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The Story of David Ruggles The fiery black abolitionist left his mark on Florence. Now residents are taking steps to keep his memory alive. Page 16

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The Story of David Ruggles The fiery black abolitionist left his mark on Florence. Now residents are taking steps to keep his memory alive.

By Steve Pfarrer hen talk turns to the abolitionist move- ment in the first half of the 19th century, Wit’s commonly depicted as a push led by whites opposed to slavery, though a few prominent black names are also linked to the movement. Con- sider , one of the greatest black orators of the day, and , who became an early symbol both of feminism and black pride. Above, Boston abolitionist William

Lloyd Garrison, whom David committee Center uggles

But what about David Ruggles? R If the name doesn’t ring a bell, it might soon. A Ruggles treated with his water cure group of local historians aims to open a museum and in Florence in 1848. At right, the water cure business, then located research center dedicated to the history of early Flor- on Spring Street; the illustration ence, a center that will be based in large part around depicts an expansion of the the story of Ruggles, who lived in Florence for the complex by a new owner who took

better part of the 1840s. over after Ruggles died in 1849. courtesy Illustrations And it’s a major story, historians say, that’s re- mained largely untold. Ruggles was a free black man and leading abolitionist in the 1830s and 1840s who the Civil War, his reputation got kind of visiting,” says Strimer. “And early on, Boston (Garrison’s brother-in-law, George called not just for an end to slavery but for greater overtaken by events and other names,” Ruggles was by far the biggest of those Benson, was one of the co-founders of the equality for blacks in the northern United States – and Hodges says. “But in his day he was a three. We’ve been able to tell the story Northampton Association of Education he wasn’t afraid to use civil disobedience to make his truly remarkable personality among black of Sojourner Truth [in Florence]. Now and Industry, a Florence utopian commu- point. He landed in jail a number of times. One of the abolitionists.” we have the opportunity to tell Ruggles’ nity in the 1840s). A mid-20th-century nation’s first black journalists, a printer and a prolific Ruggles, Hodges notes, was also a big story. That’s exciting.” writer and librarian, Dorothy Porter, writer on abolition, he was also a key link on the influence on Sojourner Truth, helping wrote a number of articles about Ruggles in , helping to turn her into a fierce anti-slavery advo- History has not completely in various publications, but outside of send hundreds of escaped slaves, including Douglass, cate after the two met in Florence in the ignored David Ruggles. There are numer- that there hasn’t been much, says Hodges, further north to freedom. 1840s. ous 19th-century accounts of him and his who has written previous books about Along the way, Ruggles, who died in 1849 at age The David Ruggles Center for Early work, including mention in the Gazette early black history in America. 39, fought his own battles against racism, including Florence History & Underground Rail- in the 1840s. His own writing survives And whereas Truth, Douglass and an attempt by slave catchers to kidnap him and put road Studies (www.davidrugglescenter. in various publications, including an other 19th-century black leaders were him into bondage in the Deep South. He also suffered org) will be located in a historic house on abolitionist periodical he founded in New documented by photographers and artists, serious health problems, including near blindness, yet Nonotuck Street within walking distance York, The Mirror of Liberty. Frederick only one image of Ruggles is believed to pioneered a form of “water therapy” in Florence that of the statue of Truth erected in 2002. Douglass paid tribute to him years after exist today – a caricature from an 1838 became a popular treatment in its day. It will examine many aspects of Flor- his death, recalling for Charles Sheffield, political cartoon put out by a New York “David Ruggles is one of the unsung heroes of the ence history, says Strimer, from early author of the 1894 study “History of publisher, H.R. Robinson. abolitionist movement,” says Steve Strimer, a member industries to the arrival of a significant Florence Massachusetts,” how Ruggles, However, the cartoon, drawn by artist of the David Ruggles Center committee who has Irish-American community in the second a “man of sterling sense and worth ... had Edward W. Clay, might well provide an

