New Yorkers Active in the Underground Railroad

For historians and students of New York history and culture

New Yorkers Active in the Underground Railroad

Following is descriptive information on the New Yorkers known to have played a role in the Underground Railroad. Information on this page is linked to sources of additional information about the individuals, including portraits and web biographies where these are known to exist. Persons wishing to contribute information to this page are invited to contact the site editor.

NOTE:
The letters SVC following Onondaga (County) indicates the Syracuse Vigilance Committee.
Sources: S1-Siebert Index Listing, S2-Siebert Text, H-Hunter M-Merrill, HM-Historical Marker

Name Description Locations

Agan, P. H.
Occupation: Publisher
Source(s): S1H Editor of the Syracuse Daily Standard Onondaga SVC

Aldrich
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Andrew
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Andrews, Josiah
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Anthony, Asa
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Uncle of Susan B. Had a farm on Rapids Street (now Brooks Avenue). His direct involvement was documented by Frederick Douglass. Monroe

Anthony, Daniel
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Father of Susan B. Merrill found no evidence of his direct involvement in the UGRR. Monroe
[Grave Site]

Anthony, Mary
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Sister of Susan B. Monroe
[Grave Site]

Avery, Geo. A.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Founded Monroe County Bible Society. His shop at 12 Buffalo (Main) St. In Rochester was a station. Monroe

Balcom, Judge
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Steuben

Barbour
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Onondaga

Barker, Gideon
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Barnes, George
Occupation: Railroader
Source(s): S1
[Portrait] Was Superintendent of Syracuse and Utica Railroad. Published first NYS Republican newspaper outside of NYC, the Syracuse Evening Chronicle. Later successful as a banker and manufacturer. Onondaga SVC

Bates, Abner
Occupation: Tanner
Source(s): S1H Bates was a shopkeeper who belonged to the Congregational Church in Syracuse Onondaga SVC

Berry, Col.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chenango

Binmore, Thomas
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Niagara

Bishop, W. G.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Possibly William Bishop, a minister in the AME Zion Church, and friend of Jermain Loguen Monroe

Bloss, William Clough
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Lived on Lower East Avenue in Rochester, later of Cuyler Building, published abolitionist newspaper Rights of Man in the 1830s, served in NYS Assembly. Monroe

Bostwick, Nelson
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Neighbor of Douglass on Alexande St. in Rochester Monroe

Bragdon, George L.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Breck, Allen Y.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Brewster, Judge
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Genesee

Briggs
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 New York

Carpenter
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Carson
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Onondaga

Case, Dea.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Allegany

Chapin, Willard J.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Chaplin, Gen. William L.
Occupation: Health Care (later)
Source(s): S1 William Chaplin was an agent of the NY Anti-Slavery Society. Chaplin was arrested in Rockville, MD in 1850 with two men who had been held in slavery by members of the US Congress from Georgia. Chaplin was held in a DC jail on $25,000 bail, where he was married to Theodosia Gilbert, business partner of James Caleb Jackson in the Glen Haven Water Cure. Albany

Chapman, Capt.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Cattaraugus

Chase
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Ulster

Childs, W. H.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Niagara

Clary, Lyman
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Onondaga SVC

Colby, Col.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Ulster

Comstock, Dea.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Genesee

Cooper, William
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Cattaraugus

Cranston
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Croffts, Mrs.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Degarmo, Rhoda
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Friend and neighbor of the Anthony family Monroe

Delavan, Edward Cornelius
Occupation: Publisher
Source(s): S1 Wealthy individual. Financed NYS Temperance Union. Built Delevan House Hotel in Albany. Known to have sent support to Anti-Slavery Kansas settlers. Delevan appears in the Dictionary of American Biography Albany

Dolley, Drs. L.C & Sarah Adamson
Occupation: Physicians
Source(s): S1M Lived on East Ave in Rochester next to William C. Bloss. Monroe

Douglass, Frederick
Occupation: Publisher
Source(s): S1
[Biographical]
[Portrait] Published The North Star and Frederick Douglass' Paper at Rochester. A fugitive from slavery in Maryland settled in Rochester, lectured and published against slavery, promoted various approaches to self-reliance among African Americans. Most famous as an orator, he helped Lincoln decide to make Emancipation a goal of the Civil War, after which he held several prominent positions, including Minister to Haiti. Monroe
[Home Site]

