In response to the "theft" of Judy Green, a slave, by the Willards led to a notice in the local Jacksonville newspaper about forming an “Anti-Negro Steeling Society” A meeting was held on February 22, 1843 at the second courthouse once located on the square. Also a short lived party called the "Repeal Party" was created to stop the repealed of the Missouri Compromise by the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Elihu Wolcott, Merchant 1784-1858 Elihu Wolcott was a man who became deeply involved with the UGRR movement in Jacksonville. He earned the reputation as the “leader of the UGRR” after attended the 1837 Illinois Anti-Slavery convention in Alton. Involved in local politics, Wolcott was a member of the short lived Liberty Party, an abolition group in which he lost the 1846 7th Congressional District race to Abraham Lincoln. It was Benjamin Henderson who gives him great praise in his leadership, however Henderson never mentioned his personal relationship, nor how they've worked together on the UGRR.
By 1835 a framed church was located on the east side of the square, with William Carter as their pastor. Soon these brave and fearless men and women took a stand against slavery and their church became known as the abolition church. They established their anti-slavery beliefs shortly after the establishment of their church. These church members became the main force of Jacksonville's Abolition Movement.
Some where on Morgan street, between West & Church St. stood the former home of the Dr. Marco McLean Reed was a spy and helped runaways slaves. He received his M.D. from Middlebury College as well as attended lectures held at Yale College. Born October 18, 1801 in East Windsor, Connecticut. He married Elizabeth Lamthropred in 1830 and moved to Jacksonville.
This was the former house site of abolitionists and Underground Railroad stop for runaway slaves. Thomas Melendy and his wife Clara Smith came to Jacksonville in 1834. The couple, along with their three daughters, joined the Congregation Church. Later he was part of the Jacksonville representatives at the 1837 Illinois Anti-Slavery Convention at Alton. The 1872 Morgan County Plat Book mentioned that he was a retired mechanic who lived at the corner of Jordan & Prairie St, in Jacksonville. Prior to that he lived at the corner of West State and West Streets, west half of lot 76. Melendy during his time as a station keeper worked with Ebenezer Carter, Benjamin Henderson, David B. Ayers, Dr. Marco Reed, and Samuel Willard. Besides a station on the UGRR, Thomas Melendy was known to help out with the financial cost of putting up bonds for slaves suing for their freedom in courts.
Joseph Olmsted King, was a humanitarian and operator of a UGRR station. King and his wife Sarah Lamb Dwight came to Jacksonville in 1830. Throughout the years the couple had four children, two sons and two daughters, all of them born in Jacksonville. (Joseph Olmsted King, http://www.findagrave.com) King had several servants working for the family from 1850 through the 1870s. The servants were a mix of ethnic backgrounds, none were former slaves. The family lived in a brick home across the street from the Jacksonville Female Academy on lots 64 and 65, the house no longer stands.
A former slave who became an abolitionist and transported many runaway slaves to Springfield, Illinois from 1841 to bout 1856.
David Spencer was a Black child growing up on a white man’s farm in Morgan County. Spencer became an abolition, teamster, and a Civil War soldier. Prior to joining the army, he became part of the UGRR and helped Benjamin Henderson transport runaways to stations.
Africa also known as little Africa is an area in Jacksonville, IL during the 1800s where the African American population primarily lived. It was a small community that is on W. Beecher Avenue ( Was College St then), Anna St. and S. Church St. The population of the residents in Africa was low but later grew to 156 residents in 1860. Many were former slaves and aided freedom seekers headed north.
William Kirby, Congregational Minster 1805-1851, Benjamin Henderson a worker on the underground railroad came to Rev. Kirby for assistance in providing food, housing, and transporting runaways. Edward Kirby, son of William would later recall in a May 11, 1896 letter to Wilbur Siebert some of his memories. Edwards talked about when he was a boy, occasionally fugitives would stay overnight or longer in his father's home, even when Rev. Kirby was not home. “Though of course this was usually, if not always, in my father's absence”.
Henry Irving, Carpenter 1816-1888 Irving was a part of the UGRR from 1843 until 1865 and was always ready to go on the road or help with the fugitive parties. Several time he helped Henderson transport runaways as a conductor. One time he kept a man for a week because the slave catchers were watching the roads. Finally he managed to move the man onto the next station without being caught. He and William Strawn once took a highly valuable runaway who was a steward on a steamboat by horseback to Pleasant Plains. When Irving and Strawn returned to Jacksonville with an extra horse, they run in to Judge Lockwood, who they thought knew about their trip, but the judge did not say a word. Whenever Irving had to make a trip with runaways, he is usually going to the station in Farmington [Farmingdale].
Asa Talcott is believed to have been born towards the beginning of the 19th century around Glastonbury, Connecticut. After a short period of time living in Jacksonville, Asa and his wife Maria moved to Sciota, Oregon in 1869 which is where Asa passed away on September 13, 1880. In early May of 1833, Asa and Maria moved to Jacksonville, Illinois and during the 36 years of but located in Jacksonville they accomplished many things.
