Following Freedom
The Underground Railroad in York County
The term "Underground Railroad" refers to a loosely organized network of abolitionists and sympathetic individuals primarily living in Northern states that sought to aid African Americans in their journeys out of slavery from the Southern states to freedom in the North or to Canada, where slavery had been outlawed by the British Empire since the 1830s. Rather than one organization the Underground Railroad was more of a collection of small, localized networks of friends and family (known as “conductors”) who coordinated with neighboring networks to keep freedom seekers moving onward. Their destination depended on many conditions and every freedom seeker's journey was different. Part of the difficulty in geographically representing the Underground Railroad is that there were no set routes to the next known safehouse. And just because you know about a conductor's home in York doesn't mean you can travel there if you learn that slave catchers were waiting for you there. The map below provides a good example of the most common routes for freedom seekers traveling across York County. But remember maps like these are more for our benefit in visualizing what their journey might have looked like.
From The Ground Swallowed Them Up by Scott Mingus
Although some freedom seekers chose to stay in York County, the majority of African Americans did not remain long. York County was not considered safe because it bordered a slave state and was easily accessible to slave hunters from its border with Maryland. What freedom seekers sought was passage across the Susquehanna River into Lancaster or Dauphin counties. Once over the river it would be much harder for would-be pursuers to locate them and they could begin to consider themselves safe from recapture. However, it is believed several hundred freedom seekers had decided to settle in the county by the 1850s.
In the following story map, we will examine some of the most important locations for freedom seekers who traversed York County starting at the Maryland Line. At each site we'll discover where they might have come from, who in that area could have helped or harmed them, and where they went next. The exhibit continues with how the Underground Railroad was viewed by York Countians at the time as well as learning about the Prigg v. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case that placed York County in the national spotlight on the slavery debate.
The Underground Railroad In South Central Pennsylvania
Maryland Line (then known as New Market), MD
Free of major geographic obstacles the southern border with Maryland was very easy to cross, in theory. Because of this the area was heavily patrolled by bands of slave hunters who sought to prevent freedom seekers from entering Pennsylvania. If a freedom seeker was caught while still in a slave state the legal process was much simpler; otherwise slave hunters would have to get local authorities to sign off on their papers before being able to apprehend anyone. Luckily the region was also active with friendly conductors, the majority of whom were Quakers whose network extended into Virginia. Near the border with York County, it was the Shepherd family of Quakers who guided freedom seekers northward. Most frequently, the family would direct them north towards the home of fellow Quaker, apple nurseryman, and clockmaker Jonathan Jessop along the Baltimore Pike.
Shrewsbury, PA
Not far from the border with Maryland, Shrewsbury saw freedom seekers pass through its streets. John Lowe Jr., a wealthy farmer in the area, was fervently anti-slavery. He operated a camp in the woods that often hosted revivals for the Methodist Episcopal churches of the Mid-Atlantic region. One of his tenants was Samuel Berry and his family who were freed African Americans and well known conductors in the area.
Samuel and Mariam Berry
Samuel Berry worked for years to earn enough money to buy their freedom. Eventually his wife Mariam and their five children moved with him to a farm near Shrewsbury. His daughter Amanda later recalled that in all the years her parents acted as conductors on the Underground Railroad, Samuel only ever lost one person. Slave hunters had tricked a runaway into entering his home just before they arrived so they could catch Samuel in the act. They beat him and captured the slave when he jumped out of a 2nd floor window. Mariam was so upset by these events that when slave hunters appeared after that she would threaten and yell at them until they left, often apologizing for disturbing her. On one occasion she went down to New Market and told everyone there the names of the men who had bothered them the night before trying to find a fugitive slave. The townspeople cried “Shame!” to the men who then skulked away. After she walked right past one of their feared bloodhounds without the dog attacking her, nobody ever bothered the Berry family again. Samuel’s daughter Amanda Smith became a nationally known abolitionist.
Hanover
Not much farther from the Mason-Dixon line than Shrewsbury, many freedom seekers passed through Hanover on their way north, with others coming from neighboring Adams County. Because of its function as a crossroads Hanover was home to a known local slave catcher. William Otter, born in England, had been conscripted into the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He deserted early in the war and immigrated to the United States. Known as "Big Bill" for standing 6' 4" and weighing around 250 pounds, he was an imposing figure who was frequently called upon by slave masters to help catch runaway slaves.
