Classroom

There were four Black&nbsp;churches during the 1900s. One including the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. George T. Shaw was a pastor at the Bethel AME Church which at the time had a total of 245 people. The real estate value of the church was about $20,000,00. There is a seating capacity of about 400 people with the choir comfortably seating 35 people. The interior of the church is beautiful as it is a color of rich clack walnut. On the outside of the Bethel AME Church is red brick with colored glass windows. Inside of the church there are two main departments which include: Trustee department and the Stewards &amp; Stewardess department.&nbsp; During the 1900s racism was a problem. An event took place on February 2nd 1915 at the Bethel AME Church. A group of Black and white church members and pastors came together at the Bethel AME Church. The people spent the day listening to Mrs. Catherine M. Johnson who was the leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The talk went on to proceed to seek "better understanding between the races and to combat discrimination."&nbsp;

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, IL.

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.   

Bethel AME Church 

Instructor

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.

The death of Lovejoy did not
deterred the local underground railroad in Jacksonville from continuing to help the runaways to
freedom, if anything it gave the abolitionists a just cause. The next six years
the underground railroad in Jacksonville helped enough fugitives to irritate the pro-slavery
supporters. By 1843 the last straw came from the theft of a local slave girl during
her and her master’s visit to Jacksonville. Instead of an all-out mob action,
like the one that killed Lovejoy, a more civilized group of Jacksonville
pro-slavery supporters took to a more level headed approached to their
“abolition problem”. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Samuel Willard, a student from
Illinois College, and his father Julius Willard,&nbsp; along with fellow students, William Carter,
J.A. Coleman who were also sons of known local abolitionist,&nbsp; convinced Judy Green a young Black slave
woman, that she was free. Her owner Sarah Lisle claimed that she was abducted
on February 9, 1843. Green fled when she learned that they were going to return
to Louisiana. Green at first was hidden at Ebenezer Carter's farm, two mile
south of town. This turn out to be unsuccessful because Green was recaptured
and the Willard's arrested for harboring a fugitive slave under the 1827
Illinois Law. &nbsp;

The law said:

“If any person shall harbor or secrete any negro, mulatto, or person
of color, the same being a slave or servant owing service or labor to any other
person or persons, ...or shall in any wise hinder or prevent the lawful owner
or owners of such slaves or servants from retaking or possessing, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or
imprisoned not exceeding six months.” Julius Willard was
convicted of harboring a fugitive slave and fined $20.00. He tried to appeal
his case to the state supreme court in which he lost. It turns out some of the
judges on the Illinois Supreme Court were Conventionists supporters

In
1843 Samuel pleaded guilty and fine $1.00. A full account of Samuel
Willard's story is in Mark E.
Steiner's journal article. This abduction led to a notice
in the local Jacksonville newspaper about forming an “Anti-Negro Steeling Society”
in response to the theft of Judy Green by the Willards. A meeting was held on
February 22, 1843 at the courthouse. Self-appointed leaders of the meeting
included M. McCormick, chairperson and George Henry, secretary. W. B. Warren,
A. Smith, and O. M. Long were appointed to write a draft of the preamble and
resolutions expressing their feelings of the meetings and after much discussion
adopted the resolutions. The society created three resolutions. First to make
it clear that this was not about slavery vs. anti-slavery, nor abolition or
anti-abolition, but breaking the law, but a belief that slavery is a curse upon
the nation that is recognized and protected by law. Second, steeling slaves is
not the honest way to give them their freedom. And the people of Jacksonville
including the local abolitionists should show hospitably toward visitors from
the South. The last resolution was about the students from Illinois College who
took the women, has not been dealt with nor punished by the college. These proceedings
were held at the courthouse at 10:00 a. m. also signed by 36 local Jacksonville
citizens and published in the local paper.&nbsp;

<div>

“Anti Negro Steeling
Society”

