Near Greensburg in Decatur County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Escape of Caroline, 1847
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
1. Side 'One' - - Escape of Caroline, 1847 Marker
Caroline and her four children escaped Kentucky slave owner October 31, 1847; they crossed Ohio River near Madison. After passing near here, Fugit Township black and white residents hid family close to Clarksburg. While hidden, family seized by a white resident, but escaped before owner claimed them. Residents separated family to avoid another capture.
Family members safely escorted from Decatur County and reunited in Union County. Family reached Canada.
The Underground Railroad refers to a widespread network of diverse people in the nineteenth century who aided slaves escaping to freedom from the southern U.S.
Erected 2008 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Decatur County Freedom Trails Association, and the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology; IDNR. (Marker Number 16.2008.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1856.
Location. 39° 22.724′ N, 85° 23.417′ W. Marker is near Greensburg, Indiana, in Decatur County. Marker is at the intersection
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Civil War General John T. Wilder (approx. 5˝ miles away); Wilder Building (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Naegel Building (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Erdman Building (approx. 5.7 miles away); Bracken Building (approx. 5.7 miles away); Donnell -V.- State, 1852 (approx. 5.7 miles away); Colonel Thomas Hendricks / Elizabeth Trimble Hendricks (approx. 5.7 miles away); Huber Building (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensburg.
Regarding Escape of Caroline, 1847. The man that seized them did so to collect the $500 bounty advertised by Caroline's owner. In today's dollars that is more than $15,000.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB). The IHB provides reference notes on the text of this marker. (Submitted on February 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
2. Side 'Two' - - Escape of Caroline, 1847 Marker
2. Indiana Historical Bureau entry for this marker. This entry includes the annotations for each sentence and fact on the inscription of this historical marker. Excerpt:
According to William M. Hamilton, a participant in Caroline's escape, a man named Waggoner, from Madison, escorted Caroline and her children to Douglas McCoy in Decatur County, Indiana. They arrived at about 2:00 or 3:00 A.M. on November 1, 1847. ...(Submitted on October 24, 2020.)
A couple from the black settlement took two of Caroline's children to William Beard in Union County, Indiana. Blacks from the settlement disguised Caroline as a man and escorted her through Clarksburg to meet Luther Donnell and William Hamilton. Other black residents carried Caroline's remaining two children around Clarksburg, also meeting Donnell and Hamilton.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
3. Looking South - - Escape of Caroline, 1847 Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
4. Looking North - - Escape of Caroline, 1847 Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
5. "Kingston Presbyterian Church" - Founded in 1823
The "Kingston Presbyterian Church" is across the County road from the Cemetery.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
6. Sign - - "Kingston Presbyterian Church" - Founded in 1823
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 35 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week October 25, 2020. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
