| The early pioneers to Scioto Township were a
diverse group of people and one thing that made these families
different were their thoughts and experiences surrounding
slavery. Some of the early pioneers came from
slave-holding families while others participated in the cause
of freedom for all men as conductors on the Underground
Railroad.
Prior histories have identified locations in
Delaware County involved in the Underground Railroad, but
failed to identify the homes of the Cratty, Flannigan, and
Dodds families. Additionally, many have assumed the
paths through Delaware County would find there way to the
Scioto River where slaves would be led North to safety.
Yet, research reveals many times slaves brought into Scioto
Township were passed to the Benedict family near Alum Creek;
the Benedicts being in-laws to the Scioto Township
sympathizers.
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| William Siebert's
book, The Underground Railroad, published in 1898 identifies
over 3,000 UGRR conductors and agents which includes the
following names identified as having operated in Delaware County, Ohio:
Aaron Benedict, Aaron L. Benedict, Cyrus Benedict, Daniel
Benedict, G.G. Benedict, M.J. Benedict, John Cratty, Robert
Cratty, William
Cratty, Micajah Dillingham, William Dodds, Dea. Flannigan,
Giffith Levering, John Lewis, Joseph Mosher, Aaron L. Osborn,
Daniel Osborn, William Osborn, Samuel Ream, and Daniel Wood.
Delaware County participants are not limited to this
list. The list was comprised from the memories of those
living in the 1890's as well as newspaper accounts, court
cases, and other facts. Many participants were reluctant
to identify themselves being concerned for their safety and
the safety of the slaves who relied on their help.
Additionally, the list is diminished by the fact many people
were illiterate and didn't answer the call to record their
involvement. Siebert's book is criticized even today for
not having recorded a great number of blacks that were
involved, yet many of these people were illiterate or were
unavailable to interview having fled to localities that
welcomed them.
|
|
The 1820 Federal Census lends us
a glimpse into early black history
in Scioto Township. No Census was conducted in 1790 because the
lands were considered to be too hostile. And, the 1800 and 1810 Federal Census records have been
lost. The records for Scioto Township identify two "free color
persons"; one female, age 0-14, and one female, age
26-45. There are both living in the household of Jesse
Said. No other information can be found concerning
the relationship between these two black females and the
Said family. It should be noted the Said family came
from Kentucky where slavery was legal. |
