Tag Archives: Underground railroad

Rev. Henry Brown

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Rev. Henry Brown (1823-1906) was an African Methodist Episcopal preacher in Springfield and elsewhere. He worked in various capacities for the Abraham Lincoln family and led “Old Bob,” the Lincoln family horse, in President Lincoln’s funeral procession. He also was … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Churches, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

William Donnegan’s memoir of the Underground Railroad

Posted on October 29, 2013 by editor

William Donnegan, an 80-year-old black cobbler and entrepreneur who was lynched during the Springfield Race Riot of 1908, earlier wrote a memoir about his role in helping an enslaved black woman travel through Springfield on her way to Canada in … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, African Americans, Ethnic groups, Law enforcement, Prominent figures, Race riot of 1908 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Erastus Wright

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

Erastus Wright (1779-1870) was a teacher, businessman, public official and farmer in a varied career spent mostly in central Illinois. He also was an early Springfield abolitionist and was one of Abraham Lincoln’s pallbearers. Wright was born in Massachusetts and traveled with … Continue reading →

Posted in Abolitionism, Churches, Early residents, Education, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Railroads | Tagged | 2 Comments

Jameson Jenkins

Posted on April 13, 2013 by editor

(Alternative spellings: Jamieson Jenkins, Jimison Jarkins) Jameson Jenkins (1810?-1873) was an African American drayman – a carter or teamster – in Springfield from the late 1840s through the 1860s. He was a neighbor of the Lincoln family and was active … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Early residents, Ethnic groups, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , , | 4 Comments