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Clermont County, Ohio Underground Railroad~
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Clermont County, Ohio Underground Railroad~ |
| The Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail is a descriptive guide to the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist sites in Clermont County, Ohio. The thirty-three sites listed in the guide are situated throughout Clermont's rolling hills and along the majestic Ohio River. The Freedom Trail includes nineteen sites that are approved to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, granting Clermont County with the largest approved program in the nation. This tour is definitely a great addition to itineraries including the Rankin House museum in Ripley and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. | ||
| START | 9:00 AM |
Clermont County Hotel Accommodations |
| Hotels Located off I-275 at SR-32, SR-125, US-50, and Wards Corner. For purposes of driving order and directions this itinerary has been formatted centrally with the SR-32 accommodations in mind. For a specific hotel oriented itinerary, please contact the Clermont CVB for a customized copy. 800-796-4282 or request online at: www.visitclermontohio.com | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:03
AM |
Will Sleet Home Site |
| 411 Harrison St, Felicity, Ohio | ||
| #14 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure and also an official Network to Freedom site. On this site once was the residence of Will Sleet and his family. Will was Clermont County's only documented Afro-American conductor on the Underground Railroad and was specifically mentioned by Peter Stokes in his escape narrative. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:07
AM |
Felicity Wesleyan Church |
| 305 Main St, Felicity, Ohio | ||
| This is #13 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure and is an official Network to Freedom site. As with other churches involved with the Underground Railroad and abolitionist activities many of the members were abolitionist or involved in some way as well. | ||
| ARRIVE | 10:11
AM |
Felicity Cemetery |
| Light St, Felicity, Ohio | ||
Allow 10 minutes |
The Felicity Cemetery is #17 in the Freedom Trail brochure. This cemetery holds the burial sites of Oliver Perry Spencer Fee and Arthur Fee, cousins to Greg Fee, noted Kentucky abolitionist and to the Fee's of Moscow who are also detailed in the Clermont Freedom Trail. Both Oliver and Arthur Fee were very active in the Underground Railroad and abolitionist societies. As the tour proceeds through Felicity and then to Moscow you will hear the Fee name quite often. | |
| DRIVE BY | 10:22
AM |
O.P.S. Fee Store |
| 208 Main St, Felicity, Ohio | ||
| #16 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure. This was once the store of Oliver Perry Spencer Fee. O.P.S. Fee fed and clothed fugitive slaves at this location. OPS Fee had built up his reputation as being pro-slavery and was often called upon by slave-hunters for assistance. While aiding and harboring fugitive slaves himself, he directed hunters in the opposite direction to give escapees time to get to their next stop. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:26
AM |
Andrew Powell Home Site |
| 416 Union St, Felicity, Ohio | ||
| This is the Andrew Powell Home Site, # 15 in your Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure. As stated in the brochure, Andrew Powell was an extremely wealthy businessman, who helped fugitive slaves by transporting them in his lavished private carriage. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:30
AM |
Arthur Fee Home Site |
| 1 Moores Lane, Felicity, Ohio | ||
| On this lot was once the residence of Arthur Fee, #18 in the Freedom Trail publication. Arthur, who's burial site was visited earlier in the Felicity Cemetery, was a simple man, choosing the only text of "Arthur Fee tried to be a good man" on his burial marker. However the complex involvement and activities of the Underground Railroad proved to be by his convictions. Arthur Fee kept fugitives hidden in his fruit cellar before he secured their transportation further into Bethel. Now on to Moscow where the Fee cousins lived and operated within the Underground Railroad network. | ||
| Continue (West) on SR-756 | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:42
AM |
Old Calvary Methodist Church |
| St. Rt. 756, Washington Township, Ohio | ||
