Ann Arbor, Michigan

| Guy Beckley House | John Geddes House | Robert Glazier House | Michigan Anti-Slavery Society Marker |
 

 

Guy Beckley House 1709 Pontiac Trail

Bordering Ypsilanti, which was a significant site of Underground Railroad activity on the western side of Michigan, Ann Arbor served as another Washtenaw County refuge for African Americans escaping slavery. Numerous fugitives appear to have visited Ann Arbor and interacted with the editors of the Signal of Liberty, a national antislavery newspaper and voice for the Liberty Party. The editors of the Signal, Rev. Guy Beckley and Theodore Foster, publicized African American's stories of enslavement and flight after they passed through Washtenaw County, often on their way to Canada. Published from 1841-1847 in Ann Arbor and during 1848 in Battle Creek, the Signal featured local, state, national and international news as it related to slavery. Beckley not only published stories of escape, but assisted escaped slaves from 1842 until he died in 1847. An example of the type of stories published in the Signal is located here. The Guy Beckley home is listed on the National Park Service's Network to Freedom. The marker pictured above, located on the corner of Broadway and Pontiac Trail, states: Rev. Guy Beckley was a "conductor" on the the Underground Railroad, even though it was a federal crime to help escaping slaves. His house nearby on Pontiac Trail was one of several "secret" stations in the area. Caroline Quarlls, who escaped from slavery, stayed with Beckley on her journey to freedom in Canada. Michigan's Anti-Slavery Society was established in Ann Arbor in 1836. Starting in 1841, the newspaper, The Signal of Liberty, which called for the abolition of slavery in the United States, was published in the Huron Block, directly across Broadway from here, by Beckley and his co-editor Theodore Foster. Beckley died in 1847.

John Geddes House 4479 E. Huron Dr

John Geddes, also known as "Uncle John Geddes" throughout Washtenaw County, was born in Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania in March 1801. He moved to Michigan at the age of 23. His brother Robert came to live with him in May of 1825 and both purchases tracts of land. John's other brother William moved to the area in the fall of 1826 and purchased additional land in Pittsfield. Robert built a saw-mill on the Huron River near his land, and John worked for him until 1868. John Geddes married Fanny Savage on April 6, 1837. Fanny died on December 6, 1855 and, six months later, Geddes married Juliette Savage, one of Fanny's sisters. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. John Geddes was an Anti-Mason and Whig, later becoming a Republican. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1840 and was Supervisor of Ann Arbor Township for many years. He was a justice of the peace for over twenty years. The John Geddes house is believed to have a hidden second cellar under loose floorboards in the parlor. The home is now a private residence. For additional information on John Geddes, see these excerpts from History of Washtenaw County, Michigan... Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1881.

Robert Glazier House Location Unknown Glazier was a known member of and contributor to the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society. It is claimed that his home was used as a stop on the Underground.

Michigan Anti-Slavery Society Historical Marker 340 E. Huron St

Five years before becoming the home of the Signal of Liberty, Ann Arbor hosted the first meeting of the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society on November 10 and 11, 1836 at the First Presbyterian Church. Seventy-five antislavery activists from six Michigan counties attended. Beckley, also a member of the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society, served on the Executive Committee from 1840 and functioned as its Vice-President in 1845. The state historical marker, erected in 1976, reads: The founding meeting of the Michigan Antislavery Society was held in the First Presbyterian Church, located on this site, on November 10, 1836. Delegates from six counties elected officers and and adopted fourteen resolutions denouncing slavery. This convention led to the establishment in Jackson in 1839 of the American Freeman, the state's first antislavery newspaper and its successor, Ann Arbor's Signal of Liberty in 1841.