uggles Center committee Center uggles half of the 19th century. Archives and assisted me as well as many other run- accurate image of Ruggles, according to become a central researcher of Florence’s history dur- R ing the past decade. “And he’s a key part of the unique rotating galleries will be part of the mix. away slaves, on the road to freedom.” Richard West, owner of Periodyssey in history we have here in Florence.” But describing Ruggles’ life, and the role But the past 100 years have paid Easthampton, a business that buys and Graham R. Hodges, a professor of history at Courtesy Florence played in the Underground Rail- him less attention, says Hodges, in part sells 19th- and early 20th-century Ameri- At left, the only known image of David road, is also of great importance, he says. because starting in the late 19th century, can periodicals. West discovered the February 20, 2009 20, February February 20, 2009 20, February Colgate University in New York who has a biography Ruggles, from an 1838 political cartoon. “Here we are in Florence in the early white scholars focused on the white lead- cartoon several years ago after obtaining of Ruggles due out next year, calls Ruggles a lead- West/Periodyssey Samuel ichard Ruggles is the middle of the three men. R ing national figure of his day, well known not just to Above, Sojourner Truth, who met Ruggles to mid-1840s, and we have three vital ers of the abolitionist movement, such as a collection of Robinson’s publications. members of the black community, but to many whites when the two lived in Florence in the 1840s; figures from the abolitionist movement William Lloyd Garrison, president of the “It’s really a portrait of Ruggles,” says inspired by his example, she became a as well. “In the turmoil of the 1850s, the run-up to Courtesy – Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth American Anti-Slavery Society and edi- West. “It doesn’t have any of the distorted fervent abolitionist herself. and David Ruggles – living here or tor of a major abolitionist newspaper in or exaggerated features of people that we 17 HAMPSHIRE LIFE, 16 HAMPSHIRE LIFE, 18 HAMPSHIRE LIFE, February 20, 2009 his life point to a few possibilities. gles to activism. But those who have researched able for that period.” looks human. That in itself is absolutely remark in some grotesque, monkey-like way: “[Ruggles] a U.S. publication did not depict a black person West says it was the first time that a drawing in that testifies to Ruggles’ historical significance: sentiment.” tionists,” adds West. “He was trying to mold publicwanted to discredit Ruggles and the other aboli the businesses he ran, including a bookstore. “He Ruggles accurately so that readers would shun opposed to abolition and likely wanted to portray cusing them of trying to extort money from him. confronted by a third white man, a slave owner ac wire-rimmed glasses. The three men are being leggings or stockings, as well as a pair of small white men; he wears a top hat, a dress jacket and tionists,” shows Ruggles standing between two drawing, captioned “The Disappointed Aboli often associate with these kind of cartoons.” The I The drawing also provides a footnote of sorts West says Robinson was a staunch conservative A compromise makes way for history t listen to Strimer’s arguments. “I’ve known Steve Harrity says he wasn’t happy, but was willing to architectural historian to do further research. 2007, halted the demolition plan and hired an the house had historical value and, in December included abolitionists. hood of working-class blacks and whites, which the house had been part of a mixed neighbor research and discovered that in the 19th century torian Steve Strimer learned of that, he did some small commercial building. When Florence his planned to tear it down and replace it with a house a few years ago and, unable to sell it, out a deal to preserve it. owner, local historians and town officials worked slated for the wrecking ball in 2007 before the that dates from 1849. The house, though, was be located in a modest house on History & Underground Railroad Studies – will real merit. “W By Steve Pfarrer Ruggles is The David Ruggles ’ s The city’s Historical L The museum/education center – its full title no eeds developer Jim Harrity acquired the t kno C enter, the expression appears to have But in the case of the future David ticularly tired cliche in many ways. in-win situation” has become a par w n ex C a C enter for c ommission agreed that t ly what led Rug N E onotuck Street arly Florence ------house, are slated to be built behind it. Three condominiums, in a style that blends with the 1849, will be the location of the David This house at 225 Nonotuck St., dating from about some wealthy white families, and Hodges says, schools in town. His mother did business with children, Ruggles was educated at religious charity of a local Methodist church. The oldest of seven caterer in the town and also a founding member a blacksmith, while his mother was a well-known 1810. His parents were free blacks. His father was history, Harrity warmed up to the proposal. house could serve as a center for some of that David Ruggles, and how the history,” he says. When Strimer told him about awhile, and he’s taught me a lot about Florence For starters, he was born in home of the Kris Thomson and From left, supporters Kimball Howes, Steve Strimer, R uggles Center. E mikan Sudan in the future N N orwich, onotuck Street R uggles Center. C onn., in