| The Calvary Methodist Church was once located at this site before the brick structure was built across the road. This location is #12 on the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail and is an official site of the Network to Freedom Program. At the Calvary Methodist Church in November of 1842, a group of community members met to decide what to do about a kidnapping of a local residing African American family. In attendance to the meeting were future U.S. Congressman David Fisher and Ohio State Senator Doughty Utter. This location is #12 on the Clermont County Freedom Trail and is a Network to Freedom site. The Wigglesworth Kidnapping has been commemorated with a site also on the Freedom Trail and is #11 on the program. | ||
| Several nights prior to the meeting at the Calvary Methodist Church, two men broke into the home of Vincent and Fanny Wigglesworth. They kidnapped Fanny and her four children and enslaved them. Robert E. Fee of Moscow, (who we will visit sites on later) became the agent of Vincent Wigglesworth. On two separate occasions Fee traveled to Missouri, where the family had been traced, in an attempt to bring them home. The two kidnappers were indicted by the State of Ohio and the Governor of Ohio executed extradition papers. When Fee arrived in Missouri the two kidnappers where arrested. However the group escorting them out of the state were confronted by mob and the offenders were released. Robert Fee himself barely escaped Missouri and a tar and feathering. Unfortunately, the Wigglesworth family did not return and their fate remains a mystery. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:53
AM |
Robert E. Fee Burial Site ~ Moscow Cemetery |
| US 52, Moscow Ohio | ||
| This is #8 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail publication and is an official Network to Freedom site. The burial place of Robert E. Fee can be found in this Cemetery. Robert E. Fee was very active in the Underground Railroad, along with his father, sister, brother and cousins. Robert was most famously known for serving as agent to Vincent Wigglesworth and attempting to reclaim the kidnapped Wigglesworth family. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 10:56
AM |
Fee Villa |
| 110 Water St, Moscow, Ohio | ||
| #10 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure, this was once the home of Thomas Fee, Jr., Robert's brother. Through years of oral tradition this home came to be known as the "Fee Villa". The home and store of Thomas Fee, Jr. and his family. Located right on the Ohio River fugitive slaves were brought here on their way to Levi Coffin in Cincinnati. The Fee's would feed and clothe fugitive slaves from the store supplies. | ||
| In the mid 1970's two Catholic priests were living in the building and found shackles and chains in the basement. Also found in the basement, is an entrance to a room like structure blocked with lined limestone. According to oral tradition, this was an entrance to a tunnel. In the brick house across the street, known as the Spatt House, there is an identical structure located in the basement, and is in perfect alignment with the Fee Villa. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 11:01
AM |
Robert E. Fee Home Site |
| Water and Wells St, Moscow, Ohio | ||
| This is #9 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure and also an official Network to Freedom site. Now owned by the Village of Moscow and made into this park; on this site once stood the home of Robert E. Fee. As you can see from the depiction in the brochure, this was a grand home - made of brick and overlooking the Ohio River. Robert E. Fee lived in this home with his wife, Catherine Ebersole, who was the sister of Underground Railroad Conductor, Jacob Ebersole. The foundation of the house still remains on the site, and is being preserved as a remembrance for his abolitionist dedication and involvement in the Underground Railroad. | ||
| ARRIVE | 11:10
AM |
US Grant's Birthplace, |
| 1551 St. Rt. 232, Pt. Pleasant ~ 513-553-4911 | ||
| www.historicnewrichmond.org | ||
Allow 30 minutes |
The birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, great Civil War General and 18th President of the United States, is on the National Register of Historic Places. A basic 3-room frame structure was built in 1817. The home includes historic memorabilia and period furnishings. The grounds and park lend nicely to picnic lunch outings; tables and restroom facilities available. A guided tour of the museum with historical oration is available. Contact the museum to make arrangements for groups or specific dates. | |
| DRIVE BY | 11:46
AM |
