddox settled Kitty's family in Adams County and filed manumission papers in the local court. Mrs. Maddox later deeded her property to a nephew, Samuel. But, as residuary heir, he had used his aunt's slaves for collateral for his debts. He hired kidnapper Thomas Finnegan and his gang to help him return Kitty's family to slavery in Virginia.
After almost a year in "protective custody" in jail, while the case wound its way through court, Kitty and her family were finally freed with the help of the Menallen Friends (local Quakers)---notably Cyrus Griest, who paid for her attorney---and neighbors who testified on her behalf.
Thomas Finnegan, later found guilty of assault, battery, and kidnapping, was sentenced to five years at hard labor; he served less than two. Samuel Maddox received no punishment. Although Kitty later sued him for assault, battery, and kidnapping, she was never compensated.
Kitty Payne died in 1850 at age 34. She is buried in Gettysburg's Lincoln Cemetery.
In the early hours of July 24, 1845, five men left their horses at Myers' Tavern, got into a wagon, and proceeded north to Bear Mountain. There they entered the cabin where Kitty Payne and her children slept, forced them into the wagon at gunpoint, and fled.
Born a slave in Virginia in 1816, Kitty Payne was freed by owner Mary Maddox in 1843. Mrs. Maddox settled Kitty's family in Adams County and filed manumission papers in the local court. Mrs. Maddox later deeded her property to a nephew, Samuel. But, as residuary heir, he had used his aunt's slaves for collateral for his debts. He hired kidnapper Thomas Finnegan and his gang to help him return Kitty's family to slavery in Virginia.
After almost a year in "protective custody" in jail, while the case wound its way through court, Kitty and her family were finally freed with the help of the Menallen Friends (local Quakers)---notably Cyrus Griest, who paid for her attorney---and neighbors who testified on her behalf.
Thomas Finnegan, later found guilty of assault, battery, and kidnapping, was sentenced to five years at hard labor; he served less than two. Samuel Maddox received no punishment. Although Kitty later sued him for assault, battery, and kidnapping, she was never compensated.
Kitty Payne died in 1850 at age 34. She is buried in Gettysburg's Lincoln Cemetery.
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Erected 2010 by For the Cause Productions, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is July 24, 1869.
Location. 39° 58.959′ N, 77° 14.961′ W. Marker is in Bendersville, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on South Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Wayside exhibit marker is on the front porch of the Elkhorn Inn in the heart of Bendersville. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South Main Street, Bendersville PA 17306, United States of America. Touch for directions.
An artist's rendering of Kitty Payne's log cabin at Bear Mountain
. This is the website of the organization that helped to erect this "Kidnapped" Wayside Exhibit Marker. (Submitted on December 13, 2010, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Karl Stelly, December 13, 2010
3. "Kidnapped" Wayside Exhibit Marker
Myers' Tavern, 1890, in Bendersville, Pennsylvania
Photographed By Karl Stelly, December 13, 2010
4. "Kidnapped" Wayside Exhibit Marker
This photo shows its location in front of the Elkhorn Inn.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, December 13, 2010
5. The Elkhorn Inn in Bendersville, PA
The marker can be seen to the left of the front door.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, December 13, 2010
6. "Kidnapped" Wayside Exhibit Marker
The Payne Family - Artist renderings of Kitty Payne with children Mary, Eliza, and James Arthur as they might have looked in 1845.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2010, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,154 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 13, 2010, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
