Underground Railroad Church Saints
William Still
William Still (1821 - 1902) was a Black Abolitionist, he was known as the ‘Father’ of the Underground Railroad; he helped as many as 800 of our enslaved Ancestors escape to freedom. He interviewed each person and kept careful records, including a brief biography and the destination for each, along with any alias adopted. Still kept his records carefully hidden but knew the accounts would be critical in aiding the future reunion of family members who became separated under slavery. Still was a member of the Freedmen’s Aid Commission, organized one of the first YMCAs for Black youth, and assisted in the management of homes for the aged and destitute Black children as well as an orphan asylum for children of Black soldiers and sailors. Still was extremely committed and very courageous risking his own freedom assisting fugitive Africans.
William Still (1821 - 1902) was a Black Abolitionist, he was known as the ‘Father’ of the Underground Railroad; he helped as many as 800 of our enslaved Ancestors escape to freedom. He interviewed each person and kept careful records, including a brief biography and the destination for each, along with any alias adopted. Still kept his records carefully hidden but knew the accounts would be critical in aiding the future reunion of family members who became separated under slavery. Still was a member of the Freedmen’s Aid Commission, organized one of the first YMCAs for Black youth, and assisted in the management of homes for the aged and destitute Black children as well as an orphan asylum for children of Black soldiers and sailors. Still was extremely committed and very courageous risking his own freedom assisting fugitive Africans.
David Ruggles
David Ruggles (1810-1849) was a Black abolitionist, editor, writer, organizer of the New York Committee of Vigilance and famed conductor of the Underground Railroad. Later, Ruggles became a doctor of hydrotherapy in a desperate effort to save his own life and that of others. He was also known for his gifted 'healing hands' for his ability to diagnose ailments by his sense of touch called 'cutaneous electricity'. Ruggles was renown for his unflinching courage in the battle against slave catchers, kidnappers, and illicit slave traders. David Ruggles led more than 600 fugitive slaves to freedom in the North including Frederick Douglass. He was the first Black bookseller and operated the first Black lending library in the nation. His magazine, the Mirror of Liberty, was the first periodical published by an African American.
David Ruggles (1810-1849) was a Black abolitionist, editor, writer, organizer of the New York Committee of Vigilance and famed conductor of the Underground Railroad. Later, Ruggles became a doctor of hydrotherapy in a desperate effort to save his own life and that of others. He was also known for his gifted 'healing hands' for his ability to diagnose ailments by his sense of touch called 'cutaneous electricity'. Ruggles was renown for his unflinching courage in the battle against slave catchers, kidnappers, and illicit slave traders. David Ruggles led more than 600 fugitive slaves to freedom in the North including Frederick Douglass. He was the first Black bookseller and operated the first Black lending library in the nation. His magazine, the Mirror of Liberty, was the first periodical published by an African American.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman (1822 - 1913), Araminta was Harriet’s real name, the only name God spoke to her in. She was a great ‘General Moses’ of her people leading them to freedom from slavery through the Underground Railroad, never losing a passenger! Araminta was also a ‘root doctor’, she was taught herbal medicine by her father. During the Civil War she cared for wounded Black soldiers as the matron of the Colored Hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Acting as a nurse she made tea from Cranes Bill (Wild Geranium) to cure union troops dying of dysentery. After the Civil War she raised money for ex-slaves freedmen’s schools and helped destitute Black children. Araminta is our ‘Matron Saint’, a true servant of Black people, her symbol is the wild geranium representing freedom, courage, and healing.
Harriet Tubman (1822 - 1913), Araminta was Harriet’s real name, the only name God spoke to her in. She was a great ‘General Moses’ of her people leading them to freedom from slavery through the Underground Railroad, never losing a passenger! Araminta was also a ‘root doctor’, she was taught herbal medicine by her father. During the Civil War she cared for wounded Black soldiers as the matron of the Colored Hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Acting as a nurse she made tea from Cranes Bill (Wild Geranium) to cure union troops dying of dysentery. After the Civil War she raised money for ex-slaves freedmen’s schools and helped destitute Black children. Araminta is our ‘Matron Saint’, a true servant of Black people, her symbol is the wild geranium representing freedom, courage, and healing.