Clermont/Parker Academy |
| 1324 Clermontville Laurel Rd, Clermontville, Ohio | ||
| This site is #7 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure. The Clermont/Parker Academy was a bi-racial coed school. Many of the plantation owners from across the river sent their bi-racial children to this school. Local abolitionist also sent their children here. Over 1500 students attended the school over the 50 year period of service. | ||
| The original school structure has been taken down some time ago, however the dorm housing of the school still stands and is now a private residence. On more than one occasion school was interrupted by hunters searching for escaped slaves, however no evidence has shown that the school had any involvement in aiding or hiding fugitives. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 11:57
AM |
Rev. Light HS - The Landing Restaurant |
| 401 Front St, New Richmond, Ohio | ||
| #1 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail publication. This was once the home of Reverend George C. Light. Reverend Light was a Methodist Minister and agent of the American Colonization Society. The American Colonization Society was formed in 1816, for the purpose of voluntarily relocating free blacks to Africa. Rev. George Light was a surveyor for the county and served as a representative to the state legislature. Rev. Light was also the nephew of the founder of New Richmond, Jacob Light. Part of this building is now a family operated restaurant. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 12:00
PM |
Dr. John Rodgers Home |
| 305 Front St, New Richmond, Ohio | ||
| This is site #2 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure. It was once the home of Dr. John Rogers, physician who delivered Ulysses S. Grant in Pt. Pleasant, on April 27th in 1822. Dr. Rogers was married to Julia Morris, daughter of, known abolitionist, United States Senator Thomas Morris. Rogers was also an active abolitionist, and was the first president of the Clermont County Anti-Slavery Society. He served on the vigilante group protecting the Philanthropist Newspaper office during its production in New Richmond. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 12:04
PM |
New Richmond Waterfront |
| Front St., New Richmond, Ohio | ||
| This is site #3 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail publication and an official Network to Freedom site. New Richmond, being a riverfront community, was an active port in the 1800's. This hotspot of riverboat shipments, was useful for the escaping fugitives and those that assisted them. In one case, an escaped slave named "Joe" was shipped in a crate from Louisville, Kentucky to a friend's family in New Richmond. Joe stayed briefly with the family until moving on to Levi Coffin, in Cincinnati, and from there onto freedom in Canada. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 12:07
PM |
The Philanthropist Newspaper |
| Walnut St., New Richmond, Ohio | ||
| #4 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure and a Network to Freedom site. This was once the office location of the "Philanthropist Newspaper". Published by James G. Birney, the Philanthropist Newspaper was known as an outspoken opponent of slavery and the official paper of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society. Due to its highly controversial point of view, the paper received many negative threats requiring a local community group to guard the paper's office. (Souvenir newspaper replicas are available for nominal donation, contact the CCCVB for more information) | ||
| ARRIVE | 12:08
PM |
Cranston Memorial Presbyterian Church |
| Corner of Union and Washington St., New Richmond, Ohio | ||
Allow 15 minutes |
#5 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure. As most know, churches had great involvement in the spread of abolitionist views and was supportive, if not involved, in the Underground Railroad. This church in particular hosted a number of organizational meetings for the New Richmond Anti-Slavery Society and speakers of great importance to the Underground Railroad such as: George Beecher, John Rankin and Alexander T. Rankin. The current church congregation is quiet proud of their abolitionist heritage and will open the building for groups to tour and/or use the facilities for reception of light refreshments. Contact the Clermont CVB for more information. | |
| LUNCH | 12:24
PM |
Joe's Place Restaurant |
| Front St., New Richmond, Ohio | ||
Allow 1 hour |