Fawn Grove
Fawn Grove served as a crossroads for freedom seekers coming up from Maryland. Quakers who lived in this small farming community provided shelter and guidance. Members of the Bradley and Kyle families could either send refugees north to ferry crossings like those at Peach Bottom or take the longer journey to York. Peach Bottom was a direct trip, but heading to York could require several stops including at Airville, Brogue, Red Lion and Dallastown.
Peach Bottom
The Peach Bottom area had several active conductors who could assist freedom seekers across the river. Isaac Waters and farmer John Morrison would lead them to the river at night and lead them across the river into Drumore Township in Lancaster. Another conductor was a former slave named Henry W Grant who had been freed by his master at the age of 19 and married another freed slave and together they moved to Southern Lancaster. After their 12th child was born, Henry moved his family to Peach Bottom Township. Here he helped fellow African Americans on their way to freedom and held frequent meetings with fellow conductors in his home. The group included himself, Isaac Waters, Robert Fisher, Isaac Fields, Thomas Clarke, and another free African American Elijah "Lige" Starkey.
Drumore Township
Once freedom seekers had been shuttled across the river from Peach Bottom, several local conductors in Drumore Township helped them move deeper into Lancaster County. Joseph Smith, a Quaker, sheltered them in an underground area of his barn. John F. Russell also allowed former slaves to hide at his farm, and others were hidden around Quarryville. St. Peters Creek, also known as Peters Creek, was used as a natural pathway to guide freedom seekers up from the river into Lancaster. It was used so often that it became known as the Pilgrim's Pathway.
Jonathan Jessop
Jonathan Jessop, known as a clockmaker and creator of the York Imperial Apple, was also an important member of the Underground Railroad in the York area. Jessop lived south of York on a sizeable apple orchard and had several business enterprises, which today is the site of the Apple Hill Medical Center. Together with Samuel Willis and Amos Griest, the trio had their own small network to move freedom seekers through the town of York. His son James and grandson Edward Chalfant frequently distributed anti-slavery literature in the area and would help Jonathan feed freedom seekers. James would then hide them in his carriage and take them north to Griest’s property. Jessop also kept correspondence with conductors further south who would send him carefully worded letters informing him to expect freedom seekers they sent in his direction.
York
York was the most important crossroads in the county for both freedom seekers and slave hunters. Here freedom seekers could either head north toward the crossings near Harrisburg or east for the bridge crossing at Wrightsville. It was well known how popular a junction York was for freedom seekers, and so slave masters and their slave catchers were a common sight. Thankfully York was also home to several conductors and sympathetic organizations. Members of the Friends congregation such as Amos Griest, Samuel Willis, and Joel Fisher lived around York City and would often shelter and guide freedom seekers. But, the most prominent conductor in town was a businessman and freed slave named William C Goodridge. He used the rail cars he owned to send freedom seekers into Lancaster after hiding them in his home or business.
William Goodridge
William C. Goodridge was born a slave in 1806 in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was African American and his father was white. When he was six he was indentured to a tannery in York run by a Reverend Dunn, and part of his indenture stated that William was to be educated. In 1822 the tannery went out of business and Dunn granted Goodridge his freedom. From here, he was able to first work as a barber and then he opened his own barbershop. Over time, he began adding more and more enterprises to his building as his financial success grew. In 1827 he married his wife Evalina Wallace and together they had seven children, though two died prematurely. It was from this position of wealth that Goodridge was able to provide a highly unique and relatively safe method for transportation for freedom seekers. He also reportedly used his business on the northwest corner of Centre Square to conceal freedom seekers. Once Goodridge had freedom seekers in his care, he would conceal them on his private freight cars, known as the Reliance Line. These cars were reported to have hidden compartments to conceal freedom seekers, and his workers knew not to check the cargo too thoroughly. While we will never know how many people Goodridge helped escape, it’s not hard to imagine the number was probably sizeable given the means he had at his disposal.
The Goodridge House
William Goodridge’s home is a recognized site on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. His home at 125 East Philadelphia Street had a secret room hidden beneath his kitchen that was only discovered during renovations to the home in the 1900s. Freedom seekers would be sheltered here before being sent to Lancaster on his freight cars. If you would like to learn more about William Goodridge, please contact the Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum which operates his home as a museum.