Gordon Daniels Gordon Daniels ervation and coming together – to make this happen.” has really worked hard – just a lot of cooperation the Ruggles they’d be in opposition,” says Mark Wamsleycoming of up against each other that looked like sibility of being pretty contentious – two forces of the house. The building will be modeled to match the style speople, in a two-story barn behind the house. with work and living space for artists and craft build three 2,000-square-foot condominiums, and make some renovations to the building. nations and bank loans to complete the purchase Day, is seeking an additional $150,000 from do which hopes to open the center by Memorial $150,000 grant from the city’s to buy the house from Harrity, primarily with a ing to bring about social justice,” he says. all about a time in history where people were try C achievement gap between races. “[The Ruggles that would research ways to close the education hopes one day to open a nonprofit center himself who has a doctorate in education. In fact he this project makes a lot of sense,” says Harrity, C ner. small grocery store. who were also living in Manhattan, he opened a N 1827 – the year slavery was officially abolished in dark complexion.” He moved to being “of ordinary size, with an athletic form and L little more Malcom likely also had a strong personality, perhaps “a give his son a solid footing. But she says RugglesRuggles’ father’s position in the community helpedity, to be spiritually powerful.” Her theory is that says, “that’s seen to have an almost mystical qual high regard. “It’s a really powerful position,” shelife. In his day, she says, blacksmiths were heldAmherst, in has been writing her thesis on Ruggles’ anthropology at the University of Massachusetts at with socially powerful whites.” and he became accustomed himself to dealing “He saw how his mother interacted with whites a level of prejudice and segregation in enter] is along the same kind of lines, since it’s uther enter committee and a doctoral student in The Ruggles “The whole project started out with the pos As part of the agreement, Harrity plans to “From a cultural and historical perspective, ew L But overall, says Hodges, Ruggles discovered Ruggles is described in one written account as inda Ziegenbein, a member of the Ruggles L Y ater, with the help of others from ork state – and worked for a time as a mari K C ing, Jr.” ommittee. The Ruggles center group, C enter committee. “But everyone C enter committee is preparing X and a little less early Martin C ommunity Pres N ew Y N N ork ew orwich C Y q ity in - ork

------— continued on Page 28 tions for an abolitionist newspaper, giving speeches of his own anti-slavery pamphlets, selling subscrip articles for abolitionist publications, printing some the idea. He became active on several fronts: writing by a cluster of young blacks who refused to accept posal, Hodges says, and he was joined in his anger compete with them for jobs. incompatible and worried that free blacks would whites also believed the two races were socially provoking slaves to rebel or escape. Many Northern ers favored the idea, fearing that free blacks were for shipping all free blacks to Africa. Slave own others called for “colonization” – a euphemism pation. Though some whites supported abolition, end immediately; others favored gradual emanci ment in New York. Some argued slavery needed to came caught up in the growing anti-slavery move anger about slavery and about racism.” reality of the situation pretty crushing – it fires his is very difficult for blacks, and I think he finds the that he hadn’t experienced before. “Finding work Ruggles was infuriated by the colonization pro By the early 1830s, Hodges notes, Ruggles be – shipping all free blacks to Africa. with Southerners and called for “colonization” in the community had business or social ties service: “This was not in very good taste.” Some the seating of a former slave at a First Church Town Hall. An 1843 Gazette article protested giving an anti-slavery speech at Northampton commune, once had rocks thrown at him while orator and former slave who visited the Florence bivalent. Frederick Douglass, the famed black toward slavery and the races was more am – living in Florence. blacks born in Southern states – former slaves Railroad; an 1850 census reveals a number of became an integral “spur” on the Underground Truth, among others, and Florence village also black abolitionists David Ruggles and Sojourner slavery. The Florence group became home to in shared wealth, women’s rights and abolishing Florence, the utopian community that believed ton Association of Education and Industry in Leeds. But 165 years ago, the reverse was true. the more conservative villages of Florence and T By Steve Pfarrer Florence has a feisty past In the late 1830s and early 1840s, Lydia Ma But in Northampton as a whole, the attitude The 1840s saw the creation of the Northamp downtown and center district flanked by ton is divided politically, with a liberal here’s a consensus today that Northamp ------published in a local paper, the Northampton Florence attached their names to an article 1850, in fact, 10 former slaves now living in who were seeking escaped slaves. In October authorities in Northern states assist Southerners Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which mandated thatpersonnel in town to comply with the federal sheriffs, magistrates or other law enforcement dent. well the nation’s first black school superinten a noted orator, writer and newspaper editor, as from his class in Oberlin College, later became to educate him. Day, the only black to graduate Howard Day, whose parents could not afford bright young boy from New York City, William mill. He also took into his home and raised a several escaped slaves in his Florence cotton ground Railroad “agent,” and that he employed Williston was likely the town’s principal Under Strimer says Northampton businessman J.P. endure the bigotry and intolerance that prevails.” nant there. My strong love of freedom could ill than Northampton ... the human soul is stag she wrote, “I never was in a place I liked less anti-slavery cause. In an 1839 letter to a friend, in Northampton indifferent or hostile to the just a small village – and found many people Boston, lived for a few years in Florence – then ria Child, a noted writer and abolitionist from century Florence history. particularly to the exterior. The Nonotuck Street houseThe will be included on walking tours that focus on 19th- In addition, there was no apparent effort by On the other hand, Florence historian Steve R uggles Center house is in good shape overall, supporters say, but still needs some renovations, - - - R in the mid-1860s. She helped bring an ailing David Writer and abolitionist , shown here with [the Fugitive Slave Act].” movement was strong, there was no compliance states like Massachusetts where the abolition developed roots here,” he says. “And in fact,people, in some of them homeowners, who had felt in their new home. “These were working speaks to the sense of community the ex-slaves protest the law. Courier, that announced a public meeting to uggles from New Strimer says that kind of open defiance likely Y ork City to Florence in 1842. q

