Some of the most important human rights issues in American History trace their origins to a small Madison County Hamlet. The small township and a key figure proved critical in the fight for freedom and equality.
Historian Norman Dann describes the barn on the Gerrit Smith Estate, in Peterboro, NY. "this became an active spot on underground railroad. As man as 1000 runaway former slaves came through here”
The Gerrit Smith Estate was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001, and by some accounts the town was considered the center of abolition 40 years before the civil war.
“ (Smith) he gave any runaway slave going through here, money, food transportation… and even Harriet Tubman remarked when she came through here because when she reached Peterboro, the trip to Canada was a cinch,” said Dann.
Dann has written 13 books about Peterboro and Smith’s immense support for runaway slaves and abolition activities, including funding Tubman, Frederick Douglas, John Brown and others.
Smith took over the land speculation business of his father Peter Smith – a slave owner – a made a decision about the family fortune
“Gerritt, became what we would recognize as a multi-billionaire. And he didn't want the money, and he wouldn't let his family use it beyond their needs. And so he decided it was for the benefit of people who were worse off than they were, especially relative to human rights issues,” He explained.
But his commitment went deeper. Smith also used his family’s wealth to buy entire families out of slavery, freeing them and giving out jobs and land to help them forge a new life, building an enduring legacy for him and the hamlet.
Peterboro, NY is home to the National Abolitionist Hall of Fame
"The ceiling is original. That's A chestnut ceiling. That ceiling, if it could talk, could reflect back the voices of just about everybody you could think of (in the abolitionist movement)," remarked John Bowen, Board Member of the National Abolition Hall of Fame.
It’s those people and their stories housed here in the National Abolitionist Hall of Fame in a building Gerritt Smith purchased for preservation. Bowen explained visitors are often interested in the sacrifice perhaps forgotten people made for the cause.
"Calvin Fairbank over here. He spent 17 years in prison. Hard labor for helping people escape slavery. Hard labor, 35,000 lashes over the course of his imprisonment. I mean, that guy's a hero," said Bowen. "And so many more here. Jonathan Walker, the man with the branded hand. He was branded as official punishment for helping people to escape slavery. He had SS branded on the palm of his hand, slave stealing."
Bowen admits the small gallery, upstairs from the town offices, could and should tell the larger story of abolition’s personal sacrifices, if they had more resources. But that doesn't diminish the impacts, "the heroism of these people, what they faced. Today we think, oh, well, yeah, easy to oppose slavery. I mean, it's evil. That's a no-brainer. But during the time these people were active, they suffered physical harm; They were shunned by their communities; Economic deprivation; They went through a lot of struggle."
Just a couple blocks away is another testament to the town’s impact, with Smith’s philanthropic touch on it
Here in the Peterboro Museum, longtime resident Beth Spokowsky described the impact of another of Gerrit Smith’s important causes, a schoolhouse and residence for destitute children – including those of former slaves. The home and school ran from 1871 until 1926
"Some were orphans, but some of them, came from very large farm families. And, you know, say the mother died. And the father just could not do everything, and he could not take care of all these (children). So, he'd bring the kids, some of them, to the home and leave them here," said Spokowsky.
The old schoolhouse became the museum in 1975. In addition to artifacts of the age, it includes exhibits of individual stories and telling pictures of headstones found int he area.
"And so this stone is up in the cemetery. But I think there's stones. It's hard to read. But I think they say born a slave, died a free woman. And this one I thought said born a slave, died a free man," said Spokowsky.
In just about all cases, their freedom was because Gerritt Smith – and Peterboro -- housed their escape, funded their freedom and served as a staunch front for human rights starting more than 40 years before the civil war and finally freedom through abolition.
New York State is creating the Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad Byway … which required every municipality from New York City to Niagara Falls. Historian Dot Willsey tirelessly promotes the small town and its history … and is looking forward to being included by travelers. "They leave the main drag and dip down into Madison County to include Peterboro. We’re proud to say we were the first county to have all the resolutions.”
The Byway is expected to bring more attention to Peterboro and help tell its story once tourists of history start to use it.
"Yes it will. It will take time. We need to be more visitor ready and there will be more income and funding to provide better and more (attractions)," said Willsey.
This small hamlet, in the center of immense social movements … may be the most important small town in history that you’ve never heard of.
