The Freedom Seekers
A Publication of the Friends of Freedom Society, Inc.
Volume 4 Issue 1
April 2003
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
A dear friend, a consummate researcher, a productive author, a preservation
activist, a cornerstone of the Friends of Freedom Society, Jim Caccamo passed
away on November 9, 2002.
He suffered a heart attack at his Munroe Falls home.
Coincidentally, the first meeting for the new slate of FOFS officers was
being held that morning at Cathy Nelson's home. The new vice-president, Jim had
advised us earlier that pressing matters would not permit him to make the 2
1/2-hour drive, something he had done regularly to attend meetings as regional
coordinator. The phone call that morning from Jim's wife, Brianna, was stunning
to all of us. Less than a month before, we had cheered as Jim was honored as
Conductor of the Year at the 2002 Summit in Marietta. Typically, his acceptance
speech focused on other FOFS members, not on himself.
But his body of work for two decades has always spoken eloquently of his
dedication, his successes, and his love for history and research. He was a
faculty member at Kent State University; director of the Kent Historical
Society; co-founder and director of CHIPS - a consortium of historical
societies; archivist and reference librarian at the Hudson Public Library;
founder of Time Travelers for kids; and a charter member of the Hudson
Genealogical Study Group. He was the voice of the historical group which saved
the Kent Dam, and the acknowledged expert on Summit County history. He was an
entertaining speaker, particularly on the subject of John Brown.
He authored several books and textbooks, among them The Story of Hudson Ohio;
The Story of Kent, Ohio; Hudson Ohio and the Underground Railroad; and Kent,
Ohio: the Dynamic Decades. As you know, he collected and compiled the
information and was readying for publication the Society's tome on the
Underground Railroad in Ohio.
When I accepted the call to run for president of FOFS, I was buoyed by the
fact that he had agreed to become vice-president. I enjoyed his acerbic wit; I
admired his tireless promotion of accurate history; I was fascinated by his
encyclopedic grasp of facts across the historical spectrum; I was impressed by
his accomplishments and by his unflagging enthusiasm.
He was too young to leave us, too valuable to us, too centric to the
Society's mission; but, of course, those are selfish thoughts tied to his
mammoth contributions to us.
More pertinent are thoughts of condolence to his wife, his family, and his
hundreds of friends.
At the Society's general membership meeting in January, we voted unanimously
to honor Jim by establishing a memorial fund. The collected monies will be used
to fund future UGRR markers.
He would approve of that.
Don Ross
Membership Committee Formed
by Shirley White-Young
Our objective is to outreach in geographical areas to recruit new members,
and to focus on retention of current members. If current members know of any
events occurring in their respective towns, cities whereby FOFS/UGRR can
piggyback and set up a booth or table to outreach to prospective members, please
notify the membership committee.
Committee members are: Shirley Wilson-Young, Chair; Sharon Montgomery and
Marla Jones, Columbus; Thelma Q. Smith and Margaret Christian, Oberlin; Douglass
Thomas, Cleveland.
Address Change!
Our post office box is now closed. Our new mailing address is:
586 East Town
Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Continue to send me information for the newsletters at:
ugrrohio@yahoo.com
or
6134 Lucas Avenue Ashtabula, Ohio 44004-6318
or
My phone number is (440) 992-0897
- Debbie Laveck
THE REGIONAL NEWS & VIEWS
NORTH EAST REGION -
from Debbie Laveck
Saturday, March 22, saw the dedication of the second Ohio Bicentennial Marker
in Ashtabula County to recognize someone of importance to the abolitionist
movement at a known UGRR site. The first Ohio Historical Society marker was
dedicated in May 2000 at the Hubbard House in Ashtabula. The most recent
dedication was held at Betsey Mix Cowles home in Austinburg. Over 45 people were
in attendance, including JD Britton, Manager of the Local History Office of the
Ohio Historical Society.
