National Park Service The Underground Railroad Pacific West Region Department of the Interior

The Quest for Freedom Moves West African Americans joined thousands of California-bound gold seekers, crowding San Francisco Bay with ships. SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NHP 1848-1869 A Chronology of African American Firsts in the Development of Early California 1579 Drake lands the Golden Hinde 1835 Black sailor Allen Light deserts 1850 Black mountain man James P. • Biddy Mason and her family gain on the coast of Northern California. brig Pilgrim in Santa Barbara. He later Beckwourth discovers the lowest pass freedom through court decision against Four African slaves from Spanish becomes a influential Mexican official to cross the Sierra. He leads a party of their former slaveowner. colonies become the first in California. of San Diego. settlers to Marysville. 1860 California blacks total 4,086, with A black placer gold miner shovels paydirt at Auburn Ravine in 1852. BANCROFT LIBRARY 1776 Anza establishes future site of 1841 Black ship captain William • Census shows 962 blacks among 118 residing in Marysville, 88 in Stockton San Francisco, with 240 colonists and Leidesdorff arrives in Yerba Buena, 92,597 residents. and only 12 in Los Angeles. HE DISCOVERY OF GOLD at Sutter's Mill in information. It is hoped that readers of this publica­ Whether rowboat across the Ohio River, coastal soldiers includes people of mixed becomes an entrepreneur and civic 1848 sparked a worldwide migration of people tion will be stimulated to seek new sources of schooner, transatlantic steamer or Cape Horn whaler, African, Indian and Spanish heritage. leader before his death in 1848. 1852 Two dozen slaves help Church 1865 Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Tthat helped shape California and the American information to expand on what is now known. It is maritime routes were most commonly used by of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Constitution abolishes slavery. West. Often overlooked is the role African Americans possible that relevant material, such as newspa­ escapees. Water allowed the runaway to put 1781 Spanish establish pueblo of Los 1846 Slave "Mary" comes from members establish San Bernardino. played in the development of the rapidly transforming pers, documents and photographs, will be located in distance and a barrier between himself and Angeles. Over half of the original 46 Missouri with master and settles in 1866 Fourteenth Amendment gives society. By 1852 about 2,000 blacks lived in the attics, basements or garages. It is also hoped that recapture. Black seamen often assisted slaves to settlers have African ancestry. San Jose, where she gains her • Passage of state Fugitive Slave Law African Americans equal protection state, and although they represented only 1% of the family stories of the period can provide an oral escape from Southern ports by bringing them freedom. protects rights of owners until 1855. under the laws of the country. total population, the lives of these pioneers stand as history of people involved in battling slavery in onboard ships as stowaways on journeys to Northern 1826 Black mountain man Peter a testimony to determination and achievement in the California. The National Park Service is currently ports. White officers, sailors, dockworkers and ship Raney enters Southern California • The Bear Flag Revolt against 1854 First school for black children in 1869 Fifteenth Amendment guarantees face of adversity. Some free blacks from Northern facilitating a program to commemorate and interpret company representatives also helped runaways on with Jedediah Smith's Rocky Mexico includes African Americans California opens at St. Cyprian AME male citizens equal voting rights. communities hoped to strike it rich and return home the Underground Railroad. Those interested in their journey to freedom. Protection papers were Mountain Fur Company party of Charles Gains, John Grider, Joe Church in San Francisco. in triumph, while the majority hoped to find high- learning more please refer to the information at the important documents for black seamen in the 19th exploration. McAfee and Billy Gaston. wage jobs and settle permanently with their families end of this brochure. century. These certificates of proof of citizenship in a society free from racial prejudice. It is estimated were carried by all American sailors and the physical long sea voyages and the physical danger associ­ slavery was still practiced for many years after its Mary Ellen Pleasant, that approximately 600 enslaved African Americans The Underground Railroad descriptions listed on them were often vague and fit ated with the trade. Whalers were used to assist legal abolition. Some slaveholders tried to hide a New England were brought from Southern states to labor in the The Underground Railroad was part of the most one man as well as another. Papers were often runaways to ultimate freedom because the long enslaved people in remote mining and rural areas to Underground gold fields and the