For the Michigan Underground there is physical means of identifying agents and supporters of abolitionist activity beyond information supplied through personal accounts, and that is through The Black Books. The Black Books, a part of the Harriet DeGarmo Fuller Papers at the William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, include the constitution, bylaws, resolutions, treasurer-secretary reports, and minutes of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society, from 1852-1857, as well as the Michigan Anti-Slavery Convention at Adrian in 1852. The documents were collected by Harriet deGarmo while she was a member of the executive committee of the Society—she served as Vice-President of the Society, 1853-1854, and recording secretary, 1856-unknown. The most important aspect of these documents is the detailed, itemized lists of donations, pledges and expenditures that include the name of the donor, their town of residence, and their relationship to the Society.

This is a transcription of a portion of that list, including only those Michigan residents whose town of residence was identified (please note it unclear as to what the difference is between the designations of pledge, donation, and contributor): Name City Contribution Date Aldrich, Huldah Livonia Pledge 1855 Aldrich, Royal Plymouth Pledge 1865 Bailey, Henry Manchester Pledge 1854 Barber, Richard Pennfield Pledge 1855 Bartow, William Plymouth Pledge 1854 Benton, H. Livonia Pledge   Bidwell's Hall Adrian Convention location 1854 Bonner, Grace B. Adrian Contributor   Borrack, Mary Ann Adrian Contributor   Booth, C.N. Livonia Pledge   Bradich, C. Adrian Pledge 1854 Brigham, Alfred Meadville Pledge   Briggs, Alta Livonia Pledge 1856 Briggs, Luther Livonia Contributor 1854, 1856 Brownell, Charles Raisin Donation 1853,1854 Buel, William Adrian Contributor 1853 Call, John Albion Pledge 1854 Cameron, James Adrian Contributor   Carrol, Charles Jonesville Vice President Anti-Slavery Society/Pledge 1856 Casey, William* Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Chandler, J.A. Adrian Contributor   Chandler, Thomas* Adrian First President MI Anti-Slavery Society 1852 Cochran, C. Euphemia Detroit Vice President MI Anti-Slavery Society 1855, 1856 Comstock, Edwin* Adrian First Central Committee of the MI Anti-Slavery Society 1852, 1853 Conklin, T.D. Adrian   1853 Cornelius, John Mott* Raisin Active abolitionist   Cornell, Hiram Redford Contributor   Cornell, Mrs. H. Redford Contributor   Cornell, Reynolds* Sherwood Pledge 1854 Covert, Andrew Adrian Contributor   Crane, Albert Adrian Contributor   Crane, G.L.* Adrian Contributor   Crane, Nathan Adrian Contributor   Culver, Sylvenus Madison Contributor   Dearing, C. Albion Contributor 1854 DeGarmo, Emeline Ypsilanti Contributor   Delano, Nelson Adrian Contributor 1854, 1855 Devon, Emma Adrian Contributor 1853 Dye, Maria Hickory Grove/Gidley Station Local Agent/Vice President 1855 Durfee, Barton Northville Contributor/Active Abolitionist   Durfee, Harry Livonia Pledge 1854 Durfey, Ann Eliza Livonia Pledge   Durfey, Emery Livonia Pledge   Durfey, Emily Livonia Pledge   Durfey, Phoebe Plymouth Contributor   Eggleston, Sarah Adrian Active Worker/Contributor 1852 Enos, Shermon Ypsilanti Contributor   Foster, Catherine* Addison Woodstock Manual Training Institute Pledge 1853, 1854 Foster, Mary Ann* Addison Woodstock Manual Training Institute Pledge 1853, 1854 Foster, M. Joseph* Addison Brother of Prior Foster, founder of Woodstock   Foster, Sophia* Addison Woodstock Manual Training Institute Pledge 1853, 1854 Fuller, Caroline Plymouth Pledge   Fuller, Cyrus Plymouth President, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1855 Fuller, Edwin* Plymouth Contributor/Active Abolitionist/Last Treasurer, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society   Fuller, Harriet De G.* Plymouth Last Secretary of Michigan Anti-Slavery Society/Preserved the Black Books   Fuller, Lucena Plymouth Contributor   Fuller, Luman Milford Pledge   Ferguson, James* Marshall Donation 1854 Gains, Henry Adrian Contributor 1853 Geddes, John J. Ann Arbor Donation 1854 George, C.G. Hickory Grove Contributor   Gilbert, May W.