Timeline
Eight Freedom Seekers
Frances Aylor and Chasteen Scott, slaveholders, lose a total of eight freedom seekers. From Mrs. Aylor, one man, about 50 yrs old, two women, ages 29 and 19, one girl, 11 yrs old, and three boys, ages 10,5, and 1 yr old. Mr. Scott lost one male, age 20 yrs. The paper reported that a “white boy” hid them in his wagon and took them to Cincinnati, where they disappeared. The slaveholders petitioned the Senate for indemnity for the loss of the slaves. They stated that they were taken in a house in Cincinnati by a woman, and not seen..Read More
KENTON: Cornelius Thornton caught.
Freedom seeker named Cornelius Thornton b. ca 1825, was caught and detained in St. Louis, MO, on 8 July 1850. Advertisement names slave holder Richard Southgate, of Cincinnati. Southgate had several free people of color living with him in 1840, but came from a Kentucky slaveholding family, to whom he could have leased or given Cornelius before his escape. Western union., Hannibal, Mo; November 21, 1850. accessed 7 Feb 2017
Moses Escape
Cited at November meeting of Middle Creek Baptist Church by William Huey. He (Moses) “eloped from this part of the country a short time since.” He also cited him for “wanting to fight.” Huey may have been his slave holder. Belleview Baptist Church: Church Records, 1803-1914. Book Two: July 9, 1829 – August 1872; Boone County Library, Burlington, KY.
Nine Freedom Seekers
Joshua Zimmerman’s 9 enslaved people reported as “fugitives” after being allowed to visit Billy (and others), formerly enslaved to Zimmerman, in Clermont County. The enslaved group did not return to Boone County. Probably and emancipation, but reported otherwise. Southern Press, Washington City, 18 January 1851
MASON: Woman and children self-emancipate.
A woman and her three children self-emancipated from slave holder F.M. Weedon, of Mason Co., on Sunday, May 4, 1851. Weedon’s 1850 slave schedule shows a young woman and three small children, and three older adults. In 1860, the numbers are reduced to show the loss. Louisville Daily Courier, May 5, 1851. Accessed April 11, 2017
Henry Foster Escape
Henry Foster, from Boone County, arrived in Canada “on the railroad”. The Liberator, Boston, Mass; 14 Nov 1851
CAMPBELL: Winter escape.
December, several escape across frozen river “above Newport”; The Daily American; Washington D. C.; 30 Dec, 1851, p 1 col 5
Five Freedom Seekers
Five enslaved people escaped through Rising Sun. They were hidden by Nancy Hawkins, a former slaveholder who became a part of the UGRR network. The slaveholder was James Stephens. The freedom seekers consisted of three men and two women. Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, NY; 24 May 1887
MASON: Father helps children escape.
Free man assists his 5 enslaved children to freedom. Letter to the editor, Anti-Slavery Bugle, Lisbon, OH; 3 April, 1852.
Fourteen Freedom Seekers
“On the night of the 18th inst. fourteen slaves ran away from Burlington, Ky. They belonged to the following individuals: Ten to Ephraim Porter, two to J. G. Hamilton, one to Dr. J. F. Grubbs, and one to C. L. Stanford.” Louisville Courier Journal, September 25, 1852.
MASON: Eight slaves escape.
Five men, a woman and two children, belonging to “sundry citizens of Mason County” made their escape. It is assumed that they went together and were assisted. The Maysville Eagle calls for an “association of slave holders” for the protection of their property. The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wheeling Wv., Sep 23, 1852
OWEN: Miles and Julia escape.
On Oct 2, 1852, Miles and Julia, from Louisville, had a pass to Owenton (family visit?) and did not return. It is unclear if they headed to Owenton on their way to freedom. Slaveholder was James Lynn. The Louisville Daily Courier; Louisville, Ky; 4 Oct 1852
BRACKEN/MASON: 31 slaves escape.
Thirty-one enslaved people from Augusta (Bracken) and Dover, KY (Mason) escaped into Ripley. Clothing found, one homeowner refused a search warrant. Three were captured, local authorities and residents did not cooperate. www.nkyviews.com; Gallipolis Journal, Gallipolis, Ohio; October 14, 1852
KENTON: Charles Warfield detained.
Charles Warfield, 30 yrs, detained in the Covington Jail on suspicion of being a runaway. Held no papers but claimed to be freeman from Pennsylvania, Fayette County. 1850 census shows John Warfield, b 1820, mulatto, free, Fayette, PA. Frankfort Commonwealth, Frankfort, Ky; 21 Oct 1852
Mass Escape
Jonas Crisler wrote to his family- “there has been at least 30 ran of this faul (sic) 14 at and abut Burlington and the rest about Petersburg Abraham Piatts Thomas Graves and Wm Whittaker all the most valuable I have no doubt if things continue negroes slaves (sic) will be scarce neare the O. River particularly if old Mat Bots and his clan continues thare privilege thay have had I believe thay have been thare pilots and is yet.” Crisler was referring to the other escape of 14 enslaved the week before. Crisler Family Papers; Library Special Collections and Archives,..Read More
Woman and Children’s Escape
Woman and 8 children, ran from Boone County, KY possible Foster slaves. 11 April, 1853; Kentucky Gazette,Lexington, KY; Boone County Tax lists (shows loss for Foster family)
The Cincinnati 28
The Cincinnati “28” escaped from families in Boone County and stayed in the College Hill area of Cincinnati on their way to Windsor, Canada.