developing cities. Some were important civil and human rights movement of the forged, stolen or traded. In 1838 Frederick Douglass, voyages at sea made recapture difficult. An article avoid possible loss. Railroad agent, fled given the opportunity to purchase freedom for 19th century-the abolition of slavery. Although trains famous abolitionist leader, walked away from in the New Bedford Mercury in 1851 advised to California to avoid themselves and their families and remain in bondage in Baltimore, disguised as a sailor with a and secret tunnels are part of the story, the Under­ runaways to consider California a place of safety Many Southern slaveowners saw the Gold Rush as prosecution under California, but others were sent back into Southern borrowed protection paper in his pocket. ground Railroad is a figurative term describing a and suggested single men seek employment on a chance to extend slavery into Western territory. the Fugitive Slave slavery by their owners. loose network of people who helped escaped slaves whalers to the Pacific. By this period the primary They felt little risk in bringing small numbers of Law of 1850. During to safety and freedom in the North, the West, Bicoastal Connections whaling grounds were found in the waters of the slaves to California because they believed that the the Gold Rush she Although many are surprised to learn of the Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. Most As well as being the world's whaling capital in mid- Pacific. Ships bound for Hawaii, Japan or the Arctic National Fugitive Slave Law, passed as part of the gave financial aid to existence of slavery in California, it was a defining often, the term is associated with formal escape century, New Bedford, Massachusetts was a center often stopped in California ports for supplies and Compromise of 1850, would support their claims. escaped slaves and issue in the early years of American control. When networks that involved safe houses, secret codes, of Underground Railroad activity in the years before shelter during winter months. Some slaves brought to California were given the fought injustice the state entered the Union as part of the Compro­ hiding places and secret passages. Free blacks were the Civil War. It had one of the highest percentages opportunity to gain freedom through arrangements through the courts. mise of 1850, its new anti-slavery constitution failed the prime organizers of these groups, especially of Southern-born African Americans, with an So far, few runaways have been identified among with slaveholders. Some were allowed to purchase to address specifics regarding the issue of slavery. between 1850-1860. and black churches often acted estimated 700 runaways living there during the whaling or merchant ship crews, or as passengers freedom for themselves and family members, while Because of these omissions the state became a new as Underground Railroad stations. Although 1850s. New Bedford's strong involvement in anti- because it was important to hide their identity and others gained release from bondage by working arena in the national battle over slavery, with assistance was also provided by whites (especially slavery activity resulted from several factors. origin through false names and documents. Further for a specific period of time. Self-liberation was SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC abolitionists, free blacks and runaways allied against Quakers), Indians and Mexicans, some runaways Quakers and other liberal religious groups domi­ research is needed to develop the maritime chosen by the bold, who knew that in the early LIBRARY, HOLDRIDGE the institution of slavery. Many of the structures and received little assistance to their efforts. They relied nated the political, economic and moral develop­ connections of the Underground Railroad. By years no police system existed to keep them in COLLECTION attitudes developed during this period still have upon their own wits and courage and occasional help ment of the community and anti-slavery sentiment examination and careful comparison of crew lists, servile roles, and they escaped, heading out for effects in our contemporary society. The efforts of from sympathetic individuals. Those who helped did was strong among them. shipping articles, cargo manifests, ships' registers, "parts unknown." was strong at the time, there was a fear that the abolitionists and Underground Railroad operatives to so on a case-by-case basis, providing food, shelter, protection papers and port records, the stories of subject of slavery would complicate matters of ensure freedom for all evolved after the Civil War into clothing and directions. Though they were not part of The city was part of an extensive coastal trading these escapees can be developed. It is ironic that White miners feared competition from slave labor in admission to the Union. The new constitution left the the civil and human rights movements of today. a formal organization, they are also consid­ system that extended into Southern ports. Runaways ships were critical