* Wolf Creek Active worker/Contributor   Gilbert, Warren* Wolf Creek First Central Committee, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1852 Glazier, Marie Ann Arbor Constant Contributor   Glazier, Richard B.* Ann Arbor Constant Contributor/Worker   Glazier, Richard, Jr.* Ann Arbor Contributor   Grant, William Adrian Contributor   Green, Mary Amelia Farmington Pledge 1854 Green, Myra Adeline Farmington Pledge 1854 Green, Dexter Farmington Pledge 1856 Green, Mrs. F. Adrian Contributor 1853 Green, G.H. Albion Pledge 1854 Green, M. Farmington Pledge   Green, O.H. Albion Pledge 1854 Gully, Dr. J.B.* Coldwater/Raisin Contributor   Gully, Mrs. J.B.* Coldwater/Raisin Contributor   Haviland, Laura* Raisin Helped organize first Anti-Slavery Society in Michigan/Founded Raisin Institute 1830/1837 Hayball, Ann Adrian Secretary, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1853 Hayball, Samuel Adrian President, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1854 Heddon, Isaac N. and wife Plymouth Contributors/Active workers   Heddon, J.N. Plymouth Pledge   Higgins, Samuel Parma Contributor 1854 Hoag, J.J. Hickory Grove Pledge 1855 Holroyd, Stephen Fairfield Pledge 1854 Horton, Samuel Fairfield Pledge 1854 Houghton, Lewis Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Houghton, Rufus Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Hoyt, Horace Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Hoyt, Philander Emmet Pledge 1854 Hulburt, William Livonia Pledge   Hurst, S.S. Albion Contributor 1854 Hussey, Erastus* Battle Creek Convention Speaker 1855 Hutchinson, Charlotte Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Hutchinson, James Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Hutchinson, Salmon Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Illinden, M.R. Adrian Worker/Contributor   Illinden, Richard* Adrian First Treasurer, Central Committee of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1852 Irish, F. Adrian Contributor 1853 Irish, Harriet M. Adrian Donation 1854 Jennings, Hiram D. Farmington Pledge 1856 Jones, Eliphlet Raisin Secretary, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1854 Jones, Elisha Raisin Contributor 1853, 1854 Jones, Lydia Raisin Pledge 1854 Kaniff, Rev. Adrian Debated with Wellman, Griffing, Burleigh 1854 Kirkby, Martha Adrian Contributor 1853 Lamphier, Marcus H. Parma Pledge 1854 Lapham, Abigail* Farmington Pledge 1854 Lapham, Elizabeth Livonia Contributor 1853 Lapham, Ethan* Farmington Pledge 1855 Lapham, Hannah Livonia Pledge 1854 Lapham, Luther Farmington-Livonia Contributor   Lapham, Norton Farmington-Livonia Nominating Committee, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1856 Lewis, John Adrian Pledge 1854 Lewis, Margaret Adrian Contributor 1854 Lloyd, O. Albion Pledge 1854 Loop, Emma Adrian Contributor 1853 Lowry, John* Saline Contributor/Discussion Leader 1854 Manchester, E.C. Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Mandeville, Elizabeth Adrian Contributor   McAlpine, William Detroit Contributor   McComber, D. Hickory Grove Pledge 1855 McGee, M.L. Concord Pledge 1854 Mead, G.T. Waterford Pledge 1854 Mead, P. Waterford Pledge 1854 Merritt, Hannah F.* Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Merritt, Miss Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Merritt, Joseph* Battle Creek President, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1856 Merritt, Richard B. Battle Creek Constant Contributor   Merritt, Sarah Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Mickley, Charles E. Fairfield Contributor   Mingo, Sarah Adrian Contributor 1853 Moffat, Dr. Orlando* Battle Creek-Colon Resolution for Dis-Union 1855 Moore, Mary* Ypsilanti Constant worker   Moore, Samuel D.* Ypsilanti Helped organize Adrian Anti-Slavery Society 1853 Morgan, Sarah Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Mott, Mrs. Fanny* Hickory Grove Constant contributor   Mott, Francis S.* Hickory Grove Constant contributor   Mott, Isaac G.* Hickory Grove On first Central Committee, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1852 Mott, John C.* Hickory Grove Founder, Mott Seminary   Mott, Marie L.