I had been approached by the Women's Advisory Council of the Ohio
Bicentennial Committee to write for this marker in late summer of 2001. Since
Betsey Mix Cowles is someone I greatly admire, I thought it would be an easy
task. It was not. "Aunt Betsey," as she was know in her day, was more
than an abolitionist and agent on the underground railroad, she was also a women's
rights activist, educator and historian. The easiest way to describe her impact
on Ohio and the United States is to submit to the readers the material I
presented when requesting the marker. It is as follows:
"In an era when women faced certain expectations - not attending
college, not receiving equal pay for equal work, not speaking out for the
abolition of slavery - Betsey Mix Cowles did all these things and more.
Born on February 9, 1810 at Bristol, Connecticut, she removed from
that town to Farmington, Ohio and then in 1811 to Austinburg, Ohio, which was to
become her home. Her father, Giles Hooker Cowles, was a Congregational minister
at the first church erected in the Connecticut Western Reserve. The family's
move to Austinburg, Ohio was marked by the determination of another strong woman
- Sibbel Austin - who rode on horseback for four weeks back to Connecticut to
find a permanent minister for the small Ohio congregation which Joseph Badger
had recently left in order to serve as a missionary among the Indians.
Like many folks who moved to the Western Reserve area of Ohio, Reverend
Cowles carried the strong New England sentiments of piety and morality,
fervently in favor of the temperance, peace, abolition, feminist, and education
movements.
Being raised in a family that valued women, education and freedom for all
people left an indelible mark on Betsey Cowles and her seven siblings. Made for
more than to flutter or to serve, Betsey Mix Cowles lived her words, dedicated
to improving the lives of women and blacks, slave or free. She taught infant
school, a forerunner of kindergarten, as early as 1832, and for the prior seven
years, taught in a common school in her neighborhood. She served as the first
dean of women at Grand River Institute, and later became one of the first women
public school superintendents in Ohio. Miss Cowles was a member of the third
class of Oberlin College to graduate women and was delighted that the college
had such a rigorous academic schedule.
Miss Cowles served as President of the first Ohio Women's Rights Convention
in Salem, 1850. She was appointed to the business committee and presented her
treatise, The Report of Labor, regarding the inequality of pay for women and
men, at the Akron Women's Rights Convention of 1851, the same convention where
Sojourner Truth delivered her famous Ain't I a Woman? speech.
In 1852, at age 42, she served on the Executive Committee for the Ohio Women's
Rights Association, a new feminist group.
With her sister Cornelia and brother Lewis, she sang in the "Cowles
Family Singers" at anti-slavery meetings, helping to raise monies and
awareness of the plights of enslaved individuals.
As an agent of the Underground Railroad, she opened her home to fugitive
slaves. She conducted Sunday School classes for black and white children. When a
little black girl suggested to "Aunt Betsey" that perhaps she should
stay home so the white children would come back to Sunday School, Betsey replied
that it was the white children's problem and to keep attending.
She had a strong sense of history and encouraged her family and community to
preserve the past. In 1856, believing in keeping history alive, she wrote,
Preserve the old chest carefully for the sake of the Pioneers of the then
west & if Strangers - children of the present & the yet unborn shall
celebrate the hundreth (sic) anniversary - spirits of the departed shall
meet with them.
She stood by her principles, maintained her integrity, and pushed forward
those ideals she held closest to her. For this reason, she deserves the respect
of all citizens of the state and the country - and an historic marker."
(By the way, Sibbel Austin also ran an UGRR station, with her husband
Eliphalet.)
EAST REGION - from
Robb Hyde, President Alliance Area Preservation Society
Here's an update on activity at the Haines House in Alliance:
The Alliance Area Preservation Society completed its full first year of
ownership of the Haines House in 2003. The group was able to complete repairs to
the roof, gutter system, soffit, and fascia to end water damage which had
occurred while the building was vacant. The first phase of a new HVAC system was
installed, providing heat that now has allowed the group to continue renovations
and tours through the winter months. Three of ten rooms were completed during
2003. Over 1,000 people visited the Haines House in the first 15 months. A grant
of $20,000 was received in December from from The Hoover Foundation, which will
allow the HVAC work to be completed and provide initial funding for the repair
and repointing of the House's brick exterior. The Preservation Society has begun
a pilot program which will bring every third grader in the Alliance City School
District in for a tour of the House. The group also worked with the YWCA to
present a special Black History Month program detailing the stories of fugitive
slaves. The Society's Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 24 at Rodman Public
Library will feature a program by Southeast Coordinator Henry Burke. We would
also like to acknowledge the debt we owe to the late Jim Caccamo, who as East
Region Coordinator offered essential support and guidance during our earliest
activities. He helped us off to a good start, and he is missed.