Samuel Willis
Samuel “Kindly Friend” Willis was another important member of the Underground Railroad in the York City area. He lived alone on a scenic and secluded farm property in southern Manchester Township that he had inherited from his father. He was a member of the York Meeting congregation of Quakers, whose building still stands on West Philadelphia street just a block from the Codorus Creek. One of his primary partners was fellow congregation member Amos Griest and his wife Margaret who were from the prominent anti-slavery Garretson family of Newberry Township. Together with Jonathan Jessop, the trio aided freedom seekers moving through the town of York. Samuel would shelter freedom seekers on his property for a short time and then send them up the few miles north to Griest. Samuel’s home was used both as a hiding place and a headquarters for the group. The Willis House, still standing off of George Street and Willis Road, is a recognized site on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Hallam
The turnpike between York and Wrightsville is an important transportation link between York and Lancaster counties, and this was the same for commerce and freedom seekers. Groups as large as 40 walked along the turnpike toward Wrightsville at night. As such, there were several safehouses along this route. In East York the Elmwood Mansion has long been rumored to have been one such location. In Hallam the Buttonwood Tree House was another rumored location, along with the property of Abraham Hiestand. A tunnel was later found that ran underneath the limestone highway and connected his Valley Inn to the outbuildings and stables of his property, which were likely used to hide fugitives.
Jonathan Mifflin and Samuel Mifflin
Jonathan Mifflin was a Quaker and veteran of the American Revolution who was also a personal friend of the Marquis de Lafayette. He was also related to one of Pennsylvania's governors, Thomas Mifflin. Jonathan married Susanna Wright, the sister of William Wright, and so both families were linked by marriage and their activity in the Underground Railroad. Living in their stone house named Hybla, west of Wrightsville, the Mifflins coordinated their efforts with the Wrights to shelter freedom seekers and transport them over the river. Jonathan also employed the services of a free African American named Robert Loney as a raftsman. Robert would secretly transport them across the river at night to friendly agents in Columbia. In 1840 Jonathan died and his son Samuel inherited the Mifflin property and his network of local contacts which included Robert Loney, Mrs. Jane Wilson Kerr, and members of the Parnell and Woodward families. On one occasion Sam sheltered a trio of freedom seekers, a mother, her daughter and grandson in his home. While waiting for an opportune time to send them over the river, their owner was on a business trip in Philadelphia and boasting that her slaves would never run away. Meanwhile they were safely concealed within the Mifflin house and then escorted to freedom. An engineer by trade, Sam and his wife Elizabeth moved away in 1846 to build bridges in Maine and New York. Robert Loney continued to work as a raftsman and convey freedom seekers across the Susquehanna long after the Mifflins left York County.
Wrightsville
For freedom seekers arriving from either York or the southern part of the county, the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge represented the final barrier between freedom and slavery. Slave catchers knew this, however and would often wait for their targets by the bridge. Luckily for the many refugees, this area was home to a large network of conductors. The best known conductors were the Wright and Mifflin families, who for several decades had been guiding freedom seekers over the shores of the Susquehanna. Operating their own small networks of contacts and boatmen, the families were instrumental in escorting thousands of freedom seekers over the years.
Columbia
The imposing crossing was often mistaken as the border between the United States and Canada for freedom seekers. For those who successfully crossed the Susquehanna River, their joy was often too great to contain. In one instance a group of 26 freedom seekers dropped to their knees and cheered aloud in the belief they had finally reached freedom in Canada. Luckily a kind local warned the group that they were still a long way from safety and quickly escorted the group to the next safehouse. But crossing the river was still worth celebrating. The chances of being captured significantly dropped from here on out and, though Canada was many miles away, a freedom seeker could breathe a slight sigh of relief.
William Wright
William Wright was the grandson of the founder of Wright's Crossing (later Wrightsville) who lived in Columbia. As a Quaker he was anti-slavery and was described as "uncompromising in his hatred for slavery". William is credited with establishing a network of stations and safehouses spaced about 10 miles apart in the early 1820s. It wasn't long before more conductors joined Wright, and the foundation for what would be the Underground Railroad in York County was laid. Once freedom seekers were in his care, Wright would lead them 20 miles east to his in-laws Daniel and Hannah Gibbons who lived on a farm at Mill Creek near Bird-in-Hand. In 1846 he spearheaded efforts to have Pennsylvania take strong measures against federal slave catchers, and was the first to add his signature to a petition sent to the state government.