Listed
as they appear, Jacksonville,
Ill February 22, 1843

</div>W. Miller

Wm. French

I.R. Simms

E.T. Miller

Wm. Branson

S. Hunt

W.S. Gilliam

Alfred Todd

Johnathan Neely

John A. Freeman

W.B. Warren

B. F. Heslep

E.S. Litton

John Holland

A.C. Dickson

M. McCormick

&nbsp;Wm. C. Scott

Thos. Heslep

R. H. Nelson

C. H. Simms

James Hurst

John McDonald

J. E. Denny

Clingan Scott

S. Dunlap

D. Robb

G.A. Dunlap

J.J. Cassell

J. McKinneyIn 1854 the Missouri Compromise
which was passed in 1820 to balance out free and slave states was repealed by
the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This act was to allow the settlers who
live in Kansas and Nebraska states to decide if they want free or slave states.
The abolitionist in Jacksonville sparked several boisterous meetings to discuss
the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The first meeting was called for the ones who wanted
to stop the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. This group of concerned citizens
called for a town meeting to showed their support by singing a petition. With
over one hundred signatures, the meeting was published in the local newspaper
and also by handbills that was posted all over Jacksonville. This assembly was
held at the courthouse and became a hotly debated issue. This group that meet
made Dr. N. English the chairman and J.W. Galbraith the secretary. Dr. Dave
Prince started to present a set of resolution, and as he was about to give a
speech, Murray McConnel and his son John McConnel interrupted Prince and both
read their version of resolutions. The McConnel’s resolutions, who represents
the “repeal party” were in favor of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
however Dr. Prince’s resolution were against the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The crowd
in the courthouse became confused with the two difference resolutions and
thought the “repeal party” came there to break up the meeting. But in order to
clear the miss understanding, Dr. English made a ruling that this meeting is open
for all and to recognize both sides of the issue, that ruling made thing more
confusing for the group so the “repeal party” wanted to hold another meeting
the next night. The Kansas-Nebraska Act debate split Jacksonville in half,
between “anti-repeal” and “repel” and the two sides decided to hold their own
separate meetings. 

The next
evening, the “repeal party”&nbsp; held their
own meeting. No location was given, but the crowd was heavy. Dr. Cassell was
chairmen, and Cyrus Epler secretary. John McConnel restated his resolutions, a
copy of McConnel’s resolution is lost to time. On the other side of the
argument the “anti-repeal” party made Dr. Russel the chairperson and Joseph O.
King secretary. Others involved with the “anti-repeal” was Dr. Adams, John Mathers,
Isaac Rawlings,&nbsp; Johnathan Turner, Julian
M. Sturtevant, and others. The first order of business was to passed Dr.
Prince’s resolutions: 

“That it is
inexpedient to repeal directly or otherwise, the act admitting Missouri, known
as Missouri Compromise, which section reads as following: sec.8 Be it further
enacted, that in all that territory ceded by French to the United States, under
the name of Louisiana, which is north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes
north latitude, not included in the limits of the states contemplated in this
act, slavery and involuntary servitude otherwise than as the punishment of
crime, shall be and is hereby forever prohibited. The second resolution: That
as good citizens we wish to abide by the second clause of the second section of
the fourth Article of the Constitution which says: Congress shall have
power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the
territory or other property belonging to the United States.” (Eames, 149)

&nbsp;Unfortunately this was the only meeting
that was held, a local document search did not present any other information. 

The result to this debate over Kansas and Nebraska created the
Anti-Nebraska Party formed in 1854 to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This
became a movement all over the United States with support from the Whigs, Free
Soil and some Democrat parties.&nbsp; Morgan
and Scott County ran two candidate for this short lived party. The local
newspaper The Morgan Journal printed a short story in the&nbsp; November 4, 1854 Extra edition. 

“ To The
People, Anti-Nebraska voter of Scott and Morgan, beware of the imposition! The
anti-Nebraska party of Morgan has but one candidate for Morgan--- Dr. H. K.
Jones, of Jacksonville, nominated in a county Mass Meeting, which also adopted
Mr. Miner, of Scott, and the anti-Nebraska party has but one Ticket---Miner and
Jones”.

&nbsp;The story mentioned that Judge William
Thomas did not receive the nomination of the anti-Nebraska party. The article
ends with “Let every friend of our cause exert himself to have this matter
understood”.

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.

“Anti-Negro Steeling Society”  Meeting at the Second Courthouse, and the Repeal Party Central Park

Wolcott was born in South
Windsor, Connecticut and married his first wife Rachel McClure, who passed away
when Elihu was 22 years old. In 1830 Elihu came to Jacksonville at the age of
46 with his second wife, Juliana, five teenage children, and son-in-law William
Kirby and wife Hannah. When the family
arrived, he built a two room log home at the southeast corner of the town
square. After living in Jacksonville for 2 years, Juliana was overcome by her
lingering consumption and died in 1832. After the death of his wife, Elihu
helped to established the Congregational Church in 1833 and the first service
was held in his home. This “Connecticut” style church upheld the idea of
becoming a liberal, free, and independent church.&nbsp; During the time
he was involved in the UGRR, he was a merchant and a trustee of the
Jacksonville Female Academy. Sarah Crocker became his third wife in 1835, after
nine years she too passed away. (He like so many others speculated in county
land, with 520 acres of&nbsp; land listed on
the 1839 Tax Roll. By 1850 Elihu was 66 years old and living alone. Eight years later the abolition
movement lost its local leader at the age of 74. Unfortunately a local record
search did not turn up any interviews nor first hand stories of his work, but
he is highly praised for his work as the bond that kept the UGRR running in
Jacksonville.

