The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad (UGRR) is a fascinating part of
American history. The UGRR was not a real railroad, but rather a
network of people-black, white, and American Indian-who helped
people escaping from slavery. It was risky for all parties involved,
but the greatest risk was taken by the brave persons fleeing slavery,
also known as freedom seekers.
In the North, it was relatively safe for people seeking freedom from
slavery, until the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act was passed. The law said
anyone helping someone escape slavery could be fined $1000
(a huge sum of money in 1850) and/or could be put in jail for six
months. This law was passed to stop the UGRR movement, but it
only increased people’s resolve to end slavery.
In Illinois a number of homes were linked to one another as safe
havens for people trying to escape the brutality of slavery. After 1850
the safer destination became Canada, and people escaping
slavery through Illinois often headed toward Chicago to catch the
boats northbound. Other people went around Lake Michigan to
Detroit to catch boats there. Still others escaped through
Wisconsin. Most people escaping slavery through Illinois came
from Missouri, a slave state, while others came through the free
state, Iowa.
Israel and Avis Blodgett helped people who were escaping slavery
at their cabin, near Paw Paw, IL and at their cabin and 1846 house
in Downers Grove, IL. Also their son, Henry, when living as an adult
in Waukegan (a Potawatomi word translating to fort), was most
likely part of the UGRR. The following is just one story we know
about the Blodgett family and the UGRR. It is written by Cora
Blodgett, the grand daughter.
“They (Israel and Avis Blodgett and family) were always helping
groups from three to fourteen to get to Chicago. They could travel for
hundreds of miles through the country in comparative safety, but the
City was full of danger, and the masters would arrive first and have
every avenue watched and they were arrested sometimes within an
hour after their arrival in the City. The station Grandfather usually
sent them to was Philo Carpenter’s, a home in the center of a
square bounded by Washington, Randolph, Sangamon & Morgan
streets, well surrounded by shade trees that afforded a great
protection. A load of hay or corn that would secrete (hide) five, six or
seven people would be ordered into his barn. Sometimes a lynch
pin would be drawn or a wheel come off, to make an excuse for
leaving it in the middle of the street until the wagon could be safely
driven in. Sometimes they would be ordered to a south-side station.
Grandfather’s (Israel) responsibility ended there…”
Understanding this time period can give us both an appreciation for
the strides made in today’s world and the interconnectedness of
history. The UGRR is seeing a revival of research and interest. We
will continue our research, so check back for more!
The Underground Railroad (UGRR) is a fascinating part of
American history. The UGRR was not a real railroad, but rather a
network of people-black, white, and American Indian-who helped
people escaping from slavery. It was risky for all parties involved,
but the greatest risk was taken by the brave persons fleeing slavery,
also known as freedom seekers.
In the North, it was relatively safe for people seeking freedom from
slavery, until the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act was passed. The law said
anyone helping someone escape slavery could be fined $1000
(a huge sum of money in 1850) and/or could be put in jail for six
months. This law was passed to stop the UGRR movement, but it
only increased people’s resolve to end slavery.
In Illinois a number of homes were linked to one another as safe
havens for people trying to escape the brutality of slavery. After 1850
the safer destination became Canada, and people escaping
slavery through Illinois often headed toward Chicago to catch the
boats northbound. Other people went around Lake Michigan to
Detroit to catch boats there. Still others escaped through
Wisconsin. Most people escaping slavery through Illinois came
from Missouri, a slave state, while others came through the free
state, Iowa.
Israel and Avis Blodgett helped people who were escaping slavery
at their cabin, near Paw Paw, IL and at their cabin and 1846 house
in Downers Grove, IL. Also their son, Henry, when living as an adult
in Waukegan (a Potawatomi word translating to fort), was most
likely part of the UGRR. The following is just one story we know
about the Blodgett family and the UGRR. It is written by Cora
Blodgett, the grand daughter.
“They (Israel and Avis Blodgett and family) were always helping
groups from three to fourteen to get to Chicago. They could travel for
hundreds of miles through the country in comparative safety, but the
City was full of danger, and the masters would arrive first and have
every avenue watched and they were arrested sometimes within an
hour after their arrival in the City. The station Grandfather usually
sent them to was Philo Carpenter’s, a home in the center of a
square bounded by Washington, Randolph, Sangamon & Morgan
streets, well surrounded by shade trees that afforded a great
protection. A load of hay or corn that would secrete (hide) five, six or
seven people would be ordered into his barn. Sometimes a lynch
pin would be drawn or a wheel come off, to make an excuse for
leaving it in the middle of the street until the wagon could be safely
driven in. Sometimes they would be ordered to a south-side station.
Grandfather’s (Israel) responsibility ended there…”
Understanding this time period can give us both an appreciation for
the strides made in today’s world and the interconnectedness of
history. The UGRR is seeing a revival of research and interest. We
will continue our research, so check back for more!
Glennette Tilley Turner
We wish to acknowledge
Glennette Tilley Turner for her
thirty years of pioneering
research and for her book, The
Underground Railroad in Illinois.
When she first heard the UGRR
went through DuPage County
she did not believe it, but in
uncovering detail after detail she
has become a state expert on the
Illinois UGRR. Connect to her
site at www.ugrr-illinois.com.
Glennette is the author of
books for adults and children.
Her most recent book, An Apple
for Harriet Tubman, educates
children and adults about the
wrongs of slavery and about the
courage of one woman to make a
difference.
Glennette Tilley Turner is a
model for many girl, women, and
men in her pioneering research
and writing. She has been a
source of encouragement for
writers in our group and has
been a friend who shares the
good will of the positives of racial
integration and understanding.
Slavery and Women
Incidents in the Life of a Slave
Girl, a book now read on many
college campuses, was the first
published narrative by a woman
who was a slave. Printed in 1861,
it is a very moving autobiography
which tells of the harm caused by
slavery and gives a first hand
account which helps the adult
reader to better understand the
horrors of slavery and to
empathize with people who
suffered because of it.
We wish to acknowledge
Glennette Tilley Turner for her
thirty years of pioneering
research and for her book, The
Underground Railroad in Illinois.
When she first heard the UGRR
went through DuPage County
she did not believe it, but in
uncovering detail after detail she
has become a state expert on the
Illinois UGRR. Connect to her
site at www.ugrr-illinois.com.
Glennette is the author of
books for adults and children.
Her most recent book, An Apple
for Harriet Tubman, educates
children and adults about the
wrongs of slavery and about the
courage of one woman to make a
difference.
Glennette Tilley Turner is a
model for many girl, women, and
men in her pioneering research
and writing. She has been a
source of encouragement for
writers in our group and has
been a friend who shares the
good will of the positives of racial
integration and understanding.
Slavery and Women
Incidents in the Life of a Slave
Girl, a book now read on many
college campuses, was the first
published narrative by a woman
who was a slave. Printed in 1861,
it is a very moving autobiography
which tells of the harm caused by
slavery and gives a first hand
account which helps the adult
reader to better understand the
horrors of slavery and to
empathize with people who
suffered because of it.
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| Quilts & the Underground Railroad There is controversy whether quilts were used as a secret communication during the UGRR movement. Many feel there is credibility to the oral history regarding quilts. Whatever the viewpoint, we thought it would be meaningful to have a quilt made that symbolized the UGRR. We were fortunate to have a quilt, hand made and donated by The Quilt Basket in Downers Grove. The quilt is available for borrowing. Please email us with your request as we wish to share this donation quilt as a learning tool. (see supporters) |
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