William Whipper
Around the time the Mifflins moved away in 1846, an African American businessman named William Whipper stepped up and devoted himself to both the Underground Railroad and advocating for the rights of free African Americans. He was a prominent businessman in Columbia, having stakes in the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad and other local business ventures. His home was on the east end of the Wrightsville-Columbia bridge, and so was excellently placed to watch the bridge for freedom seekers in need. Whipper would hide freedom seekers on his lumber railway cars and would send them on to Philadelphia. It is widely believed that Whipper and William Goodridge coordinated their efforts to send freedom seekers toward Philadelphia on their privately-owned railway cars. He would even send them on canal boats heading west where they would eventually reach Pittsburgh. Whipper was a strong proponent of sending freedom seekers to Canada, as he didn't believe they were truly safe in the United States with federal slave hunters. This was not a popular idea as local merchants wanted them to remain as a pool of labor, and even the freedom seekers themselves didn't want to leave what they saw as a peaceful and prosperous community. Whipper was well known as a conductor. His home was closely watched by slave hunters and on two occasions someone attempted to set a lumber yard he ran on fire to ruin his business.
Lewisberry
Lewisberry was an important stop for freedom seekers coming north from York, as well as from Adams and Cumberland counties who were traveling to Harrisburg. Founded by Revolutionary War Major Eli Lewis in 1798, Lewisberry grew to have a strong connection to the Quaker community. Lewis was a prominent abolitionist and a founding member of the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society. One of his sons was Doctor Webster Lewis, who helped to coordinate efforts with fellow abolitionists like William and Phebe Wright and their kinsman Joel Wierman in York Springs in northeastern Adams County. The town also hosted honest discussions about slavery and abolition. Because of this Lewisberry was a stronghold of the Underground Railroad. Farmers such as Joseph and Israel Garretson and other congregation members of the Redlands Meeting House were active conductors in the region.
Harrisburg
With freedom seekers coming from York, Adams, and Cumberland Counties, Harrisburg was probably the most important city in the region in relation to the Underground Railroad. And this wasn't just because it served as a major crossing point over the Susquehanna. As the state capital, policy made here determined how strictly the state enforced the recovery of runaway slaves, at least until the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. Key decisions were also made here regarding the pivotal Prigg vs. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case of 1842. The city also hosted numerous abolitionist and pro-slavery lectures and demonstrations in the years leading up to the Civil War.
Maryland Line (then known as New Market), MD
Free of major geographic obstacles the southern border with Maryland was very easy to cross, in theory. Because of this the area was heavily patrolled by bands of slave hunters who sought to prevent freedom seekers from entering Pennsylvania. If a freedom seeker was caught while still in a slave state the legal process was much simpler; otherwise slave hunters would have to get local authorities to sign off on their papers before being able to apprehend anyone. Luckily the region was also active with friendly conductors, the majority of whom were Quakers whose network extended into Virginia. Near the border with York County, it was the Shepherd family of Quakers who guided freedom seekers northward. Most frequently, the family would direct them north towards the home of fellow Quaker, apple nurseryman, and clockmaker Jonathan Jessop along the Baltimore Pike.
Shrewsbury, PA
Not far from the border with Maryland, Shrewsbury saw freedom seekers pass through its streets. John Lowe Jr., a wealthy farmer in the area, was fervently anti-slavery. He operated a camp in the woods that often hosted revivals for the Methodist Episcopal churches of the Mid-Atlantic region. One of his tenants was Samuel Berry and his family who were freed African Americans and well known conductors in the area.
Samuel and Mariam Berry
Samuel Berry worked for years to earn enough money to buy their freedom. Eventually his wife Mariam and their five children moved with him to a farm near Shrewsbury. His daughter Amanda later recalled that in all the years her parents acted as conductors on the Underground Railroad, Samuel only ever lost one person. Slave hunters had tricked a runaway into entering his home just before they arrived so they could catch Samuel in the act. They beat him and captured the slave when he jumped out of a 2nd floor window. Mariam was so upset by these events that when slave hunters appeared after that she would threaten and yell at them until they left, often apologizing for disturbing her. On one occasion she went down to New Market and told everyone there the names of the men who had bothered them the night before trying to find a fugitive slave. The townspeople cried “Shame!” to the men who then skulked away. After she walked right past one of their feared bloodhounds without the dog attacking her, nobody ever bothered the Berry family again. Samuel’s daughter Amanda Smith became a nationally known abolitionist.
Hanover
Not much farther from the Mason-Dixon line than Shrewsbury, many freedom seekers passed through Hanover on their way north, with others coming from neighboring Adams County. Because of its function as a crossroads Hanover was home to a known local slave catcher. William Otter, born in England, had been conscripted into the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He deserted early in the war and immigrated to the United States. Known as "Big Bill" for standing 6' 4" and weighing around 250 pounds, he was an imposing figure who was frequently called upon by slave masters to help catch runaway slaves.