Downing, George T.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 New York

Doy, Dr. John
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Ely, Sterling & L. Sheldon
Occupation:
Source(s): HM Historical Marker on Como Park Blvd. in Cheektowaga, NY: Site of Underground Railway Station Sterling Ely, and his brother, L. Sheldon Ely, both Abolitionists, operated an Underground Railway Station between the years 1850 and 1863. At least 26 escaping black slaves were housed in a double-floored barn, located on this site, during their flight to freedom in Canada. Erected by Town of Cheektowaga 1969. Erie

Fairbank, Calvin
Occupation:
Source(s): M Spent a total of 17 years in Kentucky prisosn for aiding escapes to freedom. Freed from prison in 1864 at Lincoln's request. Story discussed in Delia Webster and the Underground Railroad by Randolph Paul Runyon. Born in Pike, died in Angelica. Allegany

Falls, Wm. S.
Occupation: Printer
Source(s): S1M Foreman at the Daily Democrat, located in same building as North Star office. Hid fugitives in press room, raised money locally for fugitive aid. Monroe

Fish, Benjamin
Occupation: Miller
Source(s): S1M Hicksite Quaker, had a shop on State St. in Rochester. A founder of Fourierist Utopian society in Sodus Bay. Monroe

Fish, Mrs. Sarah
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Fox, Edward
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Frank, Dr. Augustus
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

French
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Frink, Rev.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Fuller, James Canning & Lydia
Occupation:
Source(s): M Their home at 98 West Genesee St. in Skaneateles has been identified by several sources as a station. Papers in the Gerrit Smith Collection at SU document the Fullers' role in purchasing the freedom of Harriet Russell and her family. Her descendants still live in Peterboro. The Fullers were also friends of Jermain Loguen, and it was at their home he was found safe when it was feared slave hunters were after him. (Illustration provided by Dru Wheelin) Onondaga
[Home Site]

Galusha, Rev. Ellin
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Gates, Seth M.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Gibbs
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 New York

Gibbs, Isaac
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Gilbert, Grove S.
Occupation: Portrait Painter
Source(s): S1M Lived on Grieg Street in Rochester Monroe

Goodwin
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 One of the editors of the abolitionist Albany Patriot newspaper and member of Albany Vigilance Committee in mid 1840s Albany

Hallowell, Mary H.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1
[Portrait] Mary H. (Post) Hallowell was the daughter of Amy and Isaac Post. She attended the 1848 Women's Rights convention in Seneca Falls, where she was a signer of the Declaration of Sentiments. She was elected a Secretary of the Rochester Convention that followed a few weeks later. Monroe

Hallowell, William R.
Occupation: Woolens Manufacturer
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Haywood, Hon. Wm.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Hooper, John H.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Black laborer in Troy. Also served as head of Troy Vigilance Committee in late 1850s. Rensselaer

Hopper, Isaac T.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Isaac Hopper moved to NYC from Philadelphia in 1829. He was prominent in UGRR activities in PA and reportedly paid the legal expenses of Rev. Richard Allen, a prominent clergyman arrested as a fugitive from slavery. New York

UGRR Sites:
Issac Hopper Home

Huftelen, E.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Genesee

Humphrey, George H.
Occupation: Lawyer
Source(s): S1M Lived in house with vertical calpboards at Genesee and Elmdorf in Rochester Monroe

Husbands, J. D.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Jackson, James Caleb
Occupation:
Source(s): S1
[Biographical]
[Portrait] Active in the UGRR in Oswego (Mexico) and Albany counties, moved to Peterboro at urging of Gerrit Smith. Jackson was Editor of the Albany Patriot and the Liberty Press, both abolitionist papers. Later obtained medical training and established Glen Haven Water Cure on Skaneateles Lake with business partner Theodosia Gilbert (who later married Will Chaplin). Moved to Dansville, where he established Our Home Water Cure with partner Dr. Harriet Austin. Present (along with Gilbert) at 1850 Cazenovia Fugitive Slave Law Convention. Albany, Oswego

James, Thomas
Occupation: Minister
Source(s): S1M Born into slavery in NYS. Moved to Rochester in 1823. Pastor of Rochester Methodist Church, which was a station before and during his service there. Monroe

Jarvis, Dr.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Madison

Johnson, Geo. W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Johnson, Oliver
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 New York

Jones, John W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Himself a fugitive from slavery in Virginia, Jones ran the station at Elmira, which was literally a station on the Northern Central Railroad. The line connected Harrisburg, PA to Niagara Falls, and became active in the 1850s. Fugitives reportedly were hidden in freight cars in the middle of the night, and departed in the morning with the knowledge of the railroad crews. Chemung