The Bethel AME Church is located in downtown Jacksonville, IL. Predominately a Black church but the Bethel AME Church is a welcoming to all church. Known for the history back in the 1900s, the Bethel AME Church is visited by tourists that stroll through Jacksonville, IL.
The Gillett House is named in honor of one of its first owners, Dr. Bezaleel Gillett, and dates back to the 1830s when Gillet acquired the property from its previous owners. Gillett was an abolitionist as well as a physician and leading local merchant in Jacksonville's early years. Gillett was also one of the founders of Trinity Church, Jacksonsville's first Episcopal Church in 1832 and one of the original trustee of the Jacksonville Female Academy founded in 1830. The house dates back to the is now owned by Illinois College.
This Memorial was created in honor of Elijah Lovejoy who fought for the abolition of slavery and was a close friend to the first president of Illinois College, Edward Beecher. It was erected because of the students of Illinois College who honored his death by holding a protest to create wide-spread sentiment against slavery.
Near this road was the location of Dr. Pierson's home. During his time with the Jacksonville UGRR, he lived at the former Turman Place's home located about a mile west of town, later it became Fair View, Dr. J. Pitner's home. Being a member of the Presbyterian church, he had ties to the Congressional Church members as a fellow abolitionist.
The father and son team of Ebenezer and William “Chauncey” Carter worked well together helping runaways with Benjamin Henderson. Ebenezer Carter was very faithful in the anti-slavery movement. His farm was used as a station by the local abolitionists, became a founding member of the Congregational Church in 1833, and was part of the Jacksonville representatives of the 1837 convention of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society in Alton. Ebenezer came to Jacksonville in 1830 at the age of 33 with his wife Eliza and three children.
Ebenezer Carter, Farmer 1797-1860 Carter has many stories about his work with the UGRR. His farm became the popular station on the UGRR receiving runaways from Jerseyville and elsewhere. Figure 23. Undated photo of William Chauncey Carter. From his farm the fugitives moved to other stations within Jacksonville or transported by Benjamin Henderson to Farmington or Springfield. One of the more well-known stories took place in February of 1843 when his son, William Chauncey had to cover for his father while he was transporting a runaway girl. A band of Southern sympathizers was looking for this slave girl and they thought she ran to Carter's farm. Chauncey was home and was questioned by the group. They asked where Ebenezer was and if the runaway girl was hiding at the farm. With a warrant in hand they search the house found nothing and cursed out Chauncey as they left. Chauncey had another brush with a slave masters when he went to St. Louis to testify on the behalf of a young slave because his father Ebenezer was unable to make it. Chauncey met a man with a shotgun and was told to go back home, which he did. (Eames, 141) Another story took place on a cold February night in 1844. Chauncey Carter rode his horse on the old railroad track [Northern Cross Railroad] one and half miles east of Jacksonville. With him was a runaway from St. Louis . The slave hunters were after him for a week in Jacksonville, but could not find him. This man's master wanted to sell him for $750.00 when he ran away. An additional story was when Ebenezer Carter in 1853 helped a large party of runaways while the "Southerns" were looking for them. The fugitives were brought to Carter's barn. The band was made up of men, women, children and a baby. In the end the group of fugitives made it out of Jacksonville. Ebenezer Carter passed on to his son William Chauncey what it means to be an abolitionists. The father and son team both made sacrifices for others to have lives of their own, as free people.
William Codington Verry, Farmer 1795-1877 A neighbor to Ebenezer Carter, and fellow abolitionist was William Verry. Verry was an Abolitionist before the Congregational Church was form in 1833 in fact he was part of the 1823 anti-slavery group, the Morganian Society in Morgan County. He and his wife Lydia Massy came to Morgan County sometime before 1823. The family had four children all born in Morgan County. The 1839 Tax Roll of Morgan County listed his farm as 80 acres (T15N-R10W, sec. 32), which was their home until his death in 1877. It was said that Mrs. W.C. Verry was always ready to help out with the UGRR. His barn was a common hiding place for runaways.
Although his farm is long gone, East of the Hazel Green Cemetery was John Laurie's farm that was a well-known stop to hide runaways. He came to America sometime around 1830. Before he came to America from Scotland, he worked as a clerk at a stone quarry for 20 years. John, his wife, and three children sailed to New York where he left them behind for Illinois. He arrived in Jacksonville in 1839 via Mississippi River. Once established, his wife Jemima Kirk, and children arrived from the east.
Woodlawn Farm is a historic site east of Jacksonville that roomer to be a part of the Underground Railroad. It was established by Michael Huffaker in 1824. Today, it is a museum for the public to come and visit. It is only open for tours during certain seasons or special occasions throughout the year.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This is a tour of over 20 locations that was part of the Underground Railroad that went through Jacksonville. Most of the homes and locations are gone, but the rich history has been researched and preserved. Enjoy and learn about Jacksonville's involvement in the Freedom Trail.