for transporting Africans into the Gold Fields. They resented the idea of profit status of slaves who arrived before and after ered to be part of the Under­ took advantage of this transportation network by slavery and that they later became as vital in going to the master who did no work and they feared admission undefined, and no provision was made The purpose of this pamphlet is to educate people ground Railroad. stowing away, often with the assistance of crewmen, transporting African Americans to freedom. the wealth and control that Southern aristocrats stating how long blacks could be held in bondage in concerning anti-slavery activities, such as the on ships bound for New England. In New Bedford would gain. As defenders of free labor, white miners the "free state." These issues were left for the first Underground Railroad, that took place in they found a network of black and white members of Slavery in California were worried that slaves would be freed and legislature to decide when it was formed. In California from 1848-1869. anti-slavery organizations. Black boardinghouses The existence of slavery in California and its represent a pool of cheap labor to compete with December the first state assembly passed an anti- Information can be difficult to were open to runaways and a school was opened to importance to the development of the state has often them. Free black miners sought to avoid conflict or Negro immigration bill, which would have banned all locate because of the illegal educate their children. The city's need for labor was been neglected in historical works. Many today harassment by working in partnership with white blacks from living in the state. David Broderick, a nature of slave escapes. The great and employment could be found in factories believe that slavery was banned in California by the miners, especially New England anti-slavery men, or former New York Democrat, led opposition and the runaway feared recapture, producing rope, sails, candles and whale oil. Compromise of 1850. However, a look at primary by working in areas that had Mexican or Chinese bill was defeated in the state senate. However, physical punishment and source material provides an abundance of proof that miners. In Yuba County an African American mining because of loopholes in the state's laws, both free death, and those who aided The maritime trades historically allowed black shows otherwise. Newspapers describe slave company likely found satisfaction by naming their and enslaved African Americans continued to arrive. feared persecution, prosecution participation at a time when opportunities ashore escapes, ads offer slaves for sale, and court records operation the "Sweet Vengeance Mine." and imprisonment. Many former were greatly limited. Between 1803 and 1860 list freedom papers and cases involving enslave­ Fugitive slave cases were decided in courts on a slaves concealed their identities African Americans represented about 10% of the ment. It is estimated that at any time there were case-by-case basis. Decisions depended on the A runaway slave advertisement, 1852. Legalization of Slavery in California by changing names and places of SAN FRANCISCO HERALD crew members on American ships. The whaling between 200-300 enslaved African Americans in During the fall of 1849 delegates met at Colton Hall judge's sympathies and both pro and anti-slavery birth, so official records are not industry offered the greatest employment opportuni­ mining areas. In addition, California Indians also in Monterey and produced an anti-slavery constitu­ forces found some success, until California passed a always the best sources of ties for blacks because of the hard work, poor pay, were held as slaves during this period. De facto tion. Although Southern political power in California Fugitive Slave Law in 1852. Similar to the national law, the California law protected the rights of the Among the convention On To California Black Gold Fields of California 1848-1878 slaveowner. The law allowed for temporary residence delegates were During the Gold Rush ships trans­ of slaveholders, who could bring slaves to work in Underground Railroad ported both free and enslaved Af California, sell these slaves or return South with operatives Mifflin Gibbs rican Americans to California. them. Anyone who arrived in California before from Philadelphia, Sea routes from Northern statehood as either a slave or a runaway was still a Jeremiah Sanderson ports usually began in slave. If an escaped slave was located he was from New Bedford, New York, Philadelphia subject to recapture. After passage of the law a David Ruggles from or New Bedford, while highly organized effort was developed, with anti- New York and William those from Southern slavery meetings held, funds raised and white Yates from Washington, ports usually began abolitionist lawyers hired to prove the law unconstitu­ D.C. The Executive in New Orleans or tional. The Fugitive Slave Law was allowed to expire Committee of the the port cities of in 1855, but in three years many blacks were carried Colored