Kedzie, John
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Knowlton
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Langdon, Jervis
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chemung

Lee, Rev. Luther
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H Wesleyan Methodist Minister Onondaga

Levenworth, C. W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H
[Portrait] Probably means Elias W. Leavenworth, Lawyer, politician, former Mayor of Syracuse Onondaga SVC

Little, John
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Loguen, Rev. Jermain Wesley
Occupation: Clergy
Source(s): S1H
[Biographical]
[Portrait] Less well known than his friend Frederick Douglass, Loguen was also a fugitive from slavery (in Tennessee), and considered by some the better orator. Became Elder, and ultimately Bishop in the AME Zion Church, prominent in the NYS Convention movement among African American men. Published a biography, founded schools, the Stationmaster at Syracuse, the most openly publicized on the UGRR. Involved in Jerry Rescue. Named a son after Gerrit Smith. One daughter was among the first women to graduate medical school in Syracuse, another (Amelia) married Lewis Douglass, son of Frederick and Anna Douglass. Onondaga SVC

UGRR Sites:
Jerry Rescue Site

Lyman, R. W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Marsh, Joseph
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Lived next door to Frederick Douglass on Alexander Street, in Rochester Monroe

May, Rev. Samuel J.
Occupation: Clergy
Source(s): S1
[Biographical]
[Portrait] Samuel J. May was a Unitarian minister and agent of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Though a pacifist, he was involved in the Jerry Rescue in Syracuse. May published circulars in support of Jermain W. Loguen's efforts to raise money to assist fugitives from slavery. Published a book on the anti-slavery struggle. Onondaga

McDonald, Daniel
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Genesee

McKay, F. C. D.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Miller, Frank
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Minor (Miner), Rev. Ovid
Occupation: Clergy
Source(s): S1H Congregational minister in Syracuse. Onondaga

Moore, Dea. Henry.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Moore, Isaac
Occupation:
Source(s): M First resident of Babcock Homestead at 1496 Clover Rd, used as a station. Monroe

Moore, Lindley Murray
Occupation: Teacher
Source(s): S1M First head of Rochester Anti-Slavery Society. Later had a farm on Lake Avenue in Rochester Monroe

Morris, J. P.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Mott, Abigail
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 One of two Quaker sisters who were well known for assisting fugitives in Albany. Mentioned in Austin Beares' narrative Fugitive Slave Law Days In Boston. Albany

Mott, Lydia
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 One of two sister Quaker sisters from Albany known for assisting fugitives. She also was a noted tutor for Black youth, notably Frederick Douglass' nine year old daughter in the late 1850s. Albany

Myers, Stephen
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Stephen Myers is known to have helped fugitives from 1831. A former New York slave, freed in 1818, he published several temperance and abolitionist newspapers most notably The Northern Star and Freeman's Advocate in most of the 1840s. By the late 1840s and to the Civil War he headed the Albany Vigilance Committee. Albany

Pennington, Ray
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 New York

Pettit, Dr. J.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Chautauqua

Pettit, Eber M.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Pettit authored a book on the activities of the UGRR in Western New York. Chautauqua

Pitts, Gideon, Jr.
Occupation:
Source(s): M
[Portrait] Honeoye abolitionist, colleague of Frederick Douglass. His daughter Helen became Douglass' second wife. Their home was an identified station. Portrait is of Helen Pitts. Monroe

Poenix, Samuel F.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Porter, Samuel D.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M First Secretary of Rochester Anti-Slavery Society, used his barn as a station. Douglass' daughter Anne was buried in his family plot, while Douglass was in England. Monroe

Post, Amy (Kirby)
Occupation:
Source(s): S1
[Portrait] Abolitionist, Temperance worker and Women's Rights advocate, Amy Post was a good friend of Frederick Douglass and active in Rochester's Underground Railroad activity. She was present at the 1848 Women's Rights conventions and a signer of the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments. Monroe

Post, Isaac
Occupation: Druggist
Source(s): S1 Husband of Amy Post Monroe

Putnam, Hiram
Occupation: Clerk
Source(s): S1H Member of SJ May's Unitarian Church Onondaga SVC

Quinby, Henry
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Lived on Clover St. in Rochester. Original house gone. Monroe

Ray, Rev. Charles B.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H Editor of the Colored American, active in the convention movement of the 1840's. Ray was one of several prominent African Americans who assisted in selecting beneficiaries for gifts of land made by Gerrit Smith. New York

Raymond, Rev Robert
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H Baptist Minister Onondaga SVC

