Newport in Perry County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Newport Fugitive Slave Rescue

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 11, 2015

1. Newport Fugitive Slave Rescue Marker

Inscription. In July 1841, three Md. slaves, Alick, Tom, and Ben, were pursued to Newport by bounty hunters. While Ben drowned as he attempted to cross the Juniata River, the other two were captured. Several Newport citizens aided the fugitives’ escape, and in 1842 six of them were fined in a federal court for their actions. The event is an example of growing tensions between the North and the South prior to the Civil War that led to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.

Erected 2015 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1841.

Location. 40° 28.602′ N, 77° 7.963′ W. Marker is in Newport, Pennsylvania, in Perry County. It is at the intersection of Market Street (PA 34) and South 4th Street on Market Street (PA 34). The marker is near the Lutheran Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport PA 17074, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newport Historic District (here, next to this marker); St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (a few steps from

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this marker); The Settlement of Newport (a few steps from this marker); The Canal Era (a few steps from this marker); The Railroad Era (a few steps from this marker); Newport Heritage Park (a few steps from this marker); The Industrial and Manufacturing Era (a few steps from this marker); Floods! (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 11, 2015

2. Newport Fugitive Slave Rescue Marker

Lutheran Church-front view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 11, 2015

3. Lutheran Church-front view

Newport Fugitive Slave Rescue-reverse side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 11, 2015

4. Newport Fugitive Slave Rescue-reverse side of marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,601 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.