The Underground Railroad in Marple

History Spotlight Written by Doug Humes

Photos courtesy of the Marple Historical Society

While the Pennsylvania Railroad branch did not start until 1894, Marple had a very active railroad prior to the Civil War: the Underground Railroad. When slaves escaped servitude in the South, they followed the “drinking gourd” – the Big Dipper, largely traveling at night and hiding out during the day in homes and barns. They were led by local “conductors” who knew the safe houses, as well as unsympathetic neighbors to be avoided.

James Lewis, railroad conductor

In Marple, local tanner James Lewis was drawn into the underground activities in 1837 by a young boarder in his home, James T. Dannaker. Lewis was from the founding family of Newtown, the Quaker Lewises, who were strongly opposed to slavery. But many in the neighborhood thought that the abolitionists were troublemakers. Lewis invited abolitionist attorney Thomas Earle to speak in Marple at the local public schoolhouse, the community gathering spot.

James T. Dannaker, railroad conductor

When Earle arrived, a gang of 20 rough opponents were an intimidating presence. Earle did not want to stir up trouble, so he asked that a vote be taken about whether to proceed. The vote was almost unanimous, and he spoke for nearly two hours.

Thomas Earle, abolitionist whose grandson had a large estate in Newtown, on namesake Earle’s Lane

He reviewed the views of the Founding Fathers in opposition to slavery, the evils of a lifetime of enslaved toil and of families being separated on an auction block. When he was done, many of the rough crowd “who came to scoff remained to pray.” Lewis’ home on Malin Road (still standing today) was convenient to the West Chester Turnpike, and became a safe “station,” sheltering escapees until a way could be found to move them to the next stop.

Lewis routinely traveled the countryside, picking up hides to take back to his tannery and then going out again to deliver the finished goods, or take them to Philadelphia for sale. He therefore had good cover to transport his fugitives, hidden under his cargo. The destination in many cases was a wharf on the Delaware River, where a friendly captain would take the contraband cargo onto the next stop, to New Jersey or by ship farther north.

Lewis farmhouse and tannery

Lewis and Dannaker were never caught, and both survived to an old age. Thomas Earle ran for U.S. Vice-President on the Liberty Party ticket with James Birney in 1840. Although they were defeated, they helped plant the seeds of the Republican Party that swept into office in 1860 under Abraham Lincoln. After the Civil War, the Underground Railroad became unnecessary.

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety. org. Events Suspended: No activities due to Covid. We hope to have an announcement soon about resuming open houses at the Massey House. Check on Facebook or at the website for more details.