Courtesy Ruggles Center committee

Gordon Daniels

19 HAMPSHIRE LIFE, February 20, 2009 28 HAMPSHIRE LIFE, February 20, 2009 and of God, I trust I shall not be discouraged.” and universal emancipation on to this work. Believing the cause of the welfare of my brethren in bonds; that urges me back.” himself,’ ” says Hodges. “He is intent on fighting cannot ask someone being kidnapped not to defend white anger. “He reaches a point where he says, ‘Welitionists who feared his tough tactics were stoking designated for blacks. his right to sit where he pleased, not in sections off a ferry and a train when he attempted to assert kicked down a flight of stairs. He was also thrown whites on a number of occasions – once being says Ruggles was openly assaulted by pro-slavery He also escaped a few lynching attempts. Hodges apartment to kidnap him and ship him to the South. ous white enemies. One group tried to break into his and a hero to many blacks. It also made him numer him a well-known name in the press, Hodges says, of Historic Places. Center – that is now listed on the National Register – close by the house slated to become the Ruggles Dorsey later bought a home on Nonotuck Street Maryland, Basil Dorsey, make his way to Florence; before moving to Boston. to New Bedford, where he found a job in a shipyard instead sent him along the Underground Railroad caulker, dissuaded him from going to Canada and Ruggles, learning Douglass had some skill as a ship a friendly sailor brought him to Ruggles’ store. Maryland. He was hiding by a Manhattan pier when Douglass, who in the fall of 1838 had fled from and gave shelter to runaway slaves like Frederick and alert them to the situation. He also raised money – even knocking on doors – to find black workers made a point of going into white neighborhoods they stayed for more than nine months. So Ruggles York from out of state were supposed to be freed if 1827 law ending slavery, slaves brought into New say. raising money for their defense, Hodges and Strimer demanding jury trials for kidnapped blacks and Southern ports. Ruggles’ group fought this practice, pack him or her aboard a waiting ship, bound for tify” a victim as a runaway in a brief hearing and crooked local judges, slave catchers would “iden person on the city’s streets. With the collusion ofpursuit of runaway slaves, would kidnap any black Vigilance to thwart Southern slave catchers who, in activists, he formed the New York Committee for slavery mob in 1835. notes. The shop, however, was destroyed by athe pro- first black to do so in the United States, Hodges and opening a bookstore – evidently making him (continued from Page 19) D As Ruggles once wrote, “My zeal is to promote Ruggles ended up breaking with some fellow abo Ruggles’ confrontational style and courage made Ruggles also helped another runaway slave from Linda Ziegenbein notes that under New York’s But Ruggles didn’t back down. With other black a v id Rugg les to be the cause of truth, immediate - - - runaway slave, an incident that became the subject ing to extort money from a slave owner seeking a more setbacks. He was falsely accused of attempt threats he faced, Ziegenbein says. Then came two possibly a result of stress from the assaults and other ous intestinal disorders and was rapidly going blind, health did not. By the late 1830s, Ruggles had seri they did in the fall of 1842. From there, Ruggles asked commune members to take Ruggles in, which about 200 people. a school and housing that would at one point hold Physically, it included a silk mill, adjacent farmland,and races, religious freedom and abolition of slavery.lieved in shared wealth, equality between the sexes Northampton businessman, Sam Hill, the group be forming. Founded by George Benson and another community in Florence, the Northampton Associa activist, got in touch with members of the utopian she learned of Ruggles’ problems. abolitionist newspaper in Manhattan. It was there some money Child took a position as editor of an sugarcane). The business was struggling, so to earn (as an alternative, Strimer says, to slave-grown a business trying to extract sugar from sugar beets she had been working with her husband, David, in moved to New York from Florence. In Florence “Over the River and Through the Woods” – had Maria Child – author of the famous poem/song Northampton. In the spring of 1841, writer Lydia homeless, and seemingly not far from death. secretary for several years. from the Vigilance Committee, where he had been per editor that ended with Ruggles having to resign Ruggles. He also had a dispute with a black newspa of the cartoon that today provides the only image of tion of aided hundreds of other runaway slaves. whom by A called n 1844 portrait of Frederick Douglass, reportedly done His His spirit may have held up, but his physical Responding to his wife’s request, David Lee Child Child, a fervent abolitionist and women’s rights By 1841, Ruggles, just 31, was broke, sometimes E lisha Hammond, a Florence abolitionist. Douglass, R

