The+UGRR+in+Hancock+County

Original Author: Jeff Ash, ENG299 FL10 Revision Author:
 * The UGRR in Hancock County **

The Underground Railroad (UGRR) refers to the intricate network set up throughout North America in an effort to help persons held in bondage escape from slavery. The efforts of the individuals involved were not held to specific criteria and were sometimes spontaneous, but they were also often highly organized. These efforts were groundbreaking in that it was a common occurrence for white American sympathizers and African Americans to put aside their assumptions about one another and unite to work together to achieve the mutual goal of helping those confined to slavery find their freedom (Aboard the Underground).

When it became apparent just how divided the United States was on the issue of slavery during a congressional debate in 1819 and 1820 over whether Missouri should enter the Union as slave state or as a free state, abolitionists really began to take action against slavery. Many of them though, were divided on the issue of whether or not to use The Underground Railroad. There was division amongst the abolitionists as to whether or not they should focus more money, effort and energy on political action rather than the illegal and secretive Underground Railroad (Aboard the Underground). Ultimately, the decision to participate in The Underground Railroad was a personal one. The following the role that Hancock County, Illinois played in thousands of slaves’ journey towards freedom.

The first step on a Missouri slave’s journey towards freedom was across the Mississippi River and through Adams County in Illinois. If the escapee was fortunate enough to make it through the obstacles that they were faced with in Adams County, Hancock County was then their next step on their journey towards freedom from bondage. The first place of refuge that these escaped slaves usually encountered in Hancock was a remote tall-grass range that is referred to as Round Prairie (Muelder). Within Round Prairie there were two small villages that were very important to the Underground Railroad – Augusta and Plymouth. Both of these towns were located in the remote, southeast corner of Hancock County (Muelder). According to Owen W. Muelder, “Round Prairie…for many years was an important station of a prominent line the so-called //Underground Railroad//.” Within this small, circular geographic region, there was a lot of turmoil, controversy and overall excitement with respect to the Underground Railroad.

In Alton, Illinois, a significant event took place that fueled the fire for abolitionist activity (especially the use of the Underground Railroad). This was the murder of a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. His death at the hands of a pro-slavery mob was due to his “attempt to establish an anti-slavery newspaper at that place” (Muelder). According to E. H. Young, a prominent historian of Round Prairie and Hancock County,

“The death of Lovejoy was one of the links in the chain of educational agencies that God used to train men in the principles of universal freedom. “The blood of the martyr is the seed of the church.” That Lovejoy was a martyr to his earnest convictions no one doubts. His blood produced a bountiful harvest in the agitation of the slavery question through all his region. That agitation and discussion brought with it light, knowledge, sympathy for the oppressed, and active effort in their behalf.” (Muelder)

Another event that had “a direct personal influence on the citizens of Round Prairie” was the capture and confinement of Alanson Work, James E. Burr and George Thompson for the crime of “stealing slaves”. Although there was actually no law in Missouri at the time which designated their actions as a crime, all three of these men served unjust time in penitentiaries (Muelder).

As Young states, Rev. Lovejoy’s death and the illegal imprisonment of Work, Burr and Thompson did not occur in vain. These events were “illustrative of thousands of incidents that added fuel to the flame of anti-slavery excitement” that in turn contributed to the growth and popularity of the Underground Railroad in Hancock County, particularly Round Prairie (Muelder).

Although there were many instances in which the Underground Railroad presented very exciting and dramatic situations in Hancock County, it is said that the most exciting and dramatic situation was said to have occurred in the fall of 1857. Because some of the active participants in this story were still alive at the time it was documented, their names have been changed (Muelder).

A driver of covered wagon made a stop at the home of Mr. X who lived at an undisclosed point in Round Prairie. Although Mr. X was a known to be a slave-sympathizer, he had a very pro-slavery Irishman working for him who was staying at his house. Said Irishman was suspicious of the wagon’s cargo (which Mr. X refused to accept) and subsequently followed the wagon to neighboring Mr. Y’s house after Mr. X’s refusal. The Irishman’s suspicions were confirmed when he saw 3 African Americans exit the wagon and head towards the house. The Irishman then scurried back to Mr. X’s house to put on clothes as he was in such a hurry to follow the wagon that he was only dressed in “very limited night apparel” (Muelder). He then notified neighbors that were sympathetic to the pro-slavery cause and they formed a human fence outside of Mr. Y’s house not allowing him or any of his friends to leave until an officer of the peace provided a warrant. An officer arrived the following day with a search warrant and the house was thoroughly searched, but no escapees were ever located (Muelder).

It turns out that Mr. Y was able to successfully sneak the escaped slaves out of his back door and to a neighbor, Mr. Z’s house when the Irishman went to fetch proper attire. Since Mr. Z was under much less suspicion for being a “slave sympathizer” at the time, his premises was never searched. The escapees were then moved north until they eventually reached freedom. Although there were many examples of close calls where slaves on the UGRR in Hancock County narrowly escaped capture, this story was said to be the most exciting (Muelder).

With the assistance of UGRR “agents” like Messrs. X, Y and Z thousands of slaves were able to obtain their otherwise unimaginable freedom. The landscape of Hancock County and Round Prairie also greatly helped the slaves to remain hidden from slave hunters on their dangerous journeys. The tall prairie grass of the county acted as perfect cover for the escapees (Muelder). As the second major UGRR hub on a Missouri slave’s journey towards freedom, the successful combination of effective UGRR “agents” in Hancock County coupled with the Big bluestem prairie grass that dominated the county’s landscape effectively led thousands of slaves to freedom (Muelder).


 * Works Cited**

"Aboard the Underground Railroad." //U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America//. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2010. []

Muelder, Owen W.. //The Underground Railroad in western Illinois//. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2008. Print.  Return to The Underground Railroad

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