Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub - Jackson, MI - Michigan Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Charles DeLand was among a select group of Underground Railroad agents who transported fugitive slaves to safe houses along a corridor that passed through Jackson. DeLand’s mother, of Quaker stock, influenced her family to participate in the humanitarian network and his family harbored slaves in their Jackson home, which stood at the intersection of Franklin and Mechanic streets. When writing the voluminous “History of Jackson County, Michigan,” DeLand reminisced about the late night wagon rides in which he served as a conductor, transporting enslaved Americans who hid under corn or hay in his father’s lumber wagon. He wrote: “Many a weary night’s ride fell to my lot, along the new and rough roads, across Leoni and Waterloo, to aid these poor fugitive slaves on their way to freedom.” His crusades continued as a publisher. In fact, his abolitionist, pro-temperance editorials sometimes incited reprisals. On July 4, 1850, his newspaper office was torched with “fireballs” and “burned out,” he wrote in a column. But the irrepressible DeLand continued his anti-slavery campaign. In 1903, the crusading Underground Railroad agent and editor closed his eyes for the last time, having lived long enough to see his dream--the end of slavery--become a reality. He was laid to rest in the family plot in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson. The headstone proclaims the family’s distinction as belonging to a “Pioneer Family of Jackson.” -DeLand and the Underground Railroad

Historical Date: 01/01/1851 Historical Name: Charles DeLand Description: Underground Railroad Hub The DeLand family's property was located on the northeast corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets from 1851 until 1878. Three family members participated in the Underground Railroad: William DeLand offered his family's home to freedom seekers, Mary DeLand fed guests, and their son, Charles DeLand, transported freedom seekers in a lumber wagon to the next stop. Their humanitarian efforts turned this intersection into an Underground Railroad hub. Charles' memoires state that the family's home and barn "became a regular relay station on the underground railroad of those days.” Freedom seekers would arrive "in the night... were secreted during the day, and the next night forwarded to the next station. Many a weary night's ride fell to my lot, along the ... rough roads, across Leoni and Waterloo, to aid these... slaves on their way to freedom,” he wrote. In adulthood, Charles DeLand became editor of the American Citizen newspaper and often published fiery editorials denouncing slavery as an "abomination.” He also served as a Union Colonel in the Civil War and was commended for bravery. Parking nearby?: yes D/T ratings: website: [Web Link] Registered Site #: N/A

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