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
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Kitty Payne died in 1850 at age 34. She is buried in Gettysburg's Lincoln Cemetery.
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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Historic Thomas Bros. Country Store (approx. 3.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away); POW and MIA Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away); Biglerville (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named Biglerville (approx. 4 miles away).
Related marker.
Also see . . . For the Cause: Gettysburg Histories - Website. 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.)
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 2,082 times since then and 192 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.
