Ripley in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Eliza’s Tale

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2019

1. Eliza’s Tale Marker

Inscription. In the winter of 1838 a slave woman and her baby began their journey to freedom. To avoid capture in Kentucky she crossed the ice floes in the Ohio River to the safety of the Ripley Shore. The story of Eliza in Uncle Tom’s Cabin was based on this incident.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 38° 44.879′ N, 83° 50.904′ W. Marker is in Ripley, Ohio, in Brown County. Marker is on North Front Street north of Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ripley OH 45167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mr. Thomas Kirker (a few steps from this marker); Doctor Beasley (within shouting distance of this marker); First Home of Rev. John Rankin (within shouting distance of this marker); Rear Admiral Joseph Fyffe (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Residence of General Granville Moody (about 400 feet away); Site of the Home of Senator Alexander Campbell (about 400 feet away); John P. Parker Memorial Park (about 500 feet away); Charles Young in Ripley / Colonel Young's Achievements (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripley.

Also see . . .

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Wikipedia entry for Uncle Tom’s Cabin. “The character Eliza was inspired by an account given at Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati by John Rankin to Stowe’s husband Calvin, a professor at the school. According to Rankin, in February 1838 a young slave woman, Eliza Harris, had escaped across the frozen Ohio River to the town of Ripley with her child in her arms and stayed at his house on her way further north.” (Submitted on June 20, 2019.)

The Ohio River, the Kentucky Shore, and this Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 11, 2019

2. The Ohio River, the Kentucky Shore, and this Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.