SALT FORK REGION -
from Connie Quarles
Muskingum County is very busy with three projects: The Gant House Foundation
is busy raising money to pay off the mortgage and renovate the Home of former
slave Nelson T. Gant. Our FOFS marker is erected in front of the house. Thanks
again to Cathy Nelson and Jack Marchbanks for the ODOT marker program. A special
thanks to Chris Engle who is our District Deputy Director for taking Jack's
challenge and purchasing the marker for us. We are planning a fundraiser in May
around Nelson's birthday.
George Adams is busy renovating Prospect Place in Trinway. This is a huge
undertaking. He does have tours of the Work in progress. You can check out his
website for a progress report: http://www.prospectplace-dresden.com
He welcomes visitors especially members of Friends of Freedom Society. I am sure he
would also welcome volunteers to assist him also. So if you are handy with a
hammer or paint brush and have some free time, let George know.
The PURE Center is finished with the building renovations and is working on
the furniture and items for the inside of the Museum. We will let you know when
they have their grand opening.
Some cousins of mine were planning a Family Reunion for July 18 - 20, 2003
here in Zanesville. It is turning out to be a gathering of families in
Southeastern Ohio. We are celebrating the Lett Settlement in Meigs Township,
their descendents and their relatives in neighboring counties. We have asked
Mandy at Wayne National Forest to give her presentation. Ann and the forestry
has done so much research of the Letts in their county and we want to share
information. You will hear more about this event a little later.
I spent New Years Day with Rev. Dodrill. He is the gentleman on crutches who
talked about his experiences at the Banquet at the Summit in Zanesville. He is
wanting to contribute to the Friends of Freedom Society in some way. He has two
tables he is willing to auction of and split the proceeds with us and the WIN
program he is also involved with. He is patiently waiting for his book
"Thunder on the Muskingum" to be published. Rev. Dodrill is a very
fascinating man and a dear to spend time with. I want to spend more time with
him to document the activities in McConnelsville.
When I get some free time I want to spend time in Guernsey County records on
the houses there that we need more documentation on.
Congratulations to Cathy Nelson for receiving the Columbus YWCA Women of
Achievement Award.
STATE -
Cathy Nelson
The 8th Annual Ohio
UGRR Summit is taking shape. Beverly Gray is this year's chairperson. Click
here for more information.
Carey
Steele is the new East Region Coordinator.
Summit "Firsts" at Marietta
by Leslie Blankenship
The Summit in Marietta last October afforded those attending with a number of
significant firsts. As many participated in the following events, they may not
have realized that they were making history! Here are some of these firsts.
The 2002 Friends of Freedom Summit gave us:
The first power-point
presentation at an Ohio UGRR Summit.
To Ann Cramer and her associates from the Wayne National Forest goes the
credit for raising the bar on this group's expectations for all future graphics
and special effects illustrating presentations. The first summit where
attendance exceeded the pre-registration limit. Unfortunately, this prevented
people who had planned to register on-site from attending. Let this be a lesson
to procrastinators everywhere - don't let this happen to you this October in
Chillicothe!
Presentations by the first husband
and wife tag-team.
Henry Robert Burke, our
amiable Southeast Regional Coordinator, Summit Committee Chair, and Marietta
host presented his family's personal experiences crossing the River Jordan from
slave country into Ohio. The previous evening, we all were held spellbound by
the performance of Henry's play, "The Escape of Jane," which was also
based on family experiences. Sandra
Moats Burke, a resident of West Virginia, described the perspective from
people living south of the Ohio River - many of whom abhorred slavery. On a
personal note, Sandra delivered a chilling tale of the murder of three of her
family members who lived in "Western Virginia." These stories had been
passed down through the generations of her family. No one was ever charged with
the murders - which seemed rather odd to Sandra since the names of the
perpetrators were a matter of public record. Only recently through research had
Sandra come to the realization that her relatives had been murdered for their
anti-slavery activities, such was the hatred toward abolitionists in Virginia.
