Norman Gasbarro | July 6, 2011
The story of Octavius Valentine Catto (1839-1871) gives researchers an interesting opportunity to connect the events of his life with major events in Pennsylvania – and in particular with members of the Gratz family in Philadelphia and events that were happening in Gratz Borough, Dauphin County. Octavius Catto was the son of a former slave […]
Norman Gasbarro | July 3, 2011
This is the fourth in a series of posts on Gratz during the Civil War. Lot #19 and the house on it was purchased by Jeremiah Crabb (1826-?), a blacksmith, in 1854. Previously, the property had been owned by Adonjah Mathias who sold it to Crabb. Mathias, a wheelwright and turner, was the original purchaser […]
Norman Gasbarro | April 13, 2011
On Monday, the post discussed Harrisburg as a “hub” of activity for the Underground Railroad, rather than a final destination as it was presented on Sunday. Those escapees moving north from Harrisburg would have passed through and possibly stopped over in the Lykens Valley area as they made their way to Elmira, New York, and […]
Norman Gasbarro | April 11, 2011
In the post yesterday, some basic information was given about the hidden network of escape routes known as the Underground Railroad. The basic impression from the information given was that Harrisburg was a final destination for the African-Americans who got there. Also, from the map given, there were no escape routes identified in central Pennsylvania […]
Norman Gasbarro | April 10, 2011
The Underground Railroad was the name given to a 19th century hidden network of routes by which African-Americans escaped from slavery to freedom – for the most part, to the north and to Canada. Abolitionists aided the escaping African-Americans and established a series of safe-houses or hiding places along the way as well aiding the […]
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