Ann Arbor

Bordering Ypsilanti , a significant site of Underground Railroad activitity on the west, Ann Arbor served as another Washtenaw County refuge for African Americans escaping slavery. In particular, numerous African Americans appear to have visited Ann Arbor and interacted with the editors of the Signal of Liberty, a national anti-slavery newspaper and voice for the Liberty Party. The editors of the Signal, Reverend Guy Beckley and Theodore Foster, publicized African American's stories of enslavement and flight after they passed through Washtenaw County, often on their way to Canada. Published from 1841-1847 in Ann Arbor and during 1848 in Battle Creek, the Signal featured local, state, national and international news as it related to the struggle against slavery. Beckley not only published stories of escape, but assisted African Americans escaping slavery from 1842, until he died in 1847. Lyman Goodnow suggests that he brought Caroline Quarlls to Beckley's on her way to Canada from Wisconsin.

Five years before becoming the home of the Signal, Ann Arbor hosted the first meeting of the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society on November 10-11, 1836 at the First Presbyterian Church. There, 75 anti-slavery activists from six Michigan counties attended. Beckley, also a member of the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society, served on the Executive Committee from 1840 and functioned as Vice-President in 1845.

Goodnow, Lyman Testimony
Signal of Liberty Subscription List, Bentley Historical Library
National Parks Service National Network to Freedom Guy Beckley Site Description
Seibert, Wilbur. Wilbur Seibert Papers. Ohio Historical Archives.