Woodlawn Farm Underground Railroad – Jacksonville, Illinois

Woodlawn Farm Underground Railroad – Jacksonville, Illinois

In the mid 1800s, Jacksonville acted as a the hub for Underground Railroad, sheltering hundreds who wished to escape the horrors of slavery. Several local historic homes served as havens on this journey to freedom, making Jacksonville one of the first such stations in the area and by far the busiest. 

The Underground Railroad was not a real railroad nor was it underground. It was a network of secret routes and antislavery believers who assisted the runaway slaves–or freedom seekers–as they followed the North Star to safety. Conductors assisted freedom seekers providing safe refuge, clothing, food, transportation and friendship. Such persons risked fines, imprisonment, and personal safety. Because of the danger, the routes and activity had to be kept secret.

Many of the freedom seekers coming to Jacksonville were from St. Louis. Benjamin Henderson and David Spencer were two free black men living in Jacksonville who did most of the driving. Elihu Wolcott, a deacon in the Congregational Church, was considered the Conductor-in-Chief of this endeavor and he was assisted by many brave men and women. African American freedom seekers began coming through Jacksonville in the late 1830s and continued until the 1860′s with the beginning of the Civil War.

WOODLAWN FARM In 1840 this home was built the 2 story brick home which stands to this day on the property. It was part of the underground railroad and available for tour.

GRIERSON HOME This home is now large, but the small home that was used to house the runaway slaves was incorporated into the house when it was expanded.

GILLETT HOUSE Dr. Gillett was an abolitionist who supported the Underground Railroad operations. Slaves were often kept in a large shack south of the house, now demolished and gone forever.

ASA TALCOTT HOME February 1844 a slave fleeing from his pursuers was helped by Illinois College students. The fugitive was found hiding in the Negro community, an area of Jacksonville called Africa, which was made up of former slaves and free Negroes. As news of the search spread, he was quickly hustled out of the Negro houses, across a ropewalk to a hiding place in the hay of Asa Talcott’s barn.

THE CLAY HOUSE This home at 1019 State Street was built around 1834 and sat on 6 acres of land. The home was owned by Elizabeth Hardin Clay who had married Porter Clay, a half-brother of Henry Clay. Mrs. Clay came from Kentucky with two slaves, Emily and Robert Logan, brother and sister, to whom she had promised freedom if they worked for her for four years. After living awhile in Jacksonville, the young people learned that Illinois was not a slave state so they should be free. Fearing that Mrs. Clay intended to send them back to Kentucky to be sold, they fled the home and sought refuge among friends. Robert was recaptured and sent by river back into slavery. Emily’s story continues when you visit the Congregational Church.

The tours of these homes will be a wonderful experience for anyone that has an interest in the Underground Railroad and the horrors experienced by those that were running for freedome.

TOURS AVAILABLE – CONTACT JACKSONVILLE AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU @ 1-800-593-5678