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. 

Underground Railroad, Elihu Wolcott house site

The church body attended one of the
first Convention of the Congregational Churches of Illinois, in November
of 1834. This convention became the most important meeting to the
abolitionist's cause in Jacksonville for it established a justification towards
their UGRR work. The resolution was written by local Jacksonville members Elihu Wolcott,
William Kirby, and Ebenezer Carter. 

“During all that long conflict, from
about 1836 to 1865, this church carried the stigma of being the anti-slavery
church in a community in which, in those times, the majority was overwhelmingly
on the other side [pro-slavery] and where, for that reason, anti-slavery was
intensely unpopular. For thirty years of the fifty of its history this church,
small as it was in numbers and wealth, bore the burden of this unpopularity. I
could give facts on this subject which would be instantly recognized as true by
older people, but which would be regarded by the younger portion of my audience
as quite incredible”.
(Illinois Society of Church History, 38)Later the old church building as well as other buildings on the town square saw anti-slavery meetings. The abolitionists of Jacksonville
held several anti-slavery meeting in 1853.&nbsp;
These &nbsp;&nbsp; meetings all seem to have
the same purpose, to help the fugitive slave to freedom, spread the
abolitionist's cause and to support elected officials who opposed the spread of
slavery in the United States. Each meeting had almost the same abolitionists
attending, however each account of these meetings are slightly different from
each other. It’s possible that all three are the same society, told from a
different view point. The first account, according to Joseph O. King, was a
small unnamed group that included himself, Elihu Wolcott, who presided over the
meetings, Johnathan Turner, Tim Chamberlain, Henry Irving, Benjamin Henderson,
and Anderson Foreman. The group tried to raise money at first, but with a small
group it became hard to collect funds and members gave only what they could.
One of the ways this group spread the anti-slavery cause was to purchased and
distributed abolition literature, nevertheless the printed material did not
caused the action they wanted. So Wolcott, Mathers, and King purchased 500
copies of “Uncle Tom's Cabin”, and distributed them with the help of
several Methodist pastors. However, Richard Anderson remembers this club a
little different. The club was a “Republican Club” held in Jacksonville in
1853. This group only had seven members, Elihu Wolcott, Joseph O. King,
Anderson Foreman, John Mathers, William Harrison, Charles Chappel, and James
Johnson. Perhaps Jonathan Turner, Mr. Chamberlain, Henry Irving and Benjamin
Henderson might have come to one of the public addresses sponsored by the
Republican Club. One of the first public address was a speech that came from
the future Illinois Governor Richard Yates, a Jacksonville&nbsp; of “Republicans”
meet at different stores located on the square at Jacksonville. At first the
club met at Joseph O. King’s store on the North Side of the square. Another
place was the Old Tavern Hall (Union Hall), formally the Congregational church,
owned by John Mathers, located on the East side of the village square.&nbsp; At these meetings the men would discuss ways
to stop the spread of slavery by making it a political issue and support the
growing Republican Party. It was difficult for the club to act because it never
formally meet or organized in any way. (Eames, 135-138) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.

The "Abolition Church" Congregational Church in Jacksonville

When he first came to Illinois, he was going to practice in St. Louis, but when he found out that Missouri was a slave state, he moved to Jacksonville. Reed went into a partnership with Joseph O. King as Reed &amp; King Drugstore located on the southwest corner of the Public Square, until the partnership dissolved in 1841. Dr. Reed, who was a fearless abolitionist that took a toll on him and his family both emotionally and financially. His contribution to the UGRR movement was his ability to spy. As he made his medical rounds, he made it his business to know the movements of the enemy and assist the conductors. He often wore a disguise to witness what the slave catchers were doing and report back to the other abolitionist. At night he would often walk in the road, because he feared he would get jumped on the sidewalks. His fear of revenge by the pro-slavery supporters hit home when his family would jump at a knock on the door. The danger of his spying was brought home to his door step one morning during a family devotion a knock came to the door, which Reed opened the door, three angry men demanded to know where the whereabouts of Bob and Emily Logan, local slaves who ran off from the owner who was visiting a relative in Jacksonville. The two slaves were not in the home and the angry men left. Another brush with fear was the time an arsonists try to set his home on fire while he was out for the night. Often His wife and oldest daughter was exposed to danger. One night when Dr. Reed was gone, a drunk came to the door wanting the Dr. but his wife said he was in Waverly and when she tried to shut the door, the drunk tried to force it open. The girls then placed a chair in his way, then Elizabeth called her daughter to help stop the man from forcing his way in. The daughter found a pair of tongs and showed them to the intruder, he got wised and left. (Eames, 146-147)

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. 