Richardson, M. C
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Niagara

Ruggles, David
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Major Stationmaster in NYC. Aided Frederick Douglass in his escape from slavery. New York

Salmon, George
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Salmon, Wm. Lyman
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H "Old Oswego" of Jerry Rescue fame Oswego

Sampson, Ashley S.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Sheltered fugitives in his Brooks Ave. home in Rochester Monroe

Sedgwick, Charles B.
Occupation: Attorney
Source(s): S1 Sedgwick was a prominent Syracuse attorney. He represented Gerrit Smith's interests, and his firm (and its successor) continued to do so through the last living Smith descendant in Central NY. Onondaga SVC

Seward, Frances and William H.
Occupation: Politician (W.H)
Source(s): MH
[Portrait] The Sewards took into their home Harriet Tubman's favorite niece, Margaret, after she was liberated from slavery by her aunt. They reportedly had rooms in their mansion in Auburn where fugitives were housed. Sold Tubman a home in Auburn when it was illegal to do so. William H. was a former Governor and the US Senator from New York when he signed a bail bond for the Jerry Rescuers (he was not present for the rescue). He also made that great speech on "The Irrepressible Conflict." Cayuga

Shepard, Col. Charles O.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Sherman, Dr.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Shipherd, Rev. Fayette
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Rensselaer

Sleeper, Col. Reuben
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Was President of Livingston Anti-Slavery Society. Merrill found no evidence of direct involvement in UGRR Livingston

Smith, Dr. James McCune
Occupation: Physician
Source(s): S1H Prominent in African American Convention movement, chaired the convention at which the Radical Abolitionist Party was formed. New York

Smith, Hon. Gerrit
Occupation: Landowner
Source(s): S1
[Biographical]
[Portrait] A central character in 19th Century reform. Cousin to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, father of Elizabeth Smith Miller (who invented Bloomers). He was a Stationmaster on the UGRR, served in Congress, subsidized the work of Frederick Douglass, John Brown, Jermain Loguen and many others, gave away 200,000 acres of land to poor, mostly black men, signed Jefferson Davis' bail bond after the War. After Abolition, his primary interests were Temperance, free trade, land reform, and female dress reform. Madison
[Home Site]

UGRR Sites:
Gerrit Smith Estate Jerry Rescue Site

Smith, Vivus W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1H Onondaga SVC

Spauling, Lyman
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Niagara

Stevens, Ard. H.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Stewart, Alvan
Occupation: Attorney
Source(s): S1H Oneida

Thacher, Judge Otis
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Steuben

Thayer, George
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Thomas, John
Occupation: Attorney, Publisher
Source(s): S1 John Thomas was editor of the Liberty Party Paper in Syracuse, funded by Gerrit Smith. When that paper was "merged" with the North Star to allow Smith to direct his funding to Frederick Douglass' Paper, Thomas began editing a Temperance paper. He was a member of the Syracuse Vigilance Committee, has been identified as the writer/editor of Jermain Wesley Loguen's biography (also funded by Smith), and, as Chairman of the Jerry Rescue Committee, was recipient of Smith's ominous warning to look for insurrections any day, deliverd six weeks before John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Onondaga SVC

UGRR Sites:
Jerry Rescue Site

Tubman, Harriet Ross
Occupation: Hero
Source(s):
[Biographical]
[Portrait] Not on Siebert's list. Harriet Tubman must be by far the most famous Conductor on the UGRR. Her home in Auburn, NY was sold to her by William H. Seward. She later bought the property next door on South Street, where the Harriet Tubman was built and still stands. Cayuga
[Home Site]

Waldo, H. N.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming

Warrant, Thomas
Occupation: Coppersmith
Source(s): M County historical marker at East Henrietta Road beside Barge Canal: Warrant Homestead. Settled in 1819 by Thomas Warrant, coppersmith and abolitionist. This home was used as a station of the Underground Monroe

Welles
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Cattaraugus

Wheaton, Charles
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Onondaga

Wheaton, Charles A.
Occupation: Merchant, Politician
Source(s): S1H Former Mayor or Syracuse Onondaga SVC

Wilkinson, John
Occupation: Lawyer
Source(s): S1H President and director of several banks, railroads and telegraph companies Onondaga SVC

Williams
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Albany

Williams
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Erie

Williams, Capt.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Monroe

Williams, Edward C.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1M Had a sail loft on Buffalo (Main) St. in Rochester that was used as a station Monroe

Wing, Asa S.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Oswego

Young, Andrew W.
Occupation:
Source(s): S1 Wyoming