Description
Book SynopsisWhile traditional histories of the Underground Railroad in Illinois start in 1839, and focus largely on the romanticized tales of white men, Larry McClellan reframes the story, not only introducing readers to earlier freedom seekers, but also illustrating that those who bravely aided them were Black and white, men and women.
Trade Review“Challenging the narrative that the Underground Railroad was mainly the work of white abolitionists, Larry A. McClellan’s determined research into local archives reveals detailed stories of the Black activists and freedom seekers who shared the work of combating slavery in the United States.” - Robin Kelly, Illinois congresswoman
“Onward to Chicago will take its well-deserved place alongside regional classics of the UGRR. The book elevates Chicago’s important role for self-liberators and those who aided them. McClellan has given us well-researched accounts covering the earliest days of the UGRR in Chicago to the outbreak of the Civil War. By using a range of stories, he updates understanding of escape and abolitionism through an impressive cross section of Underground Railroad activists.” - Cheryl Janifer LaRoche, author of
Free Black Communities and the Underground Railroad: The Geography of Resistance“Larry A. McClellan makes an important contribution to our knowledge of the Underground Railroad in one of its principal hubs. He paints a full picture in this lively and engaging book that will be of interest to both experts and general readers.” - Keith Griffler, author of
The Freedom Movement's Lost Legacy: Black Abolitionism Since Emancipation “In Onward to Chicago, Larry A. McClellan captures the lives of the freedom seekers and the activists who aided them in northeastern Illinois in all of their humanity and complexity. Furthermore, he upends our usual interpretation of the Underground Railroad by showing the agency exerted by the freedom seekers and the vital roles played by Black abolitionists, Black churches, and Black communities in this struggle for liberty.” - Roy E. Finkenbine, coeditor of
Black Abolitionist Papers, 1830–1865 “McClellan’s research is meticulous and thorough. This study traces the Underground Railroad enterprise in Chicago and surrounding areas, revealing the true scope of the soul-crunching, human work involved in securing freedom for enslaved people and their families.” - Jennifer Harbour, author of
Organizing Freedom: Black Emancipation Activism in the Civil War MidwestTable of Contents
- CONTENTS
- List of Illustrations
- List of Maps
- Prologue.The Great Chicago Exodus
- Introduction: Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad
- 1. Freedom Seekers in Northeastern Illinois
- 2. Slavery and Freedom in Illinois, 1800 – 1838
- 3. The Underground is Underway, 1839 – 1844
- 4. Leaders and Travelers, 1845 – 1854
- 5. Open Secrets and Railroads, 1855 – 1861
- Epilogue: On Freedom Seekers
- Appendix A: Population Patterns in Northeastern Illinois
- Appendix B: Freedom Seekers and Underground Railroad Sites in Northeastern Illinois
- Acknowledgments
- Endnotes
- Bibliography
- Index