Undergound Railroad Site, Dr. Marco McLean Reed, Spy and Medical Doctor 1801-1877

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.  

 Underground Railroad site. Thomas Wilson Melendy, Mechanic, Carpenter, and Abolitionists 1789-1881

King was
engaged in many civic duties in addition to his main merchant business.&nbsp; In 1846 King with the help of Dorothea Dix, a
famous mental health activist, was able to bring the state mental hospital to
Jacksonville. King was also a visual impairment advocate who helped bring the
Illinois School for the Blind (ISVI) to Jacksonville in 1849. King also brought
lighting to Jacksonville when he&nbsp; established
the Jacksonville Gas Light and Coke Company on South Main Street. His last
great contribution to Jacksonville came in the late 1860s was the creation of
the water works system. King also served one term as a Republican
Jacksonville's mayor. (Olson, 88-89) 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Joseph King became deeply involved
with abolition political meetings in the 1850s. He&nbsp; provided meeting space at his store on the
square for the “purpose of organizing a
political agitation for the exclusion of slavery from the free territories” such
as the&nbsp; Free Democratic Party. The New
Englanders who came to Jacksonville sympathized with the movement, but some of
the abolitionist were looked at as fanatics, revolutionists who were despised
with little support from local churches, except the Congregational church.
(Eames, 135) Being an abolitionist King himself experience some of his
customers refused to shop at his store because of his beliefs.

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. 

Underground Railroad site, Joseph Olmsted King, Merchant, humanitarian, 1814-1887

One former slave who became an abolitionist
knew firsthand what life was like in bondage. Born into slavery on April 11,
1811 in Bourbon county, Kentucky, Benjamin' Henderson took his former master's
last name. He grew up as a slave until his&nbsp;
master Alexander Henderson died and his son, William Henderson inherited
Benjamin from his father. In accordance to the Will of Alexander, Benjamin was
to be freed at the age of 32 however, he could not wait and received&nbsp; his manumission in 1837. Benjamin had a trusting
relationship with his master, because he was allowed to go to New Orleans to
work for his freedom. At the age of 26 he came back to Kentucky and bought his
freedom for $250.00. The following year, Benjamin married Julian
Haydon on January 25, 1838. Julian was born about 1821 in Nicholas County,
Kentucky. Two years later, the couple had their first child a son, born in 1840
who presumably died shortly after, as he was not listed in any state census
records. When the couple made their way to Jacksonville in 1841,&nbsp; Benjamin became a teamster, and became
involved with the UGRR transporting runaways from 1841 to about 1858 and often
used his house for a station. The young married couple had five
children between 1841and 1857.&nbsp;One of his many Underground Railroad story was:&nbsp;

&nbsp;“My first experience was in a
small way. A fugitive came in one Saturday evening and we carefully secret it
[him] in a short time and then put him on the road for the next station. Next,
a man came to my house from Mississippi and as I was not well acquainted with
the road to Springfield I tried for two days to get someone else to go but
couldn't so I got a buggy one night and started. Indications of daylight
appeared before we reach the city and my man began to get uneasy.&nbsp; I lost the way and hardly knew where to go
but finally made a successful turn and found the town. Daniel Callahan and
William Butler were our station keepers and without very much trouble I found
the latter and left my charge with him. At one time a man hotly pursued came to
my house. He was valuable and the main roads were closely watched. I took him
by the roundabout way and got him through alright.”&nbsp; “Once two girls were brought to my house one
of them dressed in men's clothes. I kept him several days till two others came
and took them all off.” (Eames, 144)

A former slave who became an abolitionist and transported many runaway slaves to Springfield, Illinois from 1841 to bout 1856.

