An Index to African-American History becoming a reality in Saratoga County

June 18, 1:16 AMAlbany Genealogy ExaminerMeri Rees

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   Jane Meader Nye shows part of her project at the Historian's Office

During my visit with Jane Meader Nye, volunteer in the Saratoga County Historian’s Office, I was able to see her current project--an Index to African-American History.

“It all started with the abolitionists, many of whom have not been identified before”, she said.  As clerk of The Religious Society of Friends, Quaker Springs, Tom Calarco contacted her for help in writing his book, “The Underground Railroad in the Adirondack Region”.  In doing so, she realized that she could not separate the abolitionists from the African-American slaves they were advocating for. It also dawned on her that there are few books written on the histories and genealogies of African-Americans, particularly those who lived or passed through the Saratoga County area. Jane was then determined to change all of that. Armed with computers, she and historian Kristina Saddlemire printed out everything they could locate on the subject. They soon found that the information was staggering and would be overwhelming to most researchers, so she set out to create an index of the materials.

Enter: me. This is how I found Jane— sorting the pile of records that are waiting to be indexed and organized into subject books. Her notebook, Index to African-American History, organizes every name of an abolitionist or African-American name alphabetically and provides references to find the corresponding article(s) that she has compiled.

One of the compilations on-hand is simply titled, Frederick Douglass. The former slave, turned anti-slavery advocate, has a history with Saratoga County. Born in Maryland in 1818, Frederick was named Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. His mother, Harriet Bailey, rarely saw him as she was hired out to a neighboring plantation. The twelve-mile journey was too far to travel on a regular basis, and she was not permitted to have him with her. So little Frederick lived with his grandparents until he was six— at which time, he went to another plantation until he was eight years old. Then, he was sent to the home of Hugh and Sophia Auld. Sophia started teaching Frederick to read but was forbidden to continue teaching him after her husband found out. Hugh explained, "if you teach that nig(g)er how to read, there would be no keeping him", and he would "become unmanageable, and of no value to his master." It was a defining moment for Frederick as he realized the key to becoming his own master but, he still had to endure many years of slavery, including a few years of abuse, before he would become a free man.

Dressed as a sailor and armed with a friend’s identification papers, Frederick escaped to New York and changed his name to Frederick Douglass to protect his identity. After hearing William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery speech, Frederick decided to tell his own story. At the age of 23, he spoke at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society annual convention about his experience as a slave. His speech was from the heart, well received and powerful. Garrison encouraged him to continue speaking—and speaking he did!

Fast-forwarding a few years we find a Daniel Meader, ancestor of Jane Meader Nye, living in Schuylerville. Daniel was most certainly an abolitionist supporting the anti-slavery movement. Through familial connections, Daniel was probably one of those instrumental in bringing Frederick Douglass to the Schuylerville area. Douglass spent three days in the area, speaking in the Village proper, at the Quaker Springs Meetinghouse and in Dean’s Corners.

Later, in his paper, The North Star, Frederick states, “I had a quiet and undisturbed meeting [Schuylerville], and circulated a number of my Narratives, which may pave the way for anti-slavery effort in that place.” In Quaker Springs, at the Friends Meeting House, Mr. Douglass said that he “addressed a large audience who listened with attention during the space of two hours.” Along with Frederick Douglass, it is noted that many abolitionists were influential in recruiting individuals to provide “safe homes” along the Underground Railroad route, ensuring runaway slaves a passage to freedom.

Once completed, Ms. Nye’s efforts will be a great resource and researching tool for anyone trying to locate information and histories of their slave ancestors.

For now, these records are only accessible in the County Historian’s office, located at 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Their office hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10-3, Friday 10-2 and any other time you can catch someone there. Call ahead (518-884-4749) to be sure.