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 portrais 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 (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
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 attheir 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
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
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 '23. 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 pacfist, 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
Albany
Mott, Lydia
Occupation:
Source(s): S1
Albany
Myers, Stephen
Occupation:
Source(s): S1
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
Firest 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 sihned 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. Merril 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 intereste 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
Couty 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

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