* Hickory Grove On first Central Committee, Michigan Anti-Slavery Society 1852 Mott Marie G.* Hickory Grove Donation 1854 Murray, Joseph H. Farmington Speech for Republican Party 1853, 1854 Olmsby Adrian Criticized for editorials in Adrian Watch Tower   Osborne, George Bedford Pledge 1855 Owen, Jane M.* Adrian Constant anti-slavery worker   Owen, Dr. Woodland* Adrian Constant anti-slavery worker   Packard, Betsy Plymouth-Waterford Pledge 1856 Packard, Cyrus Mead's Mill-Waterford Contributor   Pameter, P. Albion Contributor 1854 Parker, J.H.* Rome Contributor   Penniman, Mrs. E.J.* Plymouth Pledge 1854 Pearson, Henry Brighton Pledge   Peters, J.R. Adrian Speaker at Convention 1853 Phillips, James Albion Pledge 1854 Pitken, Rev. Battle Creek Pastor of Presbyterian Church/Spoke at Convention   Power, Abraham* Farmington Donation   Power, Amanda* Farmington Pledge   Power, Arthur* Farmington Contributor/Worker for Republican Party   Power, Francis* Farmington Contributor/Worker for Republican Party   Power, Gideon Farmington Pledge 1854 Power, Nathan* Farmington Donation 1854 Power, William* Farmington Donation 1854 Preston, Ephriam* Battle Creek Pledge/Speaker for Republican Party 1854 Preston, James Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Preston, Lucy* Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Ramsdell, Dyer Plymouth Pledge 1854 Ramsdell, Garnett Plymouth Pledge 1854 Ramsdell, Thomas Plymouth Pledge 1856 Ramsdell, William A. Plymouth Donation 1856 Ray, Mrs. Veca Adrian Contributor 1853 Roberts, Elisha* Livonia-Farmington Donation 1854 Roberts, George* Livonia-Farmington On Executive Committee, Livonia 1856 Roberts, Reuben Farmington Donation 1854 Rulon, Elizabeth L.* Raisin-Tecumseh Contributor 1853 Rulon, Ephriam* Raisin-Tecumseh On Organizing Central Committee 1852- Rulon, Mary Ann* Raisin-Tecumseh Constant contributor   Rulon, Sarah A.* Raisin-Tecumseh Constant contributor   Rulon, Sarah C.* Raisin-Tecumseh Constant contributor   Rutledge, William Medina Contributor 1853 Sackrider, Phoebe* Raisin Contributor   Sanford, Perry* Vandalia Pledge/Saved slaves from Kentucky Raiders 1854 Scott, Thomas Ann Arbor Contributor   Segar, Charlotte Adrian Contributor   Sherwin, Ezra Raisin Valley Pledge 1854 Simmons, Sarah Adrian Donation 1854 Smith, J.M. Albion Donation 1854 Smith, Lewis Albion Donation 1854 Smith, William W. Albion Pledge/Aided Crosswhite escape 1854 Stevens, Benjamin Hickory Grove Pledge 1854 Stevens, Camilla Litchfield Contributor 1853 Stretch, Elizabeth A. Adrian Contributor 1853 Sykos, J.F. Bellevue Pledge 1855 Tabor, Paul Adrian Contributor 1853 Talbot, J.W.* Centreville Pledge 1854 Taylbot, Wealthy* Centreville Pledge 1854 Thayer, Catherine* Farmington Pledge 1854 Thayer, John* Farmington Pledge 1854 Townsend Albion Pledge 1854 Truth, Sojourner Battle Creek Speaker, Anti-Slavery Convention 1856 Tuttle, Joseph Albion Pledge 1854 Tuttle, M.H. Albion Pledge 1854 Volland, Cynthia Ann Arbor Continuous worker   Volland, Jacob Ann Arbor On First Central Committee 1852 Walker, Bush Adrian Contributor   Walker, Jonathan* Muskegon "Man with the Branded Hand"/Lecturer 1854 Walton, Amelia C. Adrian Continuous worker   Walton, Cynthia Farmington Pledge 1856 Walton, Jacob Jr. Adrian First Secretary, Central Committee 1852 Walton, Jacob Sr. Ann Arbor Contributor   Walton, Joseph Farmington Contributor   Ward, William Adrian On First Central Committee 1852 Warner, Thomas C. Adrian On First Central Committee 1852 Washington, Dennis Ann Arbor Pledge   Wassen, Alfred Battle Creek Pledge 1855 Webb, George Adrian Contributor   Weeks, Anna Ann Arbor On State Nominating Committee 1856 Wheeler, Charles Adrian Contributor 1853 Wheelan, F. Albion Donation 1854 Willis, Henry M.* Battle Creek Pledge 1854 Willis, Phoebe* Battle Creek Contributor   Willson, Angeline Raisin Contributor 1853 Wilson, William S. Adrian Contributor 1853, 1854 Woodruff, E. Albion Donation 1854 Worden, R.R. Livonia Pledge   Wright, Ira Adrian Donation 1853 Wright, Julia Ann Tecumseh Donation   Yancey, Lantan Adrian Contributor 1853 York, Alfred Adrian Contributor 1853 Zimmerman, John D.* Union City Contributor/Great Underground Operator