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r e cov e ry came from E I), that was - - - - - Courtesy Ruggles Center committee sible some of these latter clients were slave owners.come North for vacations. Ziegenbein says it’sthe posSouth, as some wealthy Southerners liked to ers coming from around the region, and even from business in the country, Hodges says, with custom home in Florence, he’d opened the first water cure as well. ing some other members of the Florence commune – he regained some of his sight, and he began treat crude – Ruggles called them “vague,” Porter writes Boston. Though his first efforts to treat himself were ing with a transplanted German homeopathist in later learned more through corresponding and meet earlier by an Austrian, Vincent Priessnitz, and he of the hydropathic technique, developed some years liver and chronic inflammation of the bowels. given him only more problems, such as an enlarged arsenic ... and other poisonous drugs,” which had leeched, cuffed, plastered, blistered ... dosed with treatment had consisted of being “repeatedly bled, in that era. contrast to the purgative medicine usually employed and other holistic techniques, which stood in stark – a health regime based on various baths, diet, rest what was called the “water cure,” or hydropathy slowly began nursing himself back to health with and David Ruggles will be at the center of that.” unfolding ... there is much more to learn, and to tell, exposure. “The history of black abolitionists is still Ruggles’ story – a story, he adds, that deserves morewill be opening a history center dedicated in part to spoke sadly of his passing in their obituaries. for burial. The Gazette and other local newspapers few days, took his body back to Norwich, Conn., and sister, who had been with him during his last complications from inflamed bowels. His mother 1849. He died in December, at 39, apparently of by Ruggles. speech in Northampton, at a presentation organized NA New York and Connecticut in 1843 and joined the Truth, the ex-slave who had come to Florence via publicly against slavery. He mentored Sojourner he did. And Ruggles kept writing and speaking runaway slaves; the evidence, they say, suggestshe used his business as a temporary sanctuary for one question they continue to research is whether Members of the Ruggles Center committee say locally, still made abolition a big part of his life. you could relax.” the cure – getting away from your daily routine so away,” Strimer says with a laugh. “That was part didn’tof like it when Ruggles took all his newspapersapparently had mixed feelings about his stay. “He ist, who stayed in the treatment center in 1848 and famous clients was Garrison, the Boston abolition Steve Pfarrer can be reached at [email protected]. By 1846, Ruggles had not only purchased his own According to Dorothy Porter, Ruggles had heard Indeed, Ruggles once wrote that his past medical Hodges says he’s pleased to know that Florence Health problems caught up with him again in But “Dr. Ruggles,” as he came to be known Steve Strimer notes that one of Ruggles’ more E I. Strimer says Truth gave her first anti-slavery q - - - - -