Underground Railroad in Chester and adjoining counties, until universal freedom made it no longer a necessary pathway of the slave to liberty.

ROBERT C. SMEDLEY.

WEST CHESTER, PA., 10th Mo. 9th, 1882.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Opposition to Clause in Constitution Sanctioning Slavery.—Origin of Organized System of Underground Railroad work in Columbia.-Early Settlement of Friends There.-First Attempt at Kidnapping. -WILLIAM WRIGHT.-Increasing Number of Fugitives.-Routes and Agents Established.-Origin of the Term, Underground Railroad. PAGE 25

CHAPTER II.

Slaves Escape in Large Numbers from Harford and Baltimore Counties, Md.-Agents at Gettysburg.-At York Springs.—William Wright.-Twenty-Six Fugitives.-Another Party of Sixteen.Another of Four.-Death of WM. WRIGHT, York Springs.-Agents in York.-Attempts to Intercept Fugitives at Columbia.-SAMUEL W. MIFFLIN.-Incidents.

36

CHAPTER III.

DANIEL AND Hannah GibBONS.-JAMES GIBBONS.-Incidents.-Daniel Gibbon's Method of Questioning Fugitives.-Other Incidents. 53

CHAPTER IV.

DR. JOSEPH GIBBONS.-Early Education.-Studies Medicine.-His Wife PHEBE EARLE GIBBONS, a Contributor to Literature.-Dr. Gibbons Establishes The Journal.-DR. J. K. ESHLEMAN.-Incidents.

CHAPTER V.

59

THOMAS WHITSON.-Member of First National Anti-Slavery Convention.-Incidents.-JACOB BUSHONG.-Incidents.-JEREMIAH Moore.

-Incidents.

67

CHAPTER VI.

JOSEPH AND CALEB C. HOOD.-Women Aided by Rev. Charles T. Torrey on His Last Trip to Maryland.-Sketch of the Life of TORREY.-Three Men Who Had Been Engaged in the Christiana Riot.-Other Incidents.-LINDLEY COATES.-Incidents.-JOSHUA

BRINTON.-Incidents.

80

CHAPTER VII.

JOSEPH FULTON.-Incidents.-Assists Wives of Parker and Pinkney.— MOSES WHITSON.-Colored Man Betrayed by Fortune-Teller.-Incidents.-William Baer Assists in Capturing a Slave at Marsh Chamberlain's.-ABRAHAM BONSALL.-Elisha Tyson.-THOMAS BONSALL. Meeting of Abolitionists.-Clarkson Anti-Slavery Society Formed. -Incidents.-Marriage to Susan P. Johnson.

CHAPTER VIII.

90

THE CHRISTIANA TRAGEDY.-Sketch of Life of William Parker.-Dickerson Gorsuch Lay Wounded, and was Cared for at the House of Levi Pownall.-Castner Hanway Tried for Treason.-Other Cases Removed to Lancaster.-Acquittal.

CHAPTER IX.

107

J. WILLIAMS THORNE.-Incidents.-Kidnapping at Michael Myers.SEYMOUR C. WILLIAMSON.-JAMES FULTON, JR., AND GIDEON PIERCE.-Incidents.-GRAVNER AND HANNAH MARSH.-Incidents.Sarah Marsh marries Eusebius Barnard.-Work of Station Closes.

131

CHAPTER X.

John Vickers, Early Education and Domestic Life.--Incidents.-Abner Landrum.-Other Incidents.-Paxson Vickers.--Charles Moore. Micajah and William A. Speakman.-Sarah A., daughter of Micajah, marries J. Miller McKim.

CHAPTER XI.

143

THE LEWIS FAMILY.-Descent.-Labors for the Slave.-Clothing Furnished Fugitives by Friends.--Incidents.-DR. EDWIN FUSSELL.Experience and Incidents.

168