UNDERGROUND

RAILROADS IN
WESTERVILLE

Underground Railroads in Ohio

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 stated that any black
person suspected of being a runaway slave could be arrested
without warrant and turned over to a claimant on nothing
more than his sworn testimony of ownership. In spite of
these laws, central Ohio had more than twenty documented
Underground Railroad stations. Columbus was a crossroads
between the North and the South. Runaway slaves could be
caught and taken back. Those leading them to freedom were
conductors who were mostly African American.

Westervilles Role
The townspeople in Westerville had a reputation for their abolitionist
sentiments and a number of residents participated in the Underground
Railroad. Westerville was connected to the capital of Columbus by way of
a plank toll road. Travelers paid ten cents to travel on the road.
Several houses in Uptown Westerville were a big part of the
Underground Railroad. They were safe houses for runaway slaves. The
houses had secret rooms and trap doors that led to cellars that the
residents kept the fugitive slaves in. Slaves new a house was a Safe
House my certain markings, sometimes the signal was a candle in a
specific window of the home.

Benjamin Hanby and William

Hanby
Benjamin Hanby lived in Westerville as a teen and young man. His father William
Hanby was an abolitionist. Hanby House was a station on the Underground Railroad.
Benjamin Hanby became known for his song, "Darling Nelly Gray," which referred to
signals used on the Underground Railroad. Benjamin Hanby composed this song in
the Hanby house.The song "Darling Nelly Gray" was the story of an escaped slave
Joe Selby on his way to Canada to earn money to free Nelly Gray.
William Hanby was the 15th Bishop of the United Brethren in Christ Church. He
served as editor of the church newspaper,The Religious Telescope.He was an
abolitionist and opened his home as a station on the Underground Railroad. Bishop
Hanby was co-founder of Otterbein University. He also worked in the early
Temperance Movement against the use of alcohol.

Hanby House
The Hanby House is the former home of William and Ann (Miller) Hanby.
Built in 1846 at the corner of Main and Grove Streets, the Hanby family
occupied the house from 1853-1870. It has been moved twice, most recently
during the 1930s, to its present site which is just one block west of the original
location. William Hanby was an abolitionist and opened his home as a station
on the Underground Railroad. The house is on the National Register of Historic
Places and is designated as a significant Underground Railroad site by the
National Park Service.
Several people visit the historic house. All of Westervilles elementary
schools have visited the house on field trips. The Hanby House has gathered
some hometown fame, by other famous Ohioans visiting it. Orville Wright has
visited the house, and his signature can be seen in the old guest signing book.