*Identified as leading Underground operators. It is likely these individuals would have had Underground Railroad stations at their homes, local businesses or churches.

Resources "Ann Arbor." Michigan Pulses of Underground Railroad and Anti-Slavery Activism. Underground Railroad Tour at the Historic First Congregational Church of Detroit. 29 October 2007 <http://the-ugrr.org/home/pulses.asp?ID=3&CityID=1>. Brennan, Jim. Michigan Historical Markers. (2007). 28 October 2007 <http://www.michmarkers.com/frameset.htm>. "Dear Brother: Letters from John Geddes to his Brother." (2007). Washtenaw County Historical Society. 11 December 2007 <http://washtenawhistory.org/index.php?section=history&content=geddes>. Michigan Anti-Slavery Society. The Black Books (transcripts of original hand-written): Minutes of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society, 1852-1857. [1982]. "Michigan Pulses of Underground Railroad and Anti-Slavery Activism: Ann Arbor." Underground Railroad Tour at the Historic First Congregational Church of Detroit. 29 October 2007 <http://the-ugrr.org/home/pulses.asp?ID=3&CityID=1>. "Timeline of the Anti-Slavery Movement in Michigan." Margaret Gardner. (18 June 2006). Detroit Opera House. 3 October 2007 <http://www.motopera.org/mg_ed/educational/Timeline.pdf>. "United States 1860." Along the Tracks: Michigan and the Underground Railroad. 3 October 2007 <http://www.si.umich.edu/ CHICO/AlongtheTracks/background.html>. "Wild Swan Theater Study Guide: Along the Tracks: Michigan and the Underground Railroad." Wild Swan Theater. 29 October 2007 <http://old.wildswantheater.org/documents/AlongtheTracksstudyguide.pdf>. Wright, Hannah Geddes. "The Geddes Farm, 1827-2003." (2007). Pittsfield Township Historical Society. 11 December 2007. <http://pittsfieldhistory.org/index.php?section=history&content=geddes#today>.

Created for Central Michigan University's HUM 797 Special Topics in Humanities:
The Underground Railroad in Literature, History, Film, and the Arts, with Dr. Maureen Eke

Last updated December 17, 2007 by Jennie Thomas