Underground Railroad site, Benjamin Henderson, Free Slave and Teamster 1811-1890 

Although Spencer and Benjamin Henderson had a
21 year differences in age, the two made for a good partnership in their quest
to help the enslaved.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Spencer
was born September 27, 1832 near Lexington, Kentucky. At the age of three he came to live with James T. Holmes originally from New
England, in Morgan County, Illinois. Records do not tell how he came to live
with the Holmes' family. Spencer parents were slaves. His mother and five siblings
were sold.&nbsp; Jane Vance, James Holmes'
wife, who was from Lexington, Kentucky, bought Spencer when he was 2 years old.
He lived with the Holmes family and several other labors in 1850.&nbsp; By the age of 22 Spencer moved to Jacksonville, but before he could be out on
his own, he was a slave by Illinois law. James Holmes had to file a bond of
$1,000.00 for “good behavior for the freeman” at the Morgan County
Courthouse.&nbsp; At the age of 25, Spencer moved to Jacksonville and
learned how to read and write by a teacher at one of the local academy, in exchanged for cut firewood. Later he was able to receive more
education at the Second Baptist church in Jacksonville. By 1860 Spencer, who
was now 32 years old, married a local&nbsp;
girl from Lexington, Kentucky, Marcella F. Young (Yound) on January 1,
1860 in Morgan County, Illinois.&nbsp; David and Marcella had ten children in their
lifetime. The married couple was listed in the William's Jacksonville Directory
and Business Mirror of 1860-61 as living on Marion Street between Church and
Rockwell Streets, near Benjamin Henderson's home.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; David
Spencer joined the Union Army in 1864 as a substitute for the draft. Spencer at
the time lived at Sulphur Springs, Morgan County. During the war draftees could hire a substitute to take their place, in this
case Andrew Rossier, a farmer from Rose Township, outside of Shelbyville,
Illinois.&nbsp; Spencer, at the age of 32, mustered in on November 5, 1864 as a Private for the
13th Regular&nbsp; U.S. Colored
Artillery. He went to Camp Nelson, Kentucky were he saw no action during his
time. Camp Nelson was established in 1863 as a depot for the Union Army and a
safe haven for contraband, army slang for runaway slaves. Spencer witness
thousands of contraband who came to Camp Nelson. On May 4, 1865, his yearlong enlistment was up and his last pay from the army
was $32.64.&nbsp; After he came home to Jacksonville, a few
months later on July 28, 1865 he bought lots 10 and 11 in the Simmons Heirs
addition on the southeast side of town for $640.00. &nbsp; Later he bought a part of lot 32 from Abner Yates in 1871 in the
Sanderson Addition. At some time he was partners with John Cherry, a teamster
who lived on College St. By 1871 Spencer and his family lived on East Street,
south of Morton Ave until his death on October 18, 1914. The house no longer stands.

&nbsp;There is only one recorded interview
from David Spencer. 

“My first exploit was in the memorable
winter of 1853-54 for one night awake and drove up to William Olmsted's on
Grove Street with eight runaways. The signal was given and a party unloaded and
cared for money and supplies were raised and I was appointed to start with them
to the great Western Rail Road. We boarded the rear of the train just before
daylight. When asked several times who my company was I replied that they were
friends from Chicago who had been here to spend the holidays. Soon after we
start one of the men whispered in my ear that the old master was in the car a
few seats ahead of us no doubt on the hunt for his property. I told him not to
be afraid for I had a revolver with me and will use it if I had (to). To our
great relief, the slave owner left the train at Springfield little thinking who
had been riding with him. This is one of my experiences I had”. 

Unfortunately this was the only story that Spencer had, but
he gave credit to the other abolitionists who have participated: Ebenezer
Carter, Elihu Wolcott, Dr. Reed, T.W. Melendy, David. B.
Ayers, Benjamin Henderson and Henry Irving who did most of the driving.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Benjamin
Henderson and David Spencer worked together to help bring freedom to those
seeking it. Henderson's role was both conductor and station keeper,&nbsp; as Spencer supplied the runaways with food,
water, and clothes along with an extra set of eyes when Henderson transported
runaways. Spencer was a young man at the time of his UGRR days and had a
different experience than his counterpart. Spencer’s age and lack of “slave
experience” gave him a different perspective of what slavery was. His time at
Fort Nelson opened up his eyes to how bondage affected people compared to
growing up in Morgan County on a farm with a white father figure who treated
him with kindness.

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. 

Underground Railroad abolition, David Spencer, teamster, and a Black Civil War soldier,1832-1914

In the 1800s a small community was founded in southern Jacksonville, IL where the African American Population lived. This community was later named Africa or little Africa because of it. Little Africa was located on W. Beecher Avenue( was known as College St), S. West St, Anna At., and S.Church St. The population was always small in Little Africa but grew to 156 residents in 1860.&nbsp; Many of the residents were former slaves that started a new life in Illinois. And many of them helped aid "freedom seekers" also known as runaways who were on their way north. In order to achieve freedom from oppression. And to obtain more safety and security from their oppressors in the south.&nbsp; Central to Little Africa's community was&nbsp;Mount Emory Baptist Church. One of the most influential people who advocated for Mount Emory baptist Church is reverend Andrew W. Jackson who was a local barber who took over as the pastor of the church in the late 1840s. Due to his position he became a spokesman for the church and Black Jacksonville. He also helped found a second Black church in 1846. Which was the African Methodist Episcopal. Both churches relied on&nbsp;financial help from the good will of wealthy whites in Jacksonville. Which they received help from as Jacksonville was one of the more progressive cities in Illinois as it had a strong New England influence.&nbsp;

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.  