This building has served as a home, a stove store, a car showroom, a bank and now a restaurant. A great stop for lunch! The restaurant has a variety on the menu but is especially known for the unique entrees of Buffalo meat. | |
| *ARRIVE | Quaint Shopping District (optional) | |
| Front St., New Richmond, Ohio | ||
Allow 20-30 minutes |
Browse the unique shops that highlight small town antiquing to it's best. The welcoming stores feature items of true antiques, interesting collectibles and work-pieces of local artisans. Some shops of interest include the R Miller Art Gallery, Geni's Floral Corner and the River’s Edge Trading Post. | |
| ARRIVE | 2:05 PM |
Lindale Baptist Church |
| 3052 SR-132, Amelia, Ohio | ||
| This is #6 on the Clermont County Freedom Trail and approved on the Network to Freedom Program. The Lindale Baptist Church was the church of Andrew Coombs, Jr. Coombs was the organizing secretary of the Gilead Anti-Slavery Society in 1836. His residence once stood right next to the church and served as a way station between John Rankin in Ripley and Levi Coffin in Cincinnati. His burial site is located in the cemetery immediately behind the church. | ||
| ARRIVE | 2:26 PM |
Sugar Tree Wesleyan Church & Cemetery |
| Crane School House Rd., Bethel, Ohio | ||
| The Sugar Tree Wesleyan Church & Cemetery is #25 on the Freedom Trail and an official Network to Freedom site. At this location a 35 by 45-foot church was built 1848 on land donated by Isaac Holmes Brown, a well-known conductor. The Sugar Tree Wesleyan Church was founded by anti-slavery Methodists in 1845 with six members. This church was one of the first Wesleyan Churches organized in Ohio. The first pastor was Rev. Silas Chase, MD, a Bethel residing abolitionist. A number of anti-slavery meetings were held here, led by Rev. Gerrard P. Riley, an area conductor who continued on his activities during the Civil War. Many individuals involved in the Underground Railroad attended the church, such as: James Bunton, Benjamin Rice, Richard Mace, and O.W. Vandosol. | ||
| G. P. Riley was born near Bethel and attended the Clermont/Parker Academy in Clermontville. Riley, greatly influenced by the abolitionist views of US Senator Thomas Morris, joined the Sugar Tree Wesleyan Church and later became the pastor. Riley became involved in the Underground Railroad activities in Bethel prior to the Civil War but continued his involvement after he joined the 50th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as its chaplain. He worked with "contraband" slaves during his service, ministering to them and teaching reading skills. Riley was commissioned a Captain in Company K of the 6th US Colored Trouup. Men requesting commissions in colored regiments were required to undergo rigorous oral and written examinations. The examiner noted that Riley had been credited with enlisting 180 black men into the US Army. Captain Riley saw service with his regiment in Virginia where he continued is Underground Railroad activity. Riley took orphaned black children from cruel slave owners and placed them into orphanages. | ||
| ARRIVE | 2:37 PM |
Tate Township Cemetery |
| East St, Bethel, Ohio | ||
Allow 10 minutes |
The Tate Township Cemetery is #20 in the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail brochure and is an official Network to Freedom site. The cemetery contains the burial sites of four gentlemen, who were very active in the Underground Railroad. Benjamin Rice; Rev. Silas Chase, MD; Richard Mace; and Dr. William Beetle Thompson. | |
| DRIVE BY | 2:49 PM |
Dr. William E. Thompson Boyhood Home Site |
| 137 S Main St, Bethel, Ohio | ||
| Freedom Trail #19. This was the Boyhood Home of Dr. William E. Thompson. He lived in this house during his documented involvement in the Underground Railroad. A few years before Dr. Thompson passed away, he was interview by Mary Harrison Games for her publication, the Underground Railroad in Ohio. Now the time of that interview, Dr. Thompson was 102 years old. He recounted his first trip as a guard or conductor - He went from Bethel to the home of O.E. Vandosol. They had reached their destination at around midnight. Mrs. Vandosol had no advance knowledge of their coming, but when they arrived she quickly served ginger cakes, pumpkin pie and coffee in generous quantities."... I think it is kind of funny, over all the years of his dedicated service, people forget details, forget names or faces, but we rarely forget if food is involved!" | ||
| DRIVE BY | 2:52 PM |
Bethel Baptist Church |
| 211 E Plane St, Bethel, Ohio | ||
