Embedded Files
The Underground Railroad—the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. At first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas and eventually across state and international borders. These acts of self-emancipation labeled slaves as "fugitives," "escapees," or "runaways," but in retrospect "freedom seeker" is a more accurate description. Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape.
The Underground Railroad—the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. At first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas and eventually across state and international borders. These acts of self-emancipation labeled slaves as "fugitives," "escapees," or "runaways," but in retrospect "freedom seeker" is a more accurate description. Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape.
The decision to assist a freedom seeker may have been spontaneous. However, in some places, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad was deliberate and organized. Despite the illegality of their actions, people of all races, class and genders participated in this widespread form of civil disobedience. Freedom seekers went in many directions – Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian territory, the West, Caribbean islands and Europe.
The decision to assist a freedom seeker may have been spontaneous. However, in some places, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad was deliberate and organized. Despite the illegality of their actions, people of all races, class and genders participated in this widespread form of civil disobedience. Freedom seekers went in many directions – Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian territory, the West, Caribbean islands and Europe.
Intro to the Chapter about Underground Railroad - History of Hamilton County, Indiana - Thomas Helms 1880
Intro to the Chapter about Underground Railroad - History of Hamilton County, Indiana - Thomas Helms 1880
AMONG the principal workers in the ' underground railroad ' movement were the Baker family, Asa Bales, Dr. Hiatt, James L. Hiatt, Jacob L. Pfaff, of Westfield; James M. Thompson, now living in Adams Township; O. C. Lindley, of Adams Township (Michael K: technically wrong, Lindley farm is in Washington Township, but O.C. Lindley lived in Adams Township in 1880); J. Roberts, of Washington Township
AMONG the principal workers in the ' underground railroad ' movement were the Baker family, Asa Bales, Dr. Hiatt, James L. Hiatt, Jacob L. Pfaff, of Westfield; James M. Thompson, now living in Adams Township; O. C. Lindley, of Adams Township (Michael K: technically wrong, Lindley farm is in Washington Township, but O.C. Lindley lived in Adams Township in 1880); J. Roberts, of Washington Township
Michael Kobrowski, Curator:
Michael Kobrowski, Curator:
The Underground Railroad has fascinated me since I heard about it when first becoming a visitor to Westfield Washington Historical Society meetings. The theory has always been that Westfield was founded deliberately by Quakers from North Carolina, and others, to have an additional stop on the Underground Railroad going north from Central Indiana. My research (off and on) over the last 20+ years has confirmed that. Especially the arch of Asa Bales makes it hard to come to a different conclusion. As the son of a Holocaust survivor this involvement in people helping people trying to escape from tyranny and death is important to me.
The information presented here, represents the attempt to fairly and consistently portray some of the information about the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist movement in Westfield, IN, Washington Township and related events that are especially relevant.
Like with all history research, mistakes can happen. New information can appear at anytime to alter what we knew before. In some places I priorities information given by eyewitnesses of events (like Asa Bales letters to Abolitionists papers from 1844) than books written 40 or 60 or 140 years later - this is not intended to be mean or deingrate what others wrote - we are just all trying to represent the best we can what happened. It is much easier NOW to research old newspapers than it was in the 1980s!)
If you have any comments or corrections or additions, please don't hesitate to email us, with links to sources, to mkobrowski@wwhs.us
History of Hamilton County, Indiana by Thomas Helms
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