Convention was Virginia and back into slavery. Eventually, a series of court formed after the 1855 Florida. Attracted decisions would uphold California African Americans' meeting. In The Negro by newspaper ad­ status as free from bondage. Trail Blazers of vertisements and California (1919), author because of their Anti-slavery Activity Delilah L. Beasley familiarity with maritime trades, Abolitionist leaders made California a battleground in claims that activities of the majority of the national movement against slavery. Literary the Executive Commit­ free blacks and societies, political conventions, church groups and tee were part of the runaways migrated civil rights organizations met to discuss the best way Underground Railroad. by sea. The fastest to help those held in bondage. African American In addition to raising trip began with travel churches, fraternal and political organizations money for legal cases from New York to provided assistance to runaways. Three colored and gathering signa­ Barbershops, such as the Mint in Oakland, served as m important community Panama by steamer, a conventions were held in the state between 1855 and tures on petitions, the information centers. AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY OF OAKLAND trip across the isthmus 1857, the first two in Sacramento and the last in San Committee assisted Francisco. The delegates hoped to achieve basic fugitives in a variety of and another steamship ride rights, including those of testimony, franchise and ways. They provided temporary lodging, purchased Beasley states that the Executive Committee on the Pacific side to San education. The three conventions were an effective food and medicine, gave jobs and small amounts of formed a secret code system to transmit news Francisco Bay. This way was training ground for black leadership. money and legal protection against kidnappers. around a state where there was no telegraph or 8,000 miles shorter than the 14,000- rapid mail system. The agents of this secret system mile journey around Cape Horn. Forty- were African American barbers in almost all two whalers and a great many other merchant communities around the state. Coded messages ships were refitted to carry goods and passen­ gers to California by way of the Horn. Companies Delilah L. Beasley were relayed around the state by land and by the inland waterways, which were the main highways of were organized based on shares, vessels pur­ the day. Members of the Executive Committee chased and provisioned and the rush was on. Delilah L. Beasley (1866-1934) was the first African American traveled to isolated parts of the state and liberated Frederick Douglass claimed that 40 African Ameri­ woman to write for a major metropolitan daily newspaper. In blacks still held in servile relationships. After cans from New Bedford were in California by 1850. her Oakland Tribune column she wrote about the lives and informing them of their free status they provided activities of blacks, both locally and nationally. For more transportation and other aids to resettlement. Their From Southern ports, sea routes began with a trip The towns, bars, anddiggings where African Americans actively engaged in than ten years she traveled widely in California interview­ efforts extended to areas, such as San Jose, to Cuba or New Orleans, where the steamers to gold mining. Many sites have just recently been identified. The derogatory ing elderly black pioneers and examining documents in Stockton, Napa and Red Bluff, where slavery is Panama were based. Many slaveowners used the names of some of these sites reflect the attitudes that prevailed during the libraries, archives and local records offices. Her re­ generally believed to exist. Panama route to reach California with their slaves. Gold Rush period. search resulted in the Negro Trail Blazers of California Slavery was illegal in Panama and native blacks (1919), the first comprehensive work on the important often encouraged bondsmen to escape into local JOE MOORE, SACRAMENTO AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURAL SOCIETY role played by African Americans in the development Departure for British Columbia society. This loosely structured activity gives a of California. In addition to biographical sketches of In 1858 California's last and most famous fugitive new international element to the story of the Un­ notable people, she has listed the names of over 200 slave case took place. It revolved around Archy Selected Reading List derground Railroad. individuals, the year of their arrival and the location Lee, a young African American man who was of their settlement. Although the lack of citation of brought in bondage from Mississippi in 1857. After Beasley, Delilah L. The Negro Trail Blazers of Cali­ Lapp, Rudolph M. Blacks in Gold Rush California. sources has frustrated modern researchers, the value several months his owner attempted to send The overland routes required that journeys begin fornia. Los Angeles: Times Mirror Publishing and New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977. of