Downtown in Syracuse in Onondaga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Jerry Rescue
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
1. The Jerry Rescue Marker
Inscription.
The Jerry Rescue. . In 1827, the State of New York was among the first in the Union to abolish slavery. By the mid-1800's, Syracuse was known nationally as a hub of anti-slavery activity. Harriet Tubman, Gerrit Smith, the Rev. Samuel J. May, and the Rev. Jermain W. Loguen lived in the area and played historic roles helping escaped slaves reach freedom and safety in the northern United States and Canada. They organized and maintained the secret routes and hiding places known as the Underground Railroad., Their Abolitionist sentiments were shared by many men and women in the community. When Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, a local Vigilance Committee publicly called on people everywhere to oppose it. Then-Mayor, Alfred H. Hovey, was one of the community leaders who denounced the law, as "a most flagrant outrage upon the inalienable rights of man." , With the attention of the nation focused on the acts of civil disobedience this position might spark, the great American orator, Daniel Webster, came to Syracuse and delivered a dramatic address from a balcony overlooking City Hall. He warned the supporters of the Vigilance Committee of the dire legal consequences they faced in opposing the Fugitive Slave Law., Meanwhile, William "Jerry" Henry had escaped from slavery in Missouri, and was working as a cabinet maker and cooper in Syracuse. At noon on October 1st, 1851, he was apprehended, taken before the local U.S. Commissioner, and charged as a fugitive slave. Alerted, the Vigilance Committee sprang into action. A first, disorganized attempt to free Jerry that afternoon failed. But, later that evening, a mob of outraged citizens, both black and white, stormed the jail across Clinton Street from this site, and rescued him. Jerry was hidden in the city for a few days, then spirited north along the Underground Railroad to Kingston, Ontario., Twenty-seven people, including Loguen and eleven other black citizens, were indicted for their involvement. Enoch Reed, a black man, was the only person convicted of any crime related to the rescue; it was a minor offense, and he died before his case could be heard on appeal., For many years afterward, Abolitionists from all over the north gathered in Syracuse on October 1st, to celebrate Jerry's rescue.
In 1827, the State of New York was among the first in the Union to abolish slavery. By the mid-1800's, Syracuse was known nationally as a hub of anti-slavery activity. Harriet Tubman, Gerrit Smith, the Rev. Samuel J. May, and the Rev. Jermain W. Loguen lived in the area and played historic roles helping escaped slaves reach freedom and safety in the northern United States and Canada. They organized and maintained the secret routes and hiding places known as the Underground Railroad.
Their Abolitionist sentiments were shared by many men and women in the community. When Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, a local Vigilance Committee publicly called on people everywhere to oppose it. Then-Mayor, Alfred H. Hovey, was one of the community leaders who denounced the law, as "a most flagrant outrage upon the inalienable rights of man."
With the attention of the nation focused on the acts of civil disobedience this position might spark, the great American orator, Daniel Webster, came to Syracuse and delivered a dramatic address from a balcony overlooking City Hall. He warned the supporters of the Vigilance Committee of the dire legal consequences they faced in opposing the Fugitive Slave Law.
Meanwhile, William "Jerry" Henry had escaped from slavery in Missouri, and was working as a cabinet maker and cooper
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in Syracuse. At noon on October 1st, 1851, he was apprehended, taken before the local U.S. Commissioner, and charged as a fugitive slave. Alerted, the Vigilance Committee sprang into action. A first, disorganized attempt to free Jerry that afternoon failed. But, later that evening, a mob of outraged citizens, both black and white, stormed the jail across Clinton Street from this site, and rescued him. Jerry was hidden in the city for a few days, then spirited north along the Underground Railroad to Kingston, Ontario.
Twenty-seven people, including Loguen and eleven other black citizens, were indicted for their involvement. Enoch Reed, a black man, was the only person convicted of any crime related to the rescue; it was a minor offense, and he died before his case could be heard on appeal.
For many years afterward, Abolitionists from all over the north gathered in Syracuse on October 1st, to celebrate Jerry's rescue.
