African Americans of the Kentucky Borderlands

Items

• 1854--Thirteen Escape From Covington
  "FREIGHT ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: Since our last report we have received at this depot 21 persons, all within the last ten days. First can two men from Missouri then thirteen from Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky, five of whom escaped from the Mayor of that city; then came four from Kentucky; then two more up to this date. The Christmas holidays will bring us another fine lot."
• 1854--Sixteen Freedom Seekers Reach Canada
  “UNDERGROUND – MORE ARRIVALS – Monday morning, shortly after daylight, sixteen “chattels” – three men and five women, and eight children – passed down the avenue and over the ferry, becoming subjects of the British Crown, and renouncing their claim to protection under the “glorious stars and stripes.” Republicanism, as far as they are concerned, they pronounce a decided failure – the greatest humbug of the times. These all came from Covington, Kentucky.”
• 1856--Nine Slaves Escape From Kenton County
  Six enslaved people belonging to Levi Dougherty, (who lived on 4th street, in Covington, Ky., between Madison and Russell) and three enslaved people belonging to Mr. Gage (probably William H. Gedge), of the same neighborhood, escaped. They left on Sunday, 27 Jan, 1856. The value of enslaved totalled $8,000.
• 1857--Six Slaves Escape Across Frozen River
  Six enslaved persons escape Mr. Ransom of Covington, who was considered a “good” slaveholder. They crossed the river when it was frozen.
• 1856--Mass Escape of Fourteen Freedom Seekers
  Fourteen enslaved people escaped from Kenton County, and twelve from Maysville.
• 1863--UGRR Agent Accused
  Enslaved Underground Railroad agent “Dennis” and white man John Weaver were accused of helping 7 enslaved people escape from the Enoch Weaver farm in Independence, all were caught. Dennis was released, Weaver was held.
• 1857--Three Slaves Attempt Escape
  An unnamed freedom seeker (under slaveholder William Sandford) was one of three men who had attempted escape from Carroll County. This man had been caught at Lochry Creek in Dearborn County, Indiana. One man, referred to as “Berry’s boy” had been shot and killed at Vevay Indiana during the chase. Another man was sold by slaveholder, William Sandford, after being caught.”
• 1858--Two Freedom Seekers Return, Are Caught
  Two enslaved from Dover escaped to Canada on March 5, 1858. Their slaveholder was Robert M. Ingram. They returned to Cincinnati to help more freedom seekers to escape and were caught.
• 1857--Angela and Irwin Broadus Captured
  Angela and Irwin Broadus, to be sold by slaveholder Col. Withers, escaped on June 10, 1857 to Cincinnati. They had hidden in room No.18 in Taft’s Building on Vine above 4th. The room was occupied by W. A. Conolly, editor of the Cincinnati Daily Commercial. Marshalls arrived, one marshal was stabbed, Irwin was shot, and both were captured on the 17th June, 1857. Connoly slipped away.
• 1865--Tom Accused of Assisting a Freedom Seeker
  Letter from Leonard Stephens, Beech Woods, Kenton County, KY dated October 22, 1865: “Tom,” an enslaved man of Leonard Stephens, is accused by Dr. Blanton (Union, KY) of helping a male freedom seeker escape (from Blanton’s farm). Blanton came and searched the cabins of the enslaved people at Stephens’ farm and did not find the missing man. Tom was highly offended, and left for Covington, as he would “live no where that his house was allowed to be searched.” He returned two weeks later, but it is unclear if he stayed. There was concern on Tom’s part that he was in danger because of the accusation, and Stephens seemed to think the evidence indicated he was indeed involved.
• 1858--Walker Family Escape
  Edward Walker, his brother, sister-in-law and their baby escaped to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. They had been owned by the Neson family (Hayden, then Thomas, Hayden’s son). Other family members had escaped earlier.
• 1846--Reward Ad For 2 Freedom Seekers
  In January 1846 a $400 Reward ad was placed by slaveholder George R. Kenner of Covington seeking two men: Jim, 24 yrs old, 6′ tall, light-skinned, and William, a house servant and coachman, described as being a very light mulatto, 5’6″, slender, and 30 yrs of age.
• 1853--Five Slaves Escape B.W. Foley in Covington
  Five enslaved people escaped Covington. Slaveholder was B. W. Foley.
• 1856--Sidney Family Escape
  The escape of the family of Allen Sidney, enslaved man from MS, then TN, worked on riverboat owned by his slaveholder. Assisted bythe abolitionist Tom Dorm, Sidney helped to free his wife, Sarah (whom he met and married in KY), and their three children. One of the children (“Riller”) was to be sold for debts. Wilber Siebert Collection. Ohio, Hamilton County.
• 1856--Nine Slaves Escape From Near Covington
  Nine enslaved people from “near Covington” escaped. No slaveholder was named, but he was to move away to Chicago, and needed to sell them to pay for debts.
• 1855--Family Escape
  In Edward Walker’s interview (see the 1858 escape), he mentions an escape from a plantation near the Hayden farm in Kenton County. Edward’s uncle, his wife and their children (names unknown) are involved in the attempt.
• n.d.--Tom Escapes
  Tom is listed as member of Dry Creek Baptist Church. The church book II, states, with no date given, that he is "gone," noted as indication that Tom self-emancipated.
• n.d.--Peter Escapes
  Peter is listed as a member of Dry Creek Baptist Church. The church book II states with no date given that he is "gone," noted as indication that Peter self-emancipated.
• 1856--Jane Wayne and Children Escape
  The narrative of Jane Wayne of Amherstburg, Ontario, dated circa 1894: Her first slaveholder was John Hester. She was sold to Tom Porter at 12 years old (also in Flemingsburg). Porter moved to Covington, KY, and took "all nine of us" with him. Fearing the breakup of her family, she and her three children, with the help of the Cincinnati conductor Bob Russell and two unnamed men, escaped enslavement on a Sunday in November “the year Fremont ran” (referring to the 1856 Presidential candidate John C. Fremont.) They settled in Amherstburg, Essex, Ontario. The eldest daughter married Henry H. Young.
• 1849--Henry Young Escapes
  Henry H. Young was born on November 25, 1835 in Mason County, Ky, and was owned by the slaveholder Mary Green. He moved to Covington, Ky and escaped to Cincinnati in August 1849 at the age of 14 yrs. Meandering his path to freedom, he moved through the UGRR in Ohio and Indiana, living in several communities along the way, eventually he went to Canada. He mentioned that his mother was left behind, possibly with the Green family.
• n.d.--Gerry Escapes
  Gerry is listed as member of Dry Creek Baptist Church. The church book II, no date given states that he is "gone," noted as indication that Gerry self-emancipated.
• n.d.--Eliza Escapes
  Eliza is listed as member of Dry Creek Baptist Church. The church book II, no date given states that she is "gone," noted as an indication that Eliza self-emancipated.