her work cannot be underestimated. She has pro­ Archy back South, but he refused to leave and in the spring when the weather was favorable and Binding House, 1919. vided a list of clues that can lead to unexplored lawyers were hired to defend his freedom. The fodder for stock animals was available. Journeys Parker, Elizabeth L. and James Abijian. sources of information, such as black newspapers, chief attorney on his defense team was Edward D. by land also needed to be completed by the on­ Berwanger, Eugene H. The Frontier Against Slavery: A Walking Tour of the Black Presence in San Fran­ photographs, journals, diaries, letters, family Bibles, Baker, a Republican leader in the state and a set of the next winter. Free and enslaved African Western Anti-Negro Prejudice and the Slavery Ex­ cisco During the Nineteenth Century. San Fran­ and local records. As more information is collected, in­ personal friend of President Lincoln from Illinois. Americans who traveled overland were always tension Controversy. Chicago: University of Illinois cisco: San Francisco African American Historical cluding family stories and oral histories, and existing Archy received his freedom from the court, but the part of companies organized and led by whites. Press, 1967. and Cultural Society, 1999. material is reinterpreted, a more complete understanding case reminded African Americans that their Slaves were put to work as cooks, servants or of the early history of African Americans in California and freedom was still not secure in California. teamsters on the long and dangerous journey Bibbs, Susheel Mary Ellen Pleasant: Mother of Civil Thurman, Sue Bailey. Pioneers of Negro Origin in the links to the present will be developed. The story of the Meetings were held and discussion was raised across the continent. Some slaves escaped and Rights in California http://hometown.aol.com/ California. San Francisco: Acme Publishing Com­ Underground Railroad in the West is a work in progress and any concerning relocation to either Mexico or Canada. made their way through Texas to ultimate free­ mepleasant/index.html, 1999 pany, 1949. effort to tell it in a comprehensive manner must begin with a care­ dom in Mexico. ful analysis of Beasley's seminal work. News of discovery of gold on the Fraser River in Daniels, Douglas Henry. Pioneer Urbanites: Williams James. Life and Adventures of James Wil­ British Columbia reached San Francisco in the A Social and Cultural History of Black San Francisco. liams, a fugitive slave, with a full description of the spring of 1858 and gold fever hit the city. When Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1980. Underground Railroad, 4th edition. San Francisco: the steamer Commodore departed San Francisco Women's Union Book and Job Printing Office, For more information on for Vancouver Island, it carried sixty-five members Goode, Kenneth G. California's Black Pioneers: A 1874. sites associated with of the San Francisco African Zion Methodist Brief Historical Survey. Santa Barbara, CA: McNally African American Episcopal Church, including Archy Lee. and Lofton, 1973. history in California, look at the internet site http://ww.cr.nps.gov/ Over the next several months about 400 blacks The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom history/5views/ from California joined them in Canada, drawn 5views6.htm. there by the lure of gold or the attraction of a new land where they could be free from prejudice and This brochure is a publication of the National Park Service, Pacific West legal restrictions. The majority of these immigrants Region. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of settled in Victoria and on Saltspring Island and 1998 directs the NPS to facilitate an international effort to commemorate their descendants may be found there today. and interpret the Underground Railroad and to locate and preserve sites associated with this theme of American history. For more information on CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: OAKLAND this project, contact: Underground Railroad Program Coordinator, Golden Forty Niner Alvin Mifflin Gibbs, an anti- Jeremiah Sanderson, With the coming of the Civil War, the anti-slavery TRIBUNE, AFRICAN AMERICAN Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco, Coffey purchased his slavery leader in leader of the three MUSEUM AND LIBRARY OF movement in California gradually evolved into a civil The Commodore, also known as Brother Jonathan, OAKLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA CA94123, (415) 561-4485; or visit http://www.nps.gov/undergroundrr/ freedom through California, who migrated Colored Conventions of rights movement. After freedom from slavery was transported blacks to British Columbia from ARCHIVES, SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA on the internet. mining. to Canada. California. PIONEERS. secured for all, efforts focused on gaining a broad California. She was lost off the coast at Crescent range of political, economic and social rights. City in 1865. BRITISH COLUMBIAARCHIVES