Fawn Grove
Fawn Grove served as a crossroads for freedom seekers coming up from Maryland. Quakers who lived in this small farming community provided shelter and guidance. Members of the Bradley and Kyle families could either send refugees north to ferry crossings like those at Peach Bottom or take the longer journey to York. Peach Bottom was a direct trip, but heading to York could require several stops including at Airville, Brogue, Red Lion and Dallastown.
Peach Bottom
The Peach Bottom area had several active conductors who could assist freedom seekers across the river. Isaac Waters and farmer John Morrison would lead them to the river at night and lead them across the river into Drumore Township in Lancaster. Another conductor was a former slave named Henry W Grant who had been freed by his master at the age of 19 and married another freed slave and together they moved to Southern Lancaster. After their 12th child was born, Henry moved his family to Peach Bottom Township. Here he helped fellow African Americans on their way to freedom and held frequent meetings with fellow conductors in his home. The group included himself, Isaac Waters, Robert Fisher, Isaac Fields, Thomas Clarke, and another free African American Elijah "Lige" Starkey.
Drumore Township
Once freedom seekers had been shuttled across the river from Peach Bottom, several local conductors in Drumore Township helped them move deeper into Lancaster County. Joseph Smith, a Quaker, sheltered them in an underground area of his barn. John F. Russell also allowed former slaves to hide at his farm, and others were hidden around Quarryville. St. Peters Creek, also known as Peters Creek, was used as a natural pathway to guide freedom seekers up from the river into Lancaster. It was used so often that it became known as the Pilgrim's Pathway.
Jonathan Jessop
Jonathan Jessop, known as a clockmaker and creator of the York Imperial Apple, was also an important member of the Underground Railroad in the York area. Jessop lived south of York on a sizeable apple orchard and had several business enterprises, which today is the site of the Apple Hill Medical Center. Together with Samuel Willis and Amos Griest, the trio had their own small network to move freedom seekers through the town of York. His son James and grandson Edward Chalfant frequently distributed anti-slavery literature in the area and would help Jonathan feed freedom seekers. James would then hide them in his carriage and take them north to Griest’s property. Jessop also kept correspondence with conductors further south who would send him carefully worded letters informing him to expect freedom seekers they sent in his direction.
York
York was the most important crossroads in the county for both freedom seekers and slave hunters. Here freedom seekers could either head north toward the crossings near Harrisburg or east for the bridge crossing at Wrightsville. It was well known how popular a junction York was for freedom seekers, and so slave masters and their slave catchers were a common sight. Thankfully York was also home to several conductors and sympathetic organizations. Members of the Friends congregation such as Amos Griest, Samuel Willis, and Joel Fisher lived around York City and would often shelter and guide freedom seekers. But, the most prominent conductor in town was a businessman and freed slave named William C Goodridge. He used the rail cars he owned to send freedom seekers into Lancaster after hiding them in his home or business.
William Goodridge
William C. Goodridge was born a slave in 1806 in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was African American and his father was white. When he was six he was indentured to a tannery in York run by a Reverend Dunn, and part of his indenture stated that William was to be educated. In 1822 the tannery went out of business and Dunn granted Goodridge his freedom. From here, he was able to first work as a barber and then he opened his own barbershop. Over time, he began adding more and more enterprises to his building as his financial success grew. In 1827 he married his wife Evalina Wallace and together they had seven children, though two died prematurely. It was from this position of wealth that Goodridge was able to provide a highly unique and relatively safe method for transportation for freedom seekers. He also reportedly used his business on the northwest corner of Centre Square to conceal freedom seekers. Once Goodridge had freedom seekers in his care, he would conceal them on his private freight cars, known as the Reliance Line. These cars were reported to have hidden compartments to conceal freedom seekers, and his workers knew not to check the cargo too thoroughly. While we will never know how many people Goodridge helped escape, it’s not hard to imagine the number was probably sizeable given the means he had at his disposal.
The Goodridge House
William Goodridge’s home is a recognized site on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. His home at 125 East Philadelphia Street had a secret room hidden beneath his kitchen that was only discovered during renovations to the home in the 1900s. Freedom seekers would be sheltered here before being sent to Lancaster on his freight cars. If you would like to learn more about William Goodridge, please contact the Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum which operates his home as a museum.
Samuel Willis
Samuel “Kindly Friend” Willis was another important member of the Underground Railroad in the York City area. He lived alone on a scenic and secluded farm property in southern Manchester Township that he had inherited from his father. He was a member of the York Meeting congregation of Quakers, whose building still stands on West Philadelphia street just a block from the Codorus Creek. One of his primary partners was fellow congregation member Amos Griest and his wife Margaret who were from the prominent anti-slavery Garretson family of Newberry Township. Together with Jonathan Jessop, the trio aided freedom seekers moving through the town of York. Samuel would shelter freedom seekers on his property for a short time and then send them up the few miles north to Griest. Samuel’s home was used both as a hiding place and a headquarters for the group. The Willis House, still standing off of George Street and Willis Road, is a recognized site on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Hallam
The turnpike between York and Wrightsville is an important transportation link between York and Lancaster counties, and this was the same for commerce and freedom seekers. Groups as large as 40 walked along the turnpike toward Wrightsville at night. As such, there were several safehouses along this route. In East York the Elmwood Mansion has long been rumored to have been one such location. In Hallam the Buttonwood Tree House was another rumored location, along with the property of Abraham Hiestand. A tunnel was later found that ran underneath the limestone highway and connected his Valley Inn to the outbuildings and stables of his property, which were likely used to hide fugitives.
Jonathan Mifflin and Samuel Mifflin
Jonathan Mifflin was a Quaker and veteran of the American Revolution who was also a personal friend of the Marquis de Lafayette. He was also related to one of Pennsylvania's governors, Thomas Mifflin. Jonathan married Susanna Wright, the sister of William Wright, and so both families were linked by marriage and their activity in the Underground Railroad. Living in their stone house named Hybla, west of Wrightsville, the Mifflins coordinated their efforts with the Wrights to shelter freedom seekers and transport them over the river. Jonathan also employed the services of a free African American named Robert Loney as a raftsman. Robert would secretly transport them across the river at night to friendly agents in Columbia. In 1840 Jonathan died and his son Samuel inherited the Mifflin property and his network of local contacts which included Robert Loney, Mrs. Jane Wilson Kerr, and members of the Parnell and Woodward families. On one occasion Sam sheltered a trio of freedom seekers, a mother, her daughter and grandson in his home. While waiting for an opportune time to send them over the river, their owner was on a business trip in Philadelphia and boasting that her slaves would never run away. Meanwhile they were safely concealed within the Mifflin house and then escorted to freedom. An engineer by trade, Sam and his wife Elizabeth moved away in 1846 to build bridges in Maine and New York. Robert Loney continued to work as a raftsman and convey freedom seekers across the Susquehanna long after the Mifflins left York County.
Wrightsville
For freedom seekers arriving from either York or the southern part of the county, the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge represented the final barrier between freedom and slavery. Slave catchers knew this, however and would often wait for their targets by the bridge. Luckily for the many refugees, this area was home to a large network of conductors. The best known conductors were the Wright and Mifflin families, who for several decades had been guiding freedom seekers over the shores of the Susquehanna. Operating their own small networks of contacts and boatmen, the families were instrumental in escorting thousands of freedom seekers over the years.
Columbia
The imposing crossing was often mistaken as the border between the United States and Canada for freedom seekers. For those who successfully crossed the Susquehanna River, their joy was often too great to contain. In one instance a group of 26 freedom seekers dropped to their knees and cheered aloud in the belief they had finally reached freedom in Canada. Luckily a kind local warned the group that they were still a long way from safety and quickly escorted the group to the next safehouse. But crossing the river was still worth celebrating. The chances of being captured significantly dropped from here on out and, though Canada was many miles away, a freedom seeker could breathe a slight sigh of relief.
William Wright
William Wright was the grandson of the founder of Wright's Crossing (later Wrightsville) who lived in Columbia. As a Quaker he was anti-slavery and was described as "uncompromising in his hatred for slavery". William is credited with establishing a network of stations and safehouses spaced about 10 miles apart in the early 1820s. It wasn't long before more conductors joined Wright, and the foundation for what would be the Underground Railroad in York County was laid. Once freedom seekers were in his care, Wright would lead them 20 miles east to his in-laws Daniel and Hannah Gibbons who lived on a farm at Mill Creek near Bird-in-Hand. In 1846 he spearheaded efforts to have Pennsylvania take strong measures against federal slave catchers, and was the first to add his signature to a petition sent to the state government.
William Whipper
Around the time the Mifflins moved away in 1846, an African American businessman named William Whipper stepped up and devoted himself to both the Underground Railroad and advocating for the rights of free African Americans. He was a prominent businessman in Columbia, having stakes in the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad and other local business ventures. His home was on the east end of the Wrightsville-Columbia bridge, and so was excellently placed to watch the bridge for freedom seekers in need. Whipper would hide freedom seekers on his lumber railway cars and would send them on to Philadelphia. It is widely believed that Whipper and William Goodridge coordinated their efforts to send freedom seekers toward Philadelphia on their privately-owned railway cars. He would even send them on canal boats heading west where they would eventually reach Pittsburgh. Whipper was a strong proponent of sending freedom seekers to Canada, as he didn't believe they were truly safe in the United States with federal slave hunters. This was not a popular idea as local merchants wanted them to remain as a pool of labor, and even the freedom seekers themselves didn't want to leave what they saw as a peaceful and prosperous community. Whipper was well known as a conductor. His home was closely watched by slave hunters and on two occasions someone attempted to set a lumber yard he ran on fire to ruin his business.
Lewisberry
Lewisberry was an important stop for freedom seekers coming north from York, as well as from Adams and Cumberland counties who were traveling to Harrisburg. Founded by Revolutionary War Major Eli Lewis in 1798, Lewisberry grew to have a strong connection to the Quaker community. Lewis was a prominent abolitionist and a founding member of the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society. One of his sons was Doctor Webster Lewis, who helped to coordinate efforts with fellow abolitionists like William and Phebe Wright and their kinsman Joel Wierman in York Springs in northeastern Adams County. The town also hosted honest discussions about slavery and abolition. Because of this Lewisberry was a stronghold of the Underground Railroad. Farmers such as Joseph and Israel Garretson and other congregation members of the Redlands Meeting House were active conductors in the region.
Harrisburg
With freedom seekers coming from York, Adams, and Cumberland Counties, Harrisburg was probably the most important city in the region in relation to the Underground Railroad. And this wasn't just because it served as a major crossing point over the Susquehanna. As the state capital, policy made here determined how strictly the state enforced the recovery of runaway slaves, at least until the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. Key decisions were also made here regarding the pivotal Prigg vs. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case of 1842. The city also hosted numerous abolitionist and pro-slavery lectures and demonstrations in the years leading up to the Civil War.
York Countians and the Underground Railroad
Understanding how York Countians viewed and influenced the Underground Railroad requires knowing the relationship between York County and slavery. One factor that could determine your attitude toward slavery and the UGRR was where you lived. Northern York County was more dependent on trade with cities like Harrisburg and Philadelphia, which economically tied the region to the free North. This meant that people living in this region were more likely to be critical of slavery or participate in the Underground Railroad. But the southern part of the county was closer to Baltimore and northern Maryland, which was a slave state. Large Conestoga wagon caravans and barges headed down the Susquehanna and Tidewater canal tied southern York County to the slave-owning South, and therefore the people who lived in this region were economically linked to slavery without actually owning slaves. While conductors still lived and operated in the area, it shows why people in this region may not have wanted to help freedom seekers or could have tried to stop them.
Religion was also an important element in how people viewed slavery and the Underground Railroad. Many Quakers, some Methodists, and other denominations strongly believed slavery was a sin and against the will of God. A religious movement beginning in the early 1800s known as the Second Great Awakening helped to fuel sentiments of anti-slavery in Christians, particularly those in New England. This movement centered around new morals for Protestants, especially that all men are created equal in the eyes of God. We can see these religious motivations in York County as many of the early conductors were Quakers. But other Christians defended slavery as being perfectly acceptable. Their arguments generally stated that either the institution of slavery in general was permitted according to the Bible, or that enslavement enabled Africans to be converted and 'civilized' in a Western society. One popular verse used by these Christians comes from the book of Ephesians Chapter 6, verse 5: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ".
William Wagner painting of York
Another factor that dissuaded many York Countians from participating in the regional Underground Railroad networks was that doing so was illegal. Freedom seekers were fugitives from federal law and helping them flee could have serious repercussions for conductors. Both jail time and heavy financial penalties were used. At least one known conductor who was caught was forced to sell his farm to pay the fine. With the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 the situation was made even more dangerous for conductors, and we see a noticeable drop in the number of known conductors. This doesn't mean they weren't active, just that they had to become even more secretive to avoid detection or curtail their efforts. These threats were enough to dissuade many Yorkers who may have been sympathetic to the plight of freedom seekers, but could not afford the penalties if they were caught.
A combination of political sentiment, economic livelihood, and a fear of legal penalty meant that the average York Countian did not engage in the Underground Railroad. This is why people who were known to be conductors should be remembered and admired. Their selflessness and willingness to risk punishment by the law and reprisals from angry slave owners meant that countless thousands of African Americans were given critical help on their quests for freedom.
Sketch by local artist Lewis Miller of the Wrightsville-Columbia covered bridge.
Prigg v. Pennsylvania
Between 1837 and 1842, a series of events transpired that placed York County at the center of the national debate over slavery, states rights, and abolition. In the early 1800's Margaret "Peg" Morgan was born near Dublin, Maryland as a slave on the property of her owner John Ashmore. Mr. Ashmore had talked about freeing his 10 slaves before he died, but he only formally submitted the paperwork for 6 of them, and Margaret was not among them. When Mr. Ashmore died, his estate did not list Margaret as part of his property and his wife who inherited the estate, also named Margaret, confirmed that the inventory was "true and perfect of all goods and chattel". Margaret married Jerry Morgan in the 1820s and together lived in their own home. Margaret was listed as free in the 1830 census. By this time Ashmore's estate was in the hands of his daughter Susanna and her husband Nathan Bemis. Because her father had never filed formal paperwork freeing Margaret, Nathan and Susanna believed she was still their property and Nathan wished to sell Margaret. The Morgan family fled to Lower Chanceford Township in 1831 when they learned about Nathan's plans. Nathan Bemis would not give up so easily, however.
From The Age and Lancaster Weekly Gazette, Tuesday, March 15th, 1842.
In 1837 Nathan finally learned that the Morgan family was living in York County. He hired one of his neighbors, Edward Prigg, and 2 other men to help him recover Margaret and her children. The party received the legal paperwork to capture everyone except for Jerry. On the night of April 1st, their party ventured north and quickly captured the entire family including Jerry. But as they had no authority to keep him, Jerry was released back to his empty home as the men fled back to Maryland while local activists attempted to intercept them after learning about what was happening. Jerry immediately appealed the case to Pennsylvania's staunch anti-slavery governor, Joseph Ritner. This began an escalating legal battle as Pennsylvania sought to convict Prigg and his party of kidnapping free Pennsylvanians in violation of the state's personal liberties law of 1826. This law gave protections for free African Americans to prevent them from being wrongfully kidnapped and brought back into slavery. Maryland sought to retain Margaret and her children and claimed that Pennsylvania's personal liberty law violated the federal Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and was therefore unconstitutional, which meant Maryland didn't need to obey it. The initial court ruling in York was a guilty verdict which was later upheld by a higher Pennsylvania court. But both states knew that only the Supreme Court could truly resolve the constitutional issues that had been raised. And in 1842, 5 years after the kidnapping, both states would finally have the chance to plead their case.
This was the first case in which an attorney from York was active on a Supreme Court case. In an 8 to 1 ruling, the court found that Pennsylvania violated the Supremacy clause for a state law that violated a federal one. However, in their ruling the court disallowed many of the provisions of the 1793 law, which meant that states could pass new laws that forbade state authorities from helping federal authorities to recapture fugitive slaves. As Chief Justice Roger Taney foresaw, this ruling opened the way for a period of relative ease for freedom seekers to flee north, as local law enforcement would be unable or unwilling to help the small number of federal marshals assigned to return fugitive slaves. This national focus made York County a hotbed for pro and anti-slavery forces. Abolitionist C.C. Burleigh gave a fiery lecture in York's courthouse that almost sparked a riot between his attendees and those protesting his remarks.
The people involved in this drama had already been forgotten about. Edward Prigg died on his 100 acre property in 1853. As for the Morgans, Jerry would never be reunited with his family. Frustrated with the slow process of the law he traveled to Maryland in 1837 and assaulted one of the kidnappers with a loaded gun and fled. On a ferry trip to Columbia he was seized by passengers in a misunderstanding after believing he had stolen a jacket. Thinking the passengers were going to kidnap him just like his family had been, he tried to jump onto the pier and escape. But Jerry quickly lost his balance and fell into the river, where he drowned. It is likely Margaret never learned what happened to her husband. There is evidence that she remained in Cecil County, Maryland until the 1870s, or she may have been sent into the Deep South in the 1850s. The sad truth is that tales like the Morgans were all too frequent during this period of our history. We will never know how many people escaped slavery, and we will never know how many failed to do so. But for the courageous few who did everything they could to help their fellow Americans seek a brighter future, they deserve considerable thanks.
Drawing of Wright's Ferry and the Susquehanna River
The York County History Center would like to give special thanks to author and historian Scott L. Mingus. His book The Ground Swallowed Them Up served as a primary source for this story map and holds a rich trove of history on the Underground Railroad in York County. For anyone who would like to learn more about the Underground Railroad please visit our online store at this link to purchase a copy .
