Bonnie: We just got back from our fabulous trip to see some of the sights related to the underground railroad. It was so neat to learn about the history of this.We started at Uncle Tom's Cabin, where the story was based (not Kentucky as is in the book). Then, we went to the First Baptist Church where John Brown, the white abolitionist, recruited people to help him with taking arms and ammunition from the US government at Harper's Ferry. We followed that with a trip to Buxton National Historical Site. This is where a school was started initially for black children, but was open to all children, no matter what ethnic background. People would leave the US and move to Canada to attend this school. We will include a picture of the rules for the children. The standards were very high, and this was in the middle 1800's. Our guide read something that 4th graders had to learn, and it would be high school level today. Very impressive! Our last stop was at an underground railroad site. This was quite the spiritual experience--our guide wrote a book called "The Road To Somewhere", and is a deeply religious Christian man. He asked Elder Youngberg to pray! I got the cutest picture of a little black boy and a little white boy holding each other that I will frame for our apartment. The way they captured the black children in Africa was by placing little pieces of red material on the ground. The children would be fascinated with the color and look for another piece, until they were captured by men whose job it was to put them on a ship with deplorable conditions. If they were still living after crossing the ocean, they were then sold as slaves. Anyway, it was such a great learning experience and I'm so glad we were able to do it.
Now, to spend a few more minutes on my talk for tomorrow!
Love, Mom/Bonnie
Bob: It was a long day. 12 of us rode to the sites in a 12 passenger van. Very crowded for us in the back row. Bonnie and I came home with the Cannon's to alleviate some of that crowdedness, but she about froze out. Elder/Sister Cannon like it cool in the car. Temperature was set on 64. Also we made 2 additional stops so Elder Cannon could get out and stretch his legs. He has restless leg syndrome.
The sites we visited were very interesting. It is estimated that 30 - 40 thousand slaves ran away to Canada to gain their freedom. As many if not more tried to run but did not make it. They were either caught and taken back, or they died trying to get away. They would hide in the day and travel by night. They had coded phrases that would make them aware of where to go, who would help, etc. But the people helping them were considered to be law breakers and were in danger also. I put some pictures below.
Hope you day has been as inspiring as ours.
Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob
Buxton School Rules
John Brown Recruitment Site
(He was captured and hung about 17 months later)
Sketch of Josiah Henson's Life
(His memoirs were instrumental in the
completion of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin)
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