Ohio’s Role in the Underground Railroad

By: Shannon Meyers, Colin Fugger, Calvin Vordem Esche, Abby Baker, and Carly Kutschbach

Background on Underground Railroad

Network of conductors, people who help runaway slaves escape to freedom. Went from the South to CanadaAbout 100,000 slaves left the south between 1810 and 1850Conductors used vases of roses to show how many slaves were staying on the property, one rose per slaveConductors along the rivers often used lanterns to signal if the river was safe to crossThe Fugitive Slave Act stated that people had to help return runaway slaves, therefore, the Underground Railroad was illegal.

Underground Railroad in Ohio

Ohio was a northern, antislavery state It’s estimated more that 40,000 slaves traveled through Ohio to Canada in the Underground RailroadIn Ohio, it started from the Ohio River and went through Chillicothe, Circleville, Columbus, Worthington, and Westerville, to Lake Erie and Canada

Otterbein UniversityBefore the Civil War in 1861, the President of Otterbein University, Lewis Davis, was involved in the Underground Railroad efforts. By the time Otterbein was an official university, Westerville was well known as an antislavery town with many Underground Railroad stops.

Hanby House160 W Main St. Westerville, OhioOwned by William Hanby, who helped many runaway slaves on their journey to freedom by sheltering and transporting themOperated a saddle and harness shop behind his house, where it is believed that he sheltered slaves.Slaves were lucky if they stayed with the Hanby’s. They ate dinner with the runaways every night, concealed them in false bottom carriages and treated them as equal human beings, not lesser people.The Hanby’s were so good at protecting the runaways that none were ever caught.

Sharp Family 825 Africa Road Westerville, OhioGarritt Sharp was another famous abolitionist in Westerville who assisted Hanby, Davis, and Stoner.Helped more runaways North toward what is now known as Africa Road, getting its name by how many runaways stayed along the roadRunaway slaves stayed in cabins on the Sharp’s propertyThe Sharp’s donated the land Otterbein is on today

John RankinPresbitarian minister and conductor on the Underground Railroad in OhioLived in Riley, Ohio, a town on the Ohio RiverHelped signal to runaways when it was safe to cross the riverGave shelter and food to over 2,000 runaway slaves

Kelton Family586 East Town St. Columbus, OhioFernando and Sophia Kelton believed slavery was wrongHad a 300-gallon cistern in their yard, where it is believed runaways hidThe Kelton’s helped 2 female slaves, one of which was too ill to go on; they kept her and cared for her, and educated her. She later married a free black carpenter who worked for Mr. Kelton

Oberlin Rescue CaseOn September 13, 1858, a federal marshal arrested a runaway slave named John Price.The Fugitive Slave Act stated that the federal government had to help slave holders in getting back slavesThe marshal took Price to WellingtonOberlin abolitionist were so upset they went to Wellington to free Price. They got him, and hid him, then helped him to Canada. Soon after, he diedThe marshal was arrested, along with a few guilty people; many were let go.2 men filed Habeas Corpus but lost This angered many people