| The Bethel Baptist Church, as listed in the Freedom Trail publication #21, was strongly against slavery and participated in several abolitionist organizations. An oral tradition exists at the church that the two small rooms in the church's basement were used to harbor escaping slaves. In 1860, the church issued the following statement: "The Regular Baptists Church at Bethel, Ohio, believing that American slavery as it now exists is a violation of the laws of God... Therefore resolve that it is the duty of our preachers to preach against slavery and that it is not only the privilege but the duty of our members to speak against slavery and pray for its downfall..." | ||
| DRIVE BY | 2:55 PM |
Dr. William E. Thompson Home Site |
| 213 E Plane St, Bethel, Ohio | ||
| #22 in the Freedom Trail brochure and an official Network to Freedom site, this was once the residence Dr. William Eberle Thompson, who was active in the Underground Railroad as a teenager. Dr. Thompson practiced medicine, here in Bethel, for 80 years. He was known to be quite good with a rifle and did "good service in picking off the bloodhounds the irate slave owners brought with them to trace their escaped property"... Dr. Thompson died in 1940 at 105 years old. | ||
| ARRIVE | 3:00 PM |
Old Settlers Cemetery & Burial Site of US. Senator Thomas Morris |
| N. Main St, Bethel, Ohio | ||
Allow 10 minutes |
This is numbers #23 & #24 in the Freedom Trail brochure. The Old Settlers Cemetery was the first cemetery in Bethel. Obed Denham, founder of Bethel, donated the land for the cemetery with the contingency that the land not be used or affiliated with anyone who "holds communion with slaveholders". Denham also donated the land for the Bethel Baptist Church we visited earlier. His burial site and memorial marker are in the cemetery. US Senator Thomas Morris, a loudly proclaimed abolitionist, was the only US Senator to speak out against slavery during his time. Morris represented many defendants accused of harboring fugitive slaves. The great Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier wrote Morris' epitaph: "Unawed by power, and uninfluenced by flattery. He was, throughout life, the fearless advocate of Human Liberty" | |
| DRIVE BY | 3:29 PM |
Marcus Sims - Huber Tannery Location |
| 134 S 2nd St, Williamsburg, Ohio | ||
| At this location was once the Tannery of Charles B. Huber. The tannery was the workplace of Marcus Sims, one of only two identified African American conductors in Clermont County. Sims aided Huber, the Williamsburg stationmaster, in transporting of fugitive slaves to Brown and Warren County. Sims enlisted in the US Army and was killed during the Civil War in 1864. This site was chosen to represent Sims' accomplishments and involvement in the Underground Railroad. This location is number 26 in the Clermont County Freedom Trail and is an official Network to Freedom site. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 3:33 PM |
Charles B. Huber Home Site |
| 160 Gay St, Williamsburg, Ohio | ||
| Also a Network to Freedom site the Charles B. Huber Home Site is number 27 in the Freedom Trail. Charles "Boss" Huber was one of the most noted and successful stationmasters in the southwest Ohio area. He assisted between 300-500 fugitive slaves during his time as an active conductor. Huber loudly protested slavery and was known to carry a soap-box with him to preach his beliefs when presented with an audience and opportunity. Huber was assisted by many throughout his term as stationmaster of Williamsburg, especially by close confidents Marcus Sims, Samuel Peterson and Dr. LT Pease. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 3:36 PM |
Dr. Leavitt Thaxter Pease Home Site |
| 180 Gay St, Williamsburg, Ohio | ||
| This was the home and office of Dr. LT Pease. This site is also approved to the Network to Freedom and is number 28 on the Clermont Freedom Trail. Dr. Pease was the neighbor and friend of Charles Huber. Pease took over as Williamsburg stationmaster upon Huber's death in 1854. Pease was married to Nancy Fee, the sister of Robert Fee who served as stationmaster in Moscow, Ohio. | ||
| ARRIVE | 3:39 PM |
Williamsburg Township Cemetery |
| Gay St, Williamsburg, Ohio | ||
Allow 10 minutes |
Number 29 on the Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail and an official Network to Freedom site. The Williamsburg Township Cemetery holds the burial sites of three prominent abolitionist and Underground Railroad operatives. The cemetery is open during light hours for viewing of the burial places and stones of: Charles B. Huber, Dr. LT Pease and Samuel Peterson. Peterson, a stonemaster by trade, made custom stones for himself and for his family. The burial markers resemble a tree stump with bark all around and grain on the top. Being so close in resemblance to a tree, be careful not to overlook his unique marker. | |
