Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

William Camp Gildersleeve

(1795-1871)

Photographed By PaulwC3, August 4, 2013

1. William Camp Gildersleeve Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Prominent merchant and ardent abolitionist significant to the Underground Railroad in Wilkes-Barre. He provided refuge to fugitive slaves at his home and business near here. In 1853, Gildersleeve testified in a U.S. Supreme Court case, Maxwell vs. Righter, in which a fugitive, William Thomas, was shot and wounded by deputy U.S. marshals. The case and his testimony received national attention, especially in African American newspapers.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Abolition & Underground RR. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 41° 14.439′ N, 75° 53.404′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is on East Ross Street, 0.1 miles west of South Pennsylvania Avenue. The marker is located on the front lawn of the Wilkes Barre City Fire Head Quarters. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 - 22 East Ross Street, Wilkes Barre PA 18701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Nicholas R. C. Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Gymnasium (about 700 feet away); St. Conrad's Young Men's Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Class of 1999 Senior Class Gift (approx. ¼ mile away); Main Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Sordoni Art Gallery (approx. ¼ mile away); Zebulon Butler House (approx. ¼ mile away); New Men's Dormitory (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Also see . . . Pennsylvania Heritage: "In Immortal Splendor" Wilkes-Barre Fugitive Slave Case of 1853. (Submitted on August 13, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the William Camp Gildersleeve Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By PaulwC3, August 4, 2013

2. Wide view of the William Camp Gildersleeve Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 989 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.