The Underground Railroad (Revised Edition) Volume 1

by William Still

Originally published in 1872 and out of print for many years, this landmark book presents firsthand accounts of slaves escaping north by way of the human support network known as the Underground Railroad. The narratives were painstakingly documented by William Still (1821-1902), a son of emancipated slaves who helped guide untold numbers of fugitives to safety as an Underground Railroad "conductor" based in Philadelphia.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made William Still's work extremely risky, both personally and for the clandestine operation he supervised for over a decade. Under the law, free northern states were prohibited from harboring so-called runaway slaves, and citizens who provided aid were subject to steep fines, civil penalties, and imprisonment. In spite of the risks, Still corresponded with, interviewed, and recorded the stories of hundreds of fugitives, concealing the records in a grave until the day they could safely be made public.

William Still's meticulous record keeping appears to have been unique among high-level Underground Railroad operatives. Certainly, no comparable history of the northern slave exodus has survived to this day. In terms of its scope and depth, The Underground Rail Road stands alone in documenting the extraordinary experiences of those who escaped slavery in mid-19th century America.

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1871

About the author

William Still is youngest child of Levin and Sidney Steel. He lived as a slave with his parents and seventeen brothers and sisters. Levin, Still's father escaped slavery in Maryland for freedom in New Jersey. Still's mother escaped later with the children, changing the family name to Still. She changed her first name to Charity.

When Still was 23, he left the family farm in New Jersey for Philadelphia, to seek his fortune. He arrived, friendless with only five dollars in his possession. Still taught himself to read so well, that in three years he was able to hold the position of secretary in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. Still provided the all-white society with his views on how to aid fugitive slaves since, he had been one himself. He was such an asset to the group, that he was elected chairman in 1851. Still held the position for the next ten years. He also became chairman of the Vigilance Committee in 1852.

During this time, Still used his house as one of the busiest stations on the Undergroung Railroad. He was awakened hundreds of times during the night to provide fugitives with the food and clothing he supplied for them. Still interviewed the fugitives and kept careful records of each so that family and friends might locate them. According to his records, William Still helped 649 slaves receive their freedom. In 1872, he published his records in a book entitled, The Underground Railroad.

In Philadelphia, Still founded an orphanage for the chidren of African-American soldiers and sailors. In 1860, he went into the stove business. Due to his success, he branched out into the coal business, earning the fortune he had moved to Philadelphia to seek. Still was later elected to the Philadelphia Board of Trade. In 1880, he was one of the organizers of the first African-American YMCA. After a long and prosperous life, William Still died in 1902.

Reviews

[Mathias · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Wikipedia explains, «The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century, and used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states and Canada. The scheme was assisted by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees.»

This book from 1872 is a collection of Underground Railroad fugitive stories. It was put together by the abolitionist William Still. As such it is an important historical document but it’s not the most interesting book to read or listen to.

The book also features letters from Thomas Garrett, abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad.

In one letter, a N. R. Johnston writes strongly emotional: “It is the Devil's Government, and God will destroy it.”