| DRIVE BY | 3:50 PM |
Charles B. Huber Farm |
| 975 W Main St, Williamsburg, Ohio | ||
| Once the farmland of Charles Huber, this property now owned by Croswell Motorcoach Company, is number 30 and the final Network to Freedom site in Williamsburg. Huber had a barn located at the far end of his property where escaped slaves would be hidden until nightfall, when safe for transport. One account recorded states that there were seventeen fugitives staying with Huber in one night. | ||
| Site located on Left hand side at the corner of N. 3rd St. and North St. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 4:05 PM |
Brice Blair Home Site |
| 123 North Third St., Batavia, Ohio | ||
| #31 on the Clermont County Freedom Trail, this was once the residence of Brice Blair. Blair was an elder of the abolitionist Batavia Presbyterian Church and served as president of the Clermont County Anti-Slavery Society. Blair was frequent host to Reverend George Beecher and his sister Harriet Beecher Stowe as houseguests when Rev. Beecher was in town to pastor at the Presbyterian Church. The building has served as a residence to many families over the years but now houses the Clermont County Prosecutors Office. | ||
| DRIVE BY | 4:09 PM |
John Jolliffe - Clermont County Courthouse |
| 270 E. Main St., Batavia, Ohio | ||
| This site is #32 on the Clermont Freedom Trail and is approved to the Network to Freedom Program. The Clermont County Courthouse was chosen to commemorate John Jolliffe, Prosecuting Attorney for Clermont County from 1833-1837, for his efforts as an anti-slavery attorney. | ||
| Jolliffe's first known legal involvement in the anti-slavery movement occurred in 1839, when he, former US Senator Thomas Morris and Owen T. Fishback (future Clermont County Judge and brother-in-law of Charles Huber) defended Reverend John B. Mahan, Amos and John Pettyjohn on charges of criminal riot. The three defendants were accused of causing a riot while attempting to assist Moses Cumberland, a fugitive slave, to escape from Brown County, Ohio authorities. Thomas Hamer, Jolliffe's former law partner, was called in as a special prosecutor. The three were convicted and sentenced to 10 days in jail on bread and water and fined $50.00 but the Ohio Supreme Court overturned the conviction because the Judge erred in empanelling the jury. | ||
| Jolliffe was involved in seventeen other cases defending fugitive slaves including his most famous client, Margret Garner. Garner, her husband and four children escaped from their northern Kentucky masters traveling over the frozen Ohio River by sleigh in the winter of 1856. The family hid among family members in Cincinnati. One family member betrayed them Just as Margret's master burst through the door, Margret slit the throat of her child because she did not want the child to live in slavery. Garner fought her return to Kentucky through the Fugitive Slave Act, unfortunately Jolliffe's attempts were unsuccessful and she was returned to her master and sold. Margret Garner's story as inspired many plays and books such as "Modern Medea" by Steven Weisenburger and Beloved by Toni Morrison. | ||
| ARRIVE | 4:30 PM |
Phillip Gatch Burial Site - Greenlawn Cemetery |
| US-50 and Cemetery Rd., Milford, Ohio | ||
| This is site is #33 on the Clermont County Freedom Trail and the burial location of Reverend Phillip Gatch. Rev. Gatch was a Methodist minister who freed the slaves that he inherited from his wife's father. Because of his anti-slavery viewpoint, Clermont County citizens selected him as a delegate to Ohio's first Constitutional Convention in 1802. The Greenlawn Cemetery was originally established on Gatch's farm as a family burial ground. Gatch and his wife Elizabeth are buried here. This cemetery also holds the burial site of Ohio's 43rd Governor, John M. Pattison. | ||
| START | 9:00 AM |
Clermont County Hotel Accommodations |
| Hotels Located off I-275 at SR-32, SR-125, US-50, and Wards Corner. For purposes of driving order and directions this itinerary has been formatted centrally with the SR-32 accommodations in mind. For a specific hotel oriented itinerary, please contact the Clermont CVB for a customized copy. 800-796-4282 or request online at: www.visitclermontohio.com | ||
SUMMARY |
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