First time the Summit visited a slaveholder's
plantation house.
Henderson Hall was constructed in the 1850s by one George Washington
Henderson, who at one time held more than 60 slaves. This was unusual in this
area, since most slaveholders of Western Virginia averaged only five slaves. The
Henderson Mansion house consists of 17-rooms located in a picturesque setting in
Wood County, West Virginia overlooking the Ohio River. The mansion was once the
centerpiece of a plantation of 2,300 acres where fine horses and cattle grazed.
A. R. Henderson, descendant of G. W. Henderson graciously opened the doors of
his antebellum home and permitted us to gaze into the world of his ancestors.
The modern Mr. Henderson regaled us with stories about his family and the
history of the area. It was quite a tour - the house felt as if G. W. and his
wife Elizabeth Tomlinson Henderson had just stepped outside the door. All the
family items were lovingly preserved. The grounds of the house also protected
several pre-historic Indian mounds.
A first for the traditional Summit
dinner: a riverboat cruise.
Summit-attendees had never before enjoyed such a riparian repast. It was an
evening of magic - twinkling lights and glistening water - as we cruised up and
down the liquid line of freedom that had offered so much hope to so many people
in the past.
The first opportunity many of us
had to be in close proximity to a legendary UGRR icon - Dr. Charles Blockson of
Temple University.
The author of many UGRR histories, including the highly acclaimed article
published in 1984 in National Geographic, Dr. Blockson has been fighting on the
frontline for UGRR heritage education and preservation for decades. His
recurrent battle cry "commemorate, don't commercialize" these stories
of brave men and women who risked their lives for the freedom of others
resonated with the audience.
The first official award
recognizing the outstanding volunteer efforts of the Friends of Freedom.
As if the evening did not offer enough memorable experiences, the Friends of
Freedom were presented with an official award from no less an august body than
the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The honor was bestowed upon us for our
compatible partnering with staff at the Wayne National Forest to preserve the
UGRR heritage of the historic iron furnaces in Lawrence County.
Several firsts on Sunday at the
dedication of our Summit marker.
The marker was placed at the birthplace of Marietta abolitionist David
Putnam, Jr.
This was the first time a former
Governor of Ohio delivered remarks at the dedication of one of our markers.
But the story doesn't stop here. This was no ordinary Governor, this was Nancy
Putnam Hollister who has some firsts of her own: She is the
first (and the last) woman Governor of Ohio.
She is also the first of our
Marker Dedication Speakers to be descended from the subject of the marker
- David Putnam, Jr.
And the final "first" for our 2002 Summit is the most amazing of
them all: it is the first story any
of us had ever encountered of a runaway who successfully fled bondage only to
later apologize for running and to request permission to return to the
slave-holder! As the story was told to us, a slave by the name of Isaac
Fairfax escaped bondage at Henderson Hall to seek his freedom in the North. He
made it to safety in Canada, but found the climate and community not to his
liking. Incredibly, he wrote a letter to Mr. Henderson, apologizing for his
transgression and asking if he could come home! Of course, he had his conditions
for returning - he would come back to the plantation only if he were not
punished for running and if he could retain his freedom. The master of Henderson
Hall granted these requests, and Isaac returned home, built a house of his own
near the Big House, and happily worked for the family. For the rest of the story
w! e turn to pages 58-59 of Henry Burke's book entitled Mason-Dixon Line -
The Underground Railroad along the Ohio River:
"George W. Henderson agreed to the terms in Isaac's letter and in
September or October of 1846, Isaac Fairfax returned to Henderson Hall. He
remained there until the spring of 1847, then he left again. This time he
took eight other slaves with him. A slave informant reported to Mr.
Henderson that Isaac Fairfax had conspired with David Putnam, Jr. of
Marietta for passage on the Underground Railroad! This led to a famous
lawsuit."
The lawsuit filed in 1849 against David Putnam, Jr. by G. W. Henderson is
commemorated in the text of our Friends of Freedom marker. Henderson sued for
