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-The
Underground Railroad
S lavery had
been part of the colonies since they were first established. The crossing
of the Mason Dixon line had become a must do for runaway slaves because
if they crossed the line, they were free. That was the case until
a law was passed that said the bounties would be given out to the
capture of slaves including slaves that had already crossed the Mason
Dixon line. This meant that runaway slaves now had to cross all the
way to Canada. Because of this, some blacks even faked being members
of the Underground Railroad in order to get runaway slaves to come
to their houses so that they could turn them in to get the bounty.
There were 132 Underground Railroad agents operating in Chester County.
Some of these were run by free African Americans and others by were
run by white Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Quakers. Most
slaves knew that they would be safe staying in Chester County. Many
who didn't want to go to Canada made their homes in Philadelphia,
New York, and Boston to join the existing free black community.
To keep the movement secret, special terms were used to identify those
working on the railroad. "stations" were the houses
along the line. "Station Masters" were those who
gave shelter to fugitive slaves and fed them. "Conductors"
were those who guided the fugitives between stations. "Stockholders"
contributed finances needed to feed, clothe, and transport the fugitives.
Underground Railroad "agents" were both white and
black, male and female, slaves and former slaves, and came from a
variety of religious and economic backgrounds, although the Quakers
were among the first to offer aid.
Fugitives had
to be clever and resourceful to initiate their escape, and then navigate
their way through hostile territory to locate a line on the railroad.
Many times they would communicate using word of mouth or by singing
gospel songs with coded messages in them, such as, "Follow
the Drinking Gourd". Secret codes were also used to identify
safe refuges. One well know sign was a black statue outside a "station"
holding a lantern. If the lantern was lit, the house was safe; if
it was not, that meant slave catchers were in the area. Quilts were
often hung outside homes with encoded messages. Sometimes symbols
were drawn on fences to let other slaves know that they were safe
there.
Geographically, Chester County was an ideal sanction for fugitive
slaves. It was located just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, which divided
free, and slave states. Key routes of the Underground Railroad came
to Chester County from Delaware and Maryland. There were three major
routes along the Underground Railroad that traveled through Chester
County, one of them being through the Kennett area. While many of
Chester County's white residents were not abolitionists, the region
was home to a sizeable Quaker population, and thus had more stations
than most of the other surrounding counties. Chester County soon became
a battleground between slave hunters and abolitionists.
Among the most
noted abolitionists along the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad
were Thomas Garrett, Harriet Tubman, and William Still. Thomas Garrett,
from Wilmington Delaware, was an outspoken opponent of slavery who
operated one the most active Underground Railroad Stations on the
East Coast. He is credited with aiding more than 2,000 fugitives to
freedom. Harriet Tubman was considered to be the most famous black
conductor. Born into slavery, she escaped in 1849 and dedicated her
life to helping other slaves gain their freedom. She was considered
the "Moses" of her people. William Still, a freeborn black,
coordinated the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad. He also
interviewed every fugitive who came into his care, eventually compiling
the information into a book, which was published in 1872.
Although Kennett Square became known as one of the most active centers
for slave traffic, many people were not aware of the intense activity
that took place in this small Chester County community, because those
engaged in the movement had to guard their moves with the greatest
secrecy. This secrecy was their greatest protection because of the
presence of slave-hunters and because often one's best friend or closest
neighbor was against the anti-slavery movement. The most active "stations"
in the Kennett area were the Mendenhall home, the Coxes home, the
Fussell home, and the Walker home.
"Oakdale", located in Pennsbury Township, was the home of
Isaac and Dinah Mendenhall, a Quaker couple, who's beautiful homestead
was the first station across the Pennsylvania line. Most of the refuge
seeking slaves were sent there by Thomas Garrett of Wilmington. Women
and children were secreted in a room in the springhouse, and the men
in the barn. The Mendenhalls were much-loved members of the community
and were affectionately called "Aunt Dinah" and Uncle Isaac".
Their kindly nature created trust in the hundreds of slaves they helped
to freedom.
John and Hannah Peirce Cox were the foremost conductors in the Kennett
area. Their home was located one-half mile west of the village of
Anvil on Route 1, the main road to Philadelphia. Their home, built
in 1797, was perfectly designed for hiding slaves. Slaves were hidden
in the attic or in the basement. From the cellar, a tunnel led under
the road and came out in a well in front of the barn across Route
1, a perfect escape for the slaves.
"The Pines", of West Vincent Township, a well-known station
owned by Dr. Bartholomew and Lydia Fussell, was always open to fugitives
and their friends. Their large dwelling had a root cellar which was
used as a hiding place for slaves, with an escape route through a
shallow well entered by a door at the end the room.
James Walker, a freed Negro who lived on South Union Street in the
Borough of Kennett Square, often assisted Thomas Garrett with escaped
slaves. His small, modest home was torn down is 1989.
The Underground Railroad is a story of true courage, not only on the
part of the many agents who risked their lives and property, but also
on the part of the slaves themselves who would rather die than remain
in bondage. Although no one can accurately recount the number of slaves
that passed through the Kennett area, this small town had considerable
influence through their commitment to the cause of freedom and by
providing a climate favorable for abolitionist leaders.
Kennett
Underground Railroad Center
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