Africa/ Little Africa

Despite his ministry
that often took him away from Jacksonville, Rev. William Kirby was still very
much part of the local&nbsp; Congregation
church UGRR group.&nbsp; Kirby originally came
to&nbsp; Jacksonville to teach at Illinois
College. Prior to coming to Jacksonville, William graduated from Yale Divinity
College in 1827 and became part of the Illinois Association, locally
called&nbsp; “The Yale Band” that founded
Illinois College. Before he moved to Jacksonville he become ordained on March
22, 1831 in Gilford, Connecticut. Later that year William Kirby arrived with
his wife, Hannah McClure Wolcott, the daughter of Elihu Wolcott, and over the
years had seven children. After two years, due to poor health, he stopped teaching at Illinois College
and resumed his ministry as a circuit rider that took him away from family.
(Batmen, 872) About the time he went back to his ministry, Rev. Kirby was part
of the American Home Missionary Society which was the same society that helped
established Illinois College. The family lived on West College Street in a
brick house across the street from the 1859 Congregational church. December 20, 1851
Kirby died at the age of 46. His involvement was limited do to his ministry
that took him away from Jacksonville

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”.

Underground Railroad Staion, William Kirby house Site

As a member of the
Congregational church he was part of the UGRR network who used his home as a
station. Public records suggests that Henry Irving came to Jacksonville in 1842
as a carpenter and joined the Congregational Church. He married a local girl,
Marry Grossman in 1846. (Henry Irving <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.findagrave.com</a>) By 1860
they had six children, all born in Morgan County and lived at the Southwest
corner of College St. and Prairie and the house is still standing on lot 107.
By 1870 Irving was a widower.

Another story started out one dark night he borrowed Ebenezer Carter's team of horses
to move 12 fugitives to the next station across 30 to 40 miles of very bad roads.
Frequently he had to stop and find the road. During the trip, they heard hoofs
on the ground, he stopped the team of horses because everyone was scared, only
to find out it was two lose horses in a field. When daylight appeared the group
feared the slave catches would find them because Farmington was still several
miles away. The band finally reached their destination in safety. (Eames, ?) need to add sources)

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].


Underground Railroad Station, Henry Irving House

On December 15, 1833 after a few months of being in Jacksonville, the Talcott’s founded the Congregational Church and were openly known for being anti-slavery. Asa Talcott acted as a man living two very different lives, one but day and one at night. During the day Asa was known to the community as a hard working brick lawyer and plasterer, but at night was known for successfully helping slaves flee on the Underground Railroad. While Asa Talcott it is not known how many slaves Asa helped while living in Jacksonville, he was successful with every slave that he helped. In fact, a free man named Benjamin Henderson, openly noted that whenever he needed supplies for his fugitives he was helping, Asa was always someone to count on. Around this time, many Illinois College students felt passionate about helping slaves reach the freedom they deserved, and an unconfirmed story took place in February of 1844 these students crossed paths with Asa Talcott. One February evening a slave who had been hiding out in the Black community in Jacksonville called Africa was located. In response to that a few Illinois College students took the slave to Asa Talcott’s barn to hide in the stacks of hay. 	859 Grove Street which has historically been named as the Asa Talcott house wasn’t just owned by Asa and his wife. Prior to them moving to Jacksonville, Joseph Duncan owned it, and in May 1833 sold the five acres of land and the first section of the house built to Asa Talcott for $200. On the house a few bricks were discovered with etching on them showing that in 1844 and 1861 the house was built onto. The two additions to the home were both done with Asa and Maria lived in Jacksonville. According to Philip Decker in A Window on the Past: Residences of Jacksonville, Illinois: Their History and Design, 1833-1925, “Since Talcott was a brick mason, he may well have burned his own bricks from Jacksonville clay which he dug on the premises” (Decker 16). Then in 1860, the Talcotts’ sold the home to William G. Gallaher and moved to Oregon. To this day, the Talcott home still presents many original features from when Asa owned it.

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. 

