OHADAMS-L Archives

Archiver > OHADAMS > 2002-11 > 1038150449


From: "Delsey K" <>
Subject: [OHADAMS] Underground Railroad in Adams County
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 10:10:24 -0500
In-Reply-To: <MFMBM001JswFCHOzyfy000019c2@mfmbm001.myfamilycorp.local>


Good Morning Everyone,

It's sunny & chilly here in Adams County this morning, reminding me to thank
God for the wonderful furnace & the electric that powers it. It also brings
to mind the hardships that like us our forefathers were accustom to as a way
of life. At the age of 30, I have lived with out running water and an
outhouse, so I can really appreciate them now.

Anyway, thinking about the slaves of our nations early times, they had it
much harder. Did you know that the anti-slave movement was way before the
1860's? When I started helping the Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau
find information on the Underground Railroad in Adams County, this was the
first thing I learned. "The Underground Railroad was perhaps the most
dramatic protest action against slavery in United States history. It was a
clandestine operation that began during the colonial period, later became
part of organized abolitionist activity in the 19th century, and reached its
peak in the period 1830 - 1865. The story of the Underground Railroad is one
of individual sacrifice and heroism in the efforts of enslaved people to
reach freedom from bondage." - http://www.nps.gov/undergroundrr/ugsum.htm
Therefore, the really interesting item was a lot of our (Adams') first
families were connected with the anti-slavery movement. I also learned that
it wasn't until the mid 1800's that it took on the name Underground
Railroad.

Why did I contact the mailing list you ask? Very simple, we need your help.
We, are Myrna Hixson - President of ACTVB & myself, Delsey Knoechelman -
UGRR Committee Helper. Along with Dena Morris - West Union High School
History Teacher & Rev. Lisa Corum Fox - Minister at the West Union
Presbyterian Church & current author of an underground railroad book. We are
all residents of Adams County, Ohio and our goal is to create a map of
trails going through Adams County of the UGRR and educate the local
residents of our findings. At this time our short term goals are:
- Locate the names of the "conductors" and the "stations" throughout Adams
County.
- Gather local stories and anecdotal accounts, from word of mouth, local
histories, & public records. *
- Contact other established UGRR organizations.
- Continue meeting till goals are accomplished.

* This is where you come in. While researching your families have you came
across any information on the UGRR? We have gathered a lot of good starting
material for our project via the internet, other UGRR researchers, & our
local historians. This can be seen at
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohacgs/ugrr.htm (Updated information will be added
thought the upcoming year.) There you can see a list of names we have found,
who were suppose to be "directors" or helpers. Many were Presbyterians and
were so happy to have Lisa helping us.

We would like to have the map done by the time the UGRR Museum in
Cincinnati opens, I think it's in 2004. We are working with them & the
organization out of Chillicothe.
We are planning are next meeting in January for the Adams County Residents
that own property that was used for the help of relocating & hiding runaway
slaves.

If anyone has any questions or comments on this subject please contact me
directly at ""

Thank you,
Delsey Knoechelman

PS - If we get a large interest group on this subject, I will apply for an
OH-UGRR Mailing list.


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