Underground Railroad Chronology
1607
Jamestown, Virginia, settled by English Colonies.
1619
Twenty Africans are shipped to Jamestown, Virginia, on Dutch Ships.
1641
Massachusetts colony legalizes slavery.
1642
Virginia colony enacts law to fine those who harbor or assist runaway slaves.
1660
Virginia colony legalizes slavery.
1741
North Carolina colony enacts laws to prosecute any person caught assisting runaways.
1775
The Pennsylvania Abolition Society is established to protect fugitives and freed blacks unlawfully
held in bondage.
1776
North American colonies declare independence from Great Britain.
1777
Vermont became the first U.S. territory to abolish slavery.
1777-1804
Northern states abolish slavery through state constitutions.
1780
Pennsylvania became the first state to abolish slavery
1787
Northwest Ordinance prevents slavery to exist in the new federal territories. Free African Society
of Philadelphia, an abolitionists group, is organized by Richard Allen and Absolm Jones.
1793
Fugitive Slave Act becomes a federal law. Allows slaveowners, their agents or attorneys to seize
fugitive slaves in free states and territories.
1794
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is established in Philadelphia, PA.
1800
Nat Turner and John Brown are born. Gabriel Prosser stages an unsuccessful slave insurrection
in Henrico County, VA.
1804
Underground Railroad is "incorporated" after slaveowner, Gen. Thomas Boudes of Columbia, PA
refuses to surrender escaped slave to authorities.
1816
Seminole Wars begin in Florida as a result of many slaves taking refuge with Seminole Indians.
1818
As a response to the Fugitive Slave Act (1793), abolitionists use the "underground" to assist slaves
to escape into Ohio and Canada.
1820
Missouri Compromise admits Missouri and Maine as slave and free states, respectively. The
measure establishes the 36 degree, 30' parallel of latitude as a dividing line between free and
slave areas of the territories.
1821
Kentucky representatives present resolution to Congress protesting Canada's reception of fugitive
slaves.
1822
Former slave Denmark Vesey performs a slave uprising in Charleston, SC.
1829
Black abolitionist, David Walker issues David Walker's Appeal. Afterwards, severe slave revolts
occurred throughout the South.
1830
Levi Coffin leaves North Carolina, settles in Indiana and continues abolitionist activities.
1831
William Lloyd Garrison prints first issues of this anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator. Black
entrepreneur and abolitionist Robert Forten becomes chief financial supporter of the publication.
Nat Turner stages insurrection in Southampton County, VA.
1832
Louisiana presents resolution requesting Federal Government to arrange with Mexico to permit
runaway slaves from Louisiana to be claimed when found on foreign soil.
1834
National Antislavery Society organizes Underground Railroad as a response to pro-slavery
argument.
1838
Underground Railroad is formally organized. Black abolitionist Robert Purvis, becomes chairman
of the General Vigilance Committee and "president" of the Underground Railroad.
1842
Supreme Court rules in Prigg v. Pennsylvania that state officials are not required to assist in the
return of fugitive slaves.
1845
Frederick Douglass prints Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an account of his slave
experience and escape to freedom.
1847
Douglass edits anti-slavery newspaper, the North Star.
1849
Harriet Tubman makes her escape from Maryland.
1850
Compromise of 1850 attempts to settle slavery issue. As part of the Compromise, a new Fugitive
Slave Act is added to enforce the 1793 law and allows slaveholders to retrieve slaves in northern
states and free territories.
1852
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin is published as a response to the pro-slavery argument.
1857
Supreme Court declares in Scott v. Sandford that blacks are not U.S. citizens, and slaveholders
have the right to take slaves in free areas of the county.
1859
John Brown's failed raid on federal arsenal and armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia which was
aimed at starting a general slave insurrection.
1860
Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States.
1861
Civil War begins.
1863
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation which declares "all persons held as
slaves within any state...be in rebellion against the United States shall be then...forever free."
1865
Civil War ends.
Thirteenth Amendmentis amended to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery permanently.
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