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follow the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD to freedom
By Carol Reed

The term “Underground Railroad” became code for covert, protected escape routes from the South to the North. Houses where escaping slaves could find shelter were called “stations,” and sympathetic helpers were called “conductors.” Escape routes were often hidden in quilt designs or in songs such as “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” These gave secret, coded directions to slaves escaping from Alabama and Mississippi in the 1820s. The “drinking gourd” refers to the constellation “Big Dipper.” At the end of the dipper is the North Star, which became an emblem of independence as well as a guide star for runaway slaves. Many of the “conductors” were Quakers and free Blacks from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Of course the most famous of these conductors was the escaped slave Harriet Tubman who initially settled in Philadelphia. It is said that she was so devoted to helping slaves in escaping that she threatened to shoot anyone who would turn back. She freed over 300 slaves and is to this day a beacon to all those who love freedom. The best part for us as a region is that we are a part of this great tradition: no other state surpassed New Jersey in the number of communities that served as Underground Railroad safe-houses and Philadelphia was a much heralded Mecca for slaves. 

Take a journey to see and experience first-hand some of the stops on the Underground Railroad that have been preserved in our area. Here are a couple stops on the Underground Railroad that may not be as well traveled as others:

The Peter Mott House, 26 Kings Court, Lawnside, N.J., built in 1844, is one of the few remaining sites that was owned and run by an African-American in a historically all-black community. Mott was a free black farmer who also served as the minister of Lawnside’s Mt. Pisgah AME Church. The Borough of Lawnside, eight miles north of Camden, is the only historically African-American incorporated municipality in the northern United States. It dates to Colonial times as a settlement of people of color. The Lawnside Historical Society preserves and maintains the Peter Mott House. The restored house and museum are open to the public and are listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. It is open from noon to three on Saturdays for a minimal donation. Visit the Web site at www.petermotthouse.org  or call 856.546.8850. 

Burlington Pharmacy at 301 High Street in Burlington City, N.J., constructed in 1731, still stands as an operating business today. It is New Jersey’s oldest pharmacy, and, according to tradition, was used as a shelter for runaways with tunnels (or an arcaded basement) under this building where slaves could hide. It was owned by a Quaker abolitionist named William Allison in the pre-Civil War era. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier was said to have denounced slavery from the Pharmacy doorstep.

The Pharmacy is part of a self-guided walking tour that can be accessed by visiting www.tourburlington.org/TourUGRR.html

The Grubb Estate, at 48 Riverbank in Burlington N.J. was the home of the Grubb family who were dedicated abolitionists, and were said to have built tunnels from the riverbank under their home for the concealment of runaway slaves. The Grubbs operated the first tavern in Burlington, also developing businesses in mining and manufacturing. The estate contained a tannery, a brewery, and a brickyard. It is possible that the water channels necessary to run the tannery and brewery may have given rise to rumors of underground escape tunnels. But perhaps they served more than one purpose. Why not explore for yourselves?

The Johnson House Historic Site at 6306 on Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia, Pa. is a 240-year-old National Historic Landmark and Underground Railroad station, located at the corner of Washington Lane and Germantown Avenue. It’s being preserved by the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its importance to American history, and you can take advantage by stopping by and participating in the many special events that are planned throughout the year. One program highlights “one of Philadelphia’s leading Underground Railroad ‘conductors’, William Still, who assisted untold numbers of fugitives heading north to freedom…hear his words as spoken by one of his descendants.” Books and other memorabilia are available for purchase. Visit the Web site at  www.johnsonhouse.org  or call 215.438.1768.

The history of the Underground Railroad is filled with heroes and heroines, with names known and unknown. Yet all risked their lives in the flight to freedom. Stories tell of men like Henry “Box” Brown, who actually mailed himself North inside a train shipping-crate. Our history is filled with such unpretentious, yet brave individuals who helped shape our history, so experience their courage and conviction with a trip on the Underground Railroad—and these are just a sampling of the many treasures of American culture in our area.

Carol Reed is a middle school teacher & freelance journalist who specializes in travel writing. Carol’s journeys have taken her as close to home as the New Jersey Pines & as far as the islands in the Caribbean, New Zealand & Australia.