Some People who Helped Slaves in the Underground Railroad:
- John Rankin- An abolitionist for runaway slaves. He lived in a town named Ripley were he was known for helping runaway slaves reach freedom. Knowing this, slave catchers and curious individuals would show up at his door step, questioning him on his acts. John believed that having random people at his home was unsafe for his family, so they decided to move to the top of hill, overlooking the town. Out of view from the nosy neighbors, him and his family would light a lantern on a flagpole, signaling fleeing slaves when it was safe for them to cross the Ohio River.
- John Brown- He helped slaves from many states escape north to Canada. He began helping the slaves after he moved to Massachusetts in 1846. In 1849, he moved to New York. he helped slaves in New York for six years. He was really starting to hate slavery. In 1851, Brown participated in and helped the Underground Railroad protect and hide slaves from slave catchers.
- Harriet Tubman- Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made more than thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She later helped John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era struggled for women’s suffrage.