"Angels Along The Way" Re-enactment
September 03, 2023 @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm
In the autumn of 1852 Jonathan and Juliette Lemmon along with their 7 children took their 8 slaves from Virginia with the intention of relocating to Texas. After an arduous seventeen-day journey overland, they reached Richmond, Virginia where they attempted to book a vessel that would take them as far New Orleans. Upon learning that no ship was available for 3 weeks they secured passage on a steamship that would take them immediately first to New York City, thence to New Orleans.
The Lemmons were assured that there would be no risk of losing their slaves despite landing in the free state of New York. However, upon arriving in New York City, things did not go according to plan. Anti-slavery advocates asked the “Lemmon slaves” (as they were termed) were asked if they wanted their freedom.
Upon their positive reply, they were informed that since they were now on free ground they were entitled to their freedom. A court case soon followed where the Judge ruled that they were indeed now free. Louis Napoleon, a free black, underground railroad agent is a central figure in this episode. This celebrated and controversial court case grabbed the attention of the nation. Appeals against the original court ruling, was spearheaded by the Virginia State Legislature and lasted for years to come.
Levi, a runaway slave who fled to Cleveland 2 years previously, was a brother, nephew and uncle to the “Lemmon slaves”. He learned of the plight of his relatives and, with the help of the New York Vigilance Committee, traveled to New York to reunite with them and accompany them to freedom in Canada. With the help of underground railroad agents, the family traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, then to Cleveland before finally arriving in Buxton 10 days before Christmas, 1852.
The Eight: The Lemmon Slave Case and the Fight for Freedom, by Albert M. Rosenblatt, tells the personal and legal struggle of the "Lemmon slaves."