CAMPBELL: Enslaved man escapes.
One enslaved man escaped from Alexandria, was seen crossing “near Jamestown” (Dayton, KY); swam across the river. Louisville Daily Courier, 14 April, 1853
David Absconded
David, bondsman of William Gaines, “absconded and left this church without any dismission as is usual.” Part of Cincinnati 28? Minutes of the Proceedings of the Sand Run Church. Microfilm. Boone County Public Library, Burlington, KY.
MASON: Reward Ad for Emily.
$100 reward Ad for Emily, ran away 27 July, 1853, from “near Lewisburg” Mason County. Slaveholder name- Thomas H. Williams. www.nkyviews.com
CAMPBELL: Ten escape to Canada.
10th of June, ten slaves belonging to Robert C. Todd, Col. James Taylor, R. Slaughter, Mrs. Mary Winston and Dr. Parker, all of Newport, made their escape and arrived in Canada. The Liberator, Boston, Massachusetts; Aug 19, 1853
CARROLL: Harrison arrested.
Franklin Dufour of Switzerland County, IN arrested a fugitive slave named Harrison; slaveholder near Carrollton. Weekly Reveille, Vol 1, No 10; Vevay, Switzerland County, Ind. 25 Aug 1853.
Arrest of Dr. Thomas Trundle
Dr. Thomas Trundle is arrested at his home near Big Bone, Kentucky for the “enticement of slaves” to runaway.
MASON: 5 slaves escape.
September: a few miles below Maysville, 5 enslaved escape; 3 are “very fair and delicate mulatto girls”; went through Ripley to freedom; The Liberator, Boston, MA; Sep 30, 1853, p 3
BRACKEN: Escape and imprisonment.
Sept, 1852; one enslaved person, slaveholder Blackstone H. Rankins; assisted by FPOC Dr. Perkins. Perkins, 70, sentenced to penitentiary for 3 yrs. Louisville Daily Courier, Louisville, KY; Nov 22, 1853
BRACKEN: Slave escape.
One enslaved man (unnamed), slaveholder Walter Linn. Freedom seeker was assisted by FPOC Henry and Isaac Rumsey- arrested, acquitted. Also involved two white men, Cripps (teacher) and James Cooper. Cripps bailed out of jail, Cooper didn’t. Louisville Daily Courier, Louisville, KY; Nov 22, 1853, p 2
KENTON: Five slaves escape.
5 enslaved people escaped Covington. Slaveholder was B. W. Foley. Covington Journal, Covington, Ky; 10 Dec 1853 p 2 col 5
TRIMBLE: Alfred escapes while leased.
In 1854, Alfred, enslaved to John and Mary Preston, ran away from another slaveholder to whom he was leased. Mary Preston was a friend of Delia Webster, and may have had anti-slavery leanings.
KENTON: 13 escape from Covington.
FREIGHT ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. – Since our last report we have received at this depot 21 persons, all within the last ten days. First can two men from Missouri then thirteen from Covington, Kentucky, five of whom escaped from the Mayor of that city; then came four from Kentucky; then two more up to this date. The Christmas holidays will bring us another fine lot. Frederick Douglass’ Paper, Jan 27, 1854
Six Freedom Seekers Caught
Shadrach, Lewis, Susan, Wesley, John, Almeda, Jasper, Anderson and Lee; Freedom seekers from the Crisler, Walton, Scott and Blankenbeker farms are caught- much legal attention paid to them, like Garner, though focus was habeas corpus. 7 June 1854 Covington Journal, Covington, KY
PENDLETON: 21 escape to Canada.
Twenty-one enslaved people from the vicinity of Falmouth, Ky, made their escape to Canada. Assistance attributed to Wm. N. Warren of Lockport, Erie, PA. Alton Weekly Telegraph, Alton, Ill, 15 June 1854 p 2
KENTON: Six slaves escape to Ohio.
6 enslaved people, slaveholder Beall, escaped Covington by crossing into Newport first, then to Ohio. Described “two negro women, one mulatto girl, one negro man, and two black boys” The Liberator. Boston, Ma; 4 Aug 1854; p 3 – Liberator cites Cincinnati Gazette
CARROLL: Two slaves attempt escape.
Free person of color was seen near the mouth of the KY river. He was attempting to assist two freedom seekers in Carrollton, but they were recaptured. The conductor escaped. Louisville Daily Courier, Louisville, Ky; 24 Aug 1854
KENTON: Jane Wayne and children escape.
Jane Wayne, b. at Flemingsburg, ca 1815-1822, first slaveholder was John Hester. Sold at 12 yrs old to Tom Porter (also Flemingsburg). Porter moved to Covington, KY, and took “all nine of us” with him. Worried about being separated from her 3 children, Jane and kids, assisted by Bob Russell (UGRR) and 2 others, left on a Sunday in November. Settled in Amherstburg, Essex, Ontario, eldest daughter married Henry H Young. Wilbur H Siebert Collection, Ohio, Hamilton County file, Ohio History Connection.