Asa Talcott House

Prior to May of 1833, Jospeh Duncan and his brother-in-law Matthew St. Clair owned this property.&nbsp;Benjamin Allyn purchased the home from Duncan&nbsp;and his family lived in the house for the next five years. The Allyns sold the house through their attorney William Thomas to Abraham Clark for $3,500. On that very same day, Abraham Clark and his wife sold the whole property to Dr. Bezaleel Gillett for $4,550.&nbsp; Dr. Bezaleel Gillett&nbsp;was one of Jacksonville's earliest physicians and operated from this home which included his office and waiting room. He was a leader in his church and a member of several boards of trustees in addition to supporting the Underground Railroad. According to several accounts, Gillett quartered fugitive slaves in a large shack south of the house that has since been demolished. For example, local sources have preserved the story of how Gillett helped eight fugitives slaves who arrived at this home in a wagon. A fellow abolitionist known as "Mr. James" reportedly came the very next morning to help these eight people escape to Canada where they would no longer be in danger of capture and re-enslavement. According to the story passed down by fellow opponents of slavery, one of the enslaved persons noticed his former owner&nbsp;on the train but was able to remain undetected.&nbsp; The Gillett House was one of the largest in the growing community and the location of&nbsp;elegant parties that were attended by many of the leading families of Jacksonville. The center of the house featured a large chimney designed to heat the entire home which featured elements of New England colonial architecture. The main entrance hall allows for natural light that would have welcomed guests and patients. Demonstrating Gillett's passion for education, the home also held a large&nbsp;library.&nbsp;

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.  

The Gillett House 

Elijah Parish Lovejoy was born November 9, 1802 in Albion, Massachusetts. Later in his life, Lovejoy attended mass at a revival Presbyterian church. It was here that his views on slavery changed. Lovejoy at first supported the slow integration of slavery, but after his experience at the Presbyterian church, he fought for abolition of slavery. &nbsp;Lovejoy published his views on slavery in the newspaper in St. Louis and in Alton. His publications were met with angry pro-slavery protesters, which led to his printing presses being destroyed on a number of occasions. Elijah Lovejoy published in his newspaper how he felt about the protesters, writing, “...as long as I am an American citizen, an as long as American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, and to publish whatever I please on any subject” (Simon 63).Lovejoy and Edward Beecher, a previous president of Illinois College, became fast friends because of their abolitionist views. The two men planned an anti-slavery convention, but on the night of the convention the two men faced an angry mob. On November 7, 1837, a mob of protesters found out where Lovejoy’s printing press was stored. Lovejoy refused to leave, wanting to defend his printing press but was killed in the chaos. When word of Elijah’s death reached Edward Beecher, Beecher’s campaign against slavery became even stronger, causing &nbsp;controversy in the Jacksonville community. Because of Beecher’s beliefs and his connection to Lovejoy, Illinois College came to be known to the people around the area as an abolitionist school.After word had traveled to Jacksonville of Lovejoy’s death, a protest was held by the students and professors on the grounds of Illinois College. It was held so that students and professors could speak out on slavery and to remember Elijah Lovejoy. &nbsp;Many years later on July 5, 1933, in response to the protest held on the Illinois College Campus, a memorial was erected by the Department of Illinois Women’s Relief Corp. Auxiliary To The Grand Army Of the Republic. The Memorial commemorated the protests against slavery that were held by the Illinois College students, and to demonstrate to others that Illinois College was filled with people who wanted to create a change in the world, and were willing to do so.

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. 

Elijah Lovejoy Memorial

Being&nbsp; a member of the Presbyterian church, he had
ties to the Congressional Church members as a fellow abolitionist. One of
Pierson’s involvement took place after 1853 when he hid 3 women who were at
first brought to his house and later&nbsp;
moved to a second station, Kirby's home. After a ten day stay, Henderson
moved them to (Dr. John) Lyman's place in Pleasant Plains [Farmington]. The
women were being chased by officials from Jacksonville, under the Fugitive
Slave law. Pierson was also involved with Joseph Tuner's only
recorded incident with runaways that took place in December of 1846. Irving
came to Turner for help with three runaways that escaped from the St. Louis'
slave market. The three were hiding in an old cabin southwest of where Benjamin
Henderson lived. Turner, with a hickory stick in hand went to get the three
women, who had have been living outdoors for about a week. Turner took the
three to Dr. Pierson, to ask if he could help the fugitives. The good doctor
took them in and fed and nursed the three for one to two weeks before someone
else took them to Canada. &nbsp; A record search did not
indicate a year that Pierson came to Jacksonville. But&nbsp; records search indicates that by the 1850’s
he moved&nbsp; to Schuyler County, Illinois to
farm and later in life settled in Augusta, Hancock County, Illinois where he
died.

