Michigan has quite a history in connection with helping slaves escape using the underground railroad. In 1837, when Michigan became a state in the union, Kalamazoo started its first antislavery society. In the years following this, books and newspaper started being published with antislavery sentiments. These included the American Freeman (newspaper in Jackson), the Signal of Liberty (newspaper in Ann Arbor), and American Liberties and American Slavery Morally and Politically Illustrated (book by Seymour Treadwell).
Many stories of brave individuals that sought freedom, or assisted in helping escaped slaves, are found on the State of Michigan website. In Cass County, there was a refuge called Young’s Prairie. This was formed by Quakers to help slaves escape.
One story is about Robert Cromwell, who was an escaped slave in 1840 from Arkansas. Some abolitionists in Indiana taught him to read. He then moved to Detroit. He then moved to Flint where he opened a barbershop. He wanted to help his sister, so he wrote and letter to his master (John Dunn) saying he was in Montreal and doing well as a barber. He said if the master would send his sister, he would pay him $100. Unfortunately, the letter was postmarked in Flint. So Dunn made his way to Flint to recapture Cromwell. Dunn found an ad of the barber shop in a Flint paper that said it was located right next to the hotel…just like Cromwell’s letter stated. He was tricked to come to the courthouse where Dunn latched onto him. Quite a scuffle broke out, and the Irish and African American supporters of Cromwell came to his aid. After he escaped, they moved him to Canada.
On the website, there are lessons, letters, transcripts, time lines and other information to help us understand more about the time in history. I encourage you to review the website and be inspired by these courageous individuals that have helped so many to freedom.
Photo of Underground Railroad courtesy of www.michigan.gov
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Northern states like Michigan should honor the antislavery efforts of their forbears. Your article reminds us many African American families experienced slavery fewer than three generations ago.
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