The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia

The term "Underground Railroad", coined in the early 1840's, was used to describe a network of people and places that helped runaway slaves escape the oppression they faced South of the Mason-Dixon. As slaves were harbored from the South to the North, they would stop at various "stations", or safe havens where they could rest during the day before they continued their journey the following night. These were often the homes of free Blacks and Whites alike. The individuals who helped the runaways along their journey came to be known as "conductors", while the slaves themselves were called "passengers".

As you have probably guessed by now, one of the sites that the railroad passed through was non other than historic Philadelphia. Some of these sites included the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Belmont Mansion, where Presidents George Washington and John Adams stayed, as well as the Johnson House and Roadside, home of the prominent abolitionist Lucret Mott.

The Johnson House (right), built in 1768 was home to John Johnson Jr. and his wife Rachel Livezey. The home, which was a wedding gift from John's father, would later become home to John's son Samuel and his wife Jannet in 1805. As Quakers, the Johnsons promoted their anti-slavery beliefs and began to open their doors to slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. "They provided sanctuary, food, clothing, and transportation to untold numbers of African freedom seekers".

Homes such as Roadside, the Johnson House, and the Belmont Mansion, were instrumental in helping African Americans reach the land of the free. Philadelphia natives such as Edward M. Davis, and Robert Purvis risked spending time in jail and thousands of dollars in fines to help right a serious wrong that was prevalent in our young nation. Their display of compassion bettered many lives, and for that they are honored with signs detailing their work throughout the Philadelphia region.

Blog created by Joshua Griffin and Jenna Lee and Group 1 Historical Philadelphia

Works Cited:

Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition; 10/1/2009, p1-1, 1p

Web. 16 Mar. 2010. http://johnsonhhouse.org/

Douglas, F. (1881). Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. Glaucester: Smith, P.