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.

Underground Railroad site, Dr. Azle D. Pierson, Doctor and abolitionists, 1817-1910

&nbsp;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.

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.&nbsp; A band of Southern sympathizers
was looking for this slave girl and they thought she ran to&nbsp; 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. 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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. 




Underground Railroad site, Ebenezer Carter, Farmer and Abolitionist  1797-1860

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.&nbsp; When he came to Morgan County, he farmer 80 acres of land by 1835, south of
Jacksonville (T15N-R10W, sec 32). By
1850 his adult son William Chauncey, age 30, his wife Julia, age 24, and&nbsp; son Samuel was farming with Ebenezer. The Carter’s
took in two orphans, 6 year old D. Spannholder and 13 year old&nbsp; D. Rodrigues. Soon after Ebenezer died on May
25, 1860, Eliza may have taken in borders, single mother, Mary Woodward, age 36
and her two daughters, Emma and Mary lived at the Carter farm.

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.   


Underground Railroad Ebenzer Carter House Site

<a title="Link: http://www.findagrave.com" href="http://www.findagrave.com"> </a>&nbsp;

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.


Underground Railroad, William Verry House Site

He purchased his farm north of Jacksonville in
1839, owning from 188 to 285 acres. His sons George
and John owned the farm in 1872. Laurie once helped a fugitive slave
with a $1,500.00 bounty on him who came to Jacksonville. This fugitive was
hiding out in the “Little Africa” section of Jacksonville. A neighbor came to
visit the home were the runaway was hiding out and having breakfast at the
time. The neighbor left the home to tell he slave hunters that he was not at
the home of Mr. Bailey. Afterwards the fugitive was then taken from station to
station until Barbour Lewis and Samuel Willard took him to the home of John
Laurie, north of Jacksonville. &nbsp;

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. 

Underground Railroad site, John Laurie, Sr, Farmer and abolitionists 1787-1863

Woodlawn Farm was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker and wife Jane, and their rather large family who were one of the first settlers of Morgan County. The Huffaker family traveled from Kentucky to Jacksonville in 1820, and bought this land east of Jacksonville. Michael Huffaker originally built a cabin for his family, and then another four cabins to accommodate free Black slaves that helped Huffaker around his farm. Later, in 1840, he built the two story brick home that still stands today.   Another possible UGRR station was at the Michael L. Huffaker's farm. The farm is located east of Jacksonville, south of Old State Road. The Huffakers were from Kentucky who moved to Morgan county and built a farmstead they called Wood lawn Farm. The Morgan County census of 1850 listed Michael and his first wife Jane with a farmhand named Wellington with five children listed. The family were not members of any known abolitionist church or groups. The local legend of this farm being a haven for runaway slaves was based on a narrative by Fannie Crassly, a granddaughter of Michael. Her memories as a child was recorded when she was an elderly woman. One such story, believed to be of a runaway family. The only known connection to the UGRR is a family story “She [Fannie] jumped out of bed, crept to the head of the old walnut stairs and clinging to the banisters, looked down into the hall. There were a colored man and two white ones whispering together and a mulatto woman with a little child in her arms. The woman's eyes rolled with fright, and she tried to hush the child's cries. Mother thought they must be new help, and, thinking she [Fannie] would see them in the morning. She went back to bed”. The next day they were gone. Fannie was told not to tell anyone what she saw. Fannie also remembers her grandfather having Black labors helping on the farm, which was common on Illinois farms. What Fannie remembers may have been a runaway family who was lost on their way to the next UGRR station. The known UGRR route was along the Jacksonville-Springfield road, now called Old State Road. Perhaps someday historians could confirm the farm as a station.                   Huffaker rumored to employed freed Black slaves to help him out around his farm, such as raising cattle, horses, and crops. Huffaker became on of Morgan County's wealthiest residents with the success of his farm. By employing them, it made it easier to hide run away slaves. It was important to make sure unfreed slaves blended in with the freed Blacks so Huffaker would not be fined. The fine was $100 per runaway slave. The farm that the Huffaker family owned can still be seen today, including the two story brick home he built himself. It is located east of Jacksonville, along interstate 72. The farm was bought on December 3, 2003 by Morgan County Historical Society. In 2007, the farm was added to the National Register of Historical Places. They opened the farm as a museum for the public. You can take a tour during specific seasons, or special occasions throughout the year.

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. 

Jacksonville’s Anti-slavery Movement, 1823-1860 Tour

Bethel AME Church

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources