The Abolitionists

I actually don't have any ancestors in my direct line who are listed in the history books among the Bedford County abolitionists, but my ancestors were immediate family members and associates of those who aided the underground railroad.  I can't help but highlight the efforts of the Bedford County residents in this noble and selfless cause.

The Underground Railroad was a clandestine network of routes and safe houses ferrying escaped slaves from the South to Canada.  It began operating in Bedford County in 1835.  Bedford County was directly north of the Mason-Dixon line, so escaped slaves who would take the route through Bedford County would find themselves in free territory as soon as they crossed the border into Pennsylvania.  Once fugatives left the vicinity of the borough of Bedford the most popular route to follow took them through the Quaker community of Fishertown.

According to the history books, among the Fishertown residents providing assistance to runaway slaves was Nathan Hammond, more than likely the son or grandson on my 5th great-grandfather Nathan Hammond.  His son, Nathan, died in 1860 and was probably too old to be involved with the abolitionists.  He had more than one grandson named Nathan, so without a ton of research I don't know for sure which Nathan it would be.  According to the 1861 map, a N. Hammond estate was located atop a large hill accessed by what is now called Hammond Hill Road leading northeast from Fishertown.

When we visited there the expansive views were spectacular.

A plaque at the Quaker Burial Ground near Fishertown pays tribute to those who assisted the effort to help escaped slaves secure their freedom.

From Fishertown, runaways were often directed to Pleasantville (Alum Bank), assisted sometimes by George Harbaugh, brother of my 3rd great-grandfather, Jonah Harbaugh, to the home of Benjamin Walker where they would receive aid to travel further north.

Many others residents and land owners assisted and played vital roles in assisting the Underground Railroad in Bedford County, and several stories were preserved and retold.  Not everyone, though, shared in the great cause.  A story is told of two men, each from prominent families - the Mocks and the Crissmans - who sought only for their own personal gain:

"It was a short time prior to the Civil War when two slaves found their way into the so-called Quaker settlement, with the evident hope of procuring assistance in their journey northward. Somewhere in the vicinity named they met two men by name of Mock and Crissman, who, it seems, knew of a reward being offered for the capture of a certain two slaves, and who, under the pretense of being friendly to their interests, induced the negroes to be locked-up in an old school-house nearby, while arrangements would be made for their conveyance to some northward station. The captors at once went to Bedford and got into communication with their master, who promptly came on, identified his property, paid the prize money and returned home with his possession of human souls.

"This was one of the few instances, if not the only one, of like character which occurred in the neighborhood of the underground railway people of this section.

"To the sore disappointment of the poor slaves, we can well imagine, there would be added the oppression and vengeance of a tyrannical master when back on the old plantation.  On the other hand, to the treachery and deception of the captors there was added the contempt and reproach of every good citizen in which they lived. Neither of them prospered after this event. Mr. Mock soon afterward came to an untimely death by being shot at Alum Bank while attempting to escape from the custody of a squad of soldiers who had been detailed to preserve order at an election at St. Clair township, and who had him under arrest for disturbing the peace. Numerous afflictions and misfortunes followed Mr. Crissman during the several years which he lived afterward, and whilst he, no doubt, regretted his conduct and would have undone the deed if such were possible, he never regained the confidence or respect of the people." (History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, pgs. 381-382)

The account also indicates that the school-house in which the escaped slaves were imprisoned was located on the road leading from Osterburg about one-half mile from Alum Bank on the Rinninger farm.  That would be the exact location of the farm which was then occupied by the son of my 5th great-grandfather, George Reininger.  There is no indication whatsoever that any member of the Reininger family benefited or assisted in any way in the imprisonment of the two runaway slaves.

Old Schoolhouse near Alum Bank, Where Two Runaway Slaves Were
Penned Up and Held for Ransom

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All original content, images, commentary, etc. copyright © by Joy Denison 2015-2016.  All rights reserved. All writings, poems, speeches, essays, images, scans, likenesses, etc. by Adam Ickes (b 1845) as well as personal histories, images, and all other content by all persons referenced and discussed within the pages and posts in this blog may not be copied, shared, or reproduced in any way without expressed permission by the owner unless included here from other referenced sources or are historical records already considered to be in the public domain.