Chillicothe in Ross County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Underground Railroad in Chillicothe / Ross County
Historic Underground Railroad Site
In 1836, the Chillicothe Presbytery issued a letter to a sister church in Mississippi outlining a strong stand against slavery. Many of the Chillicothe Presbyterians were UGRR operators. Among that group were Rev. Hugh Fullerton, the Renicks, Rev. W.H. Beecher, J.R. Allston, John Harmon, David Pricer, J. Anderson, and James, John, and Sam Steel. Others in Ross County who assisted in the work were A. Douglas, F. Silvey, R. Stewart, I. Claypool, E. Tulley, the Morgans, A. Dean, I. Robertson, R. Scott, Satterfield Scott, J. Cumbeck, J. Sampler, and K. Galbraith.
The African American community began to assist fugitve slaves as early as 1815 and continued until there was no need for the Underground Railroad. People of Color who participated were Richard Chancellor and his sons, Rev. W.M. Mitchell, John and Jesse Fidler, Charles Langston, James Leach, Thomas Woodson, Andrew Redman, J. Stillguess, T. Isaacs, J. Jackson, Harrison Valentine and the Butler, Hubbard, and Hamilton families. The First Baptist Church, an Anti-slavery Baptist Church, and Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, were both active in the movement.
The Quaker settlements east of Chillicothe cooperated with other Quakers in assisting runaway slaves.
In spite of opposition from slavecatchers. pro-slavery advocates and bounty hunters, the Underground in Ross County and Chillicothe aided many thousands of runaway slaves in their quest for freedom.
Erected by Youth Crime Watch of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe Metropolitan Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 39° 19.877′ N, 82° 59.096′ W. Marker is in Chillicothe, Ohio, in Ross County. Marker is at the intersection of West Fourth Street and South Walnut Street, on the left when traveling west on West Fourth Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 S Walnut St, Chillicothe OH 45601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Chillicothe Gazette (about 600 feet away); Home of Chillicothe Newspapers (about 600 feet away); Historic Site in Journalism (about 600 feet away); A Replica of Ohio's First Capitol (about 600 feet away); A Cannon Captured from the British in Revolutionary War. (about 600 feet away); Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Donald E. McHenry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chillicothe.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,642 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 3, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.