Location. 43° 3.044′ N, 76° 9.2′ W. Marker is in Syracuse, New York, in Onondaga County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on South
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
2. The Jerry Rescue Monument
Clinton Street south of Erie Boulevard West, on the left when traveling south. The monument and marker are located beside the sidewalk at the west end of Clinton Square. The monument faces west; the marker is on the back side of the monument, facing east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 South Clinton Street, Syracuse NY 13202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The plan to rescue him was hatched in the South Warren Street, Syracuse office of Dr. Hiram Hoyt.
Following Jerry's unsuccessful escape the Syracuse Vigilance Committee took matters of the fugitive's freedom into their own hands. Developing a strategic plan, the committee ensured Jerry would escape to freedom. They devised a plan that would rely on resistance without violence. Participants were
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
3. The Jerry Rescue Monument
carefully instructed to avoid injuring anyone. Stealthy and swift, the final plan would conceal Jerry in New York until it was safe for him to cross over the border to Canada. A horse and buggy would be stationed near the police station to transport Jerry. At a prearranged signal, the crowd would break into the police office building, surrounding the guards while Jerry was ushered out to the buggy. Jerry would be transported to a designated spot where he would then be put into hiding until it was safe for him to travel to Canada. Following finalization of the plan, Ira Cobb and the Reverend L. D. Mansfield, both vigilance committee members, proceeded to the courtroom to monitor events so they could give the signal to begin. Implementation was set to occur sometime around 8 PM.
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[Jerry Rescue Day participants] characterized the rescue of Jerry as of incalculable value, as an efficient teacher and practical expounder of sound doctrines in regard to law, and slavery, and kidnapping, and pledged that it should be celebrated every year, until there shall no longer be a wretch, who dares to be a kidnapper, and no longer be a slaveholder to give employment to a kidnapper.
(Submitted on September 30, 2023.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
4. The Jerry Rescue Monument
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
5. The Jerry Rescue Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
6. Monument Symbolism
The STAR, as a light in the darkness, represents hope. Its four points are oriented to the actual points of the compass, important in fixing direction for a journey. Its elevation conveys the importance of Jerry's rescue in the history of civil rights.
The BRICK WALLS symbolize buildings or barriers, which can include or exclude. The spaces provoke interest and concern for who or what lies beyond.
The FOREGROUND FIGURES aiding Jerry represent the Rev. Samuel J. May and the Rev. Jermain W. Loguen, who did not physically take part in the event but were instrumental in arranging the rescue. They and the crowd behind them are larger-than-life to suggest that, when courage and compassion combine to influence public opinion, human life is enlarged.
The BROKEN SHACKLES Jerry wears emphasize the failure of legal authority to impose unjust restraints upon human rights or to limit human dignity.
Monument design: BuMann Studios Central Square, New York
Sharon BuMann/Sculptor Copyright 1990
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019
7. Monument Dedication
This project was made possible by the support of the CITY OF SYRACUSE Mayor Thomas G. Young
STATE OF NEW YORK Governor Mario M. Cuomo Senator Tarky Lombardi, Jr.
BENEFACTORS NEW YORK STATE NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST NEW YORK STATE BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ROSAMOND GIFFORD FOUNDATION UPDOWNTOWNERS OF SYRACUSE
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Atlas Fence, Inc. Barnes & Cone, Inc. Bartran & Associates Bock Brick, Inc. Chappell's Donald W. Clark Suzanne M. Congel The Edgewater Companies Lora S. Flanagan IBEW Local 43 Key Bank of Central New York Lenweaver Design Mayor's Minority Affairs Council McConnell Construction Corp. Edward McNeil OBG Technical Services, Inc. O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. O'Connor Memorial, Inc. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Chi Pi Chapter Paragon Supply, Inc. Parratt-Wolff, Inc. Randall Electric, Inc. James Ross & Son Cont., Inc. Santaro Industries, Inc. Syracuse Teachers Association Taylor Rental Center Andrew Von Deak Richard N. Wright, II
JERRY RESCUE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE Chester Whiteside, Founder/Co-Chairperson Rodger Mack, Co-Chairperson Linda Joanne Clark Thomas R. Kennedy David Krietor David E. Lenweaver Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell Vicki B. Quigley Henry Schramm
A project of the Syracuse Urban Arts Commission Unveiled August 10, 1990
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 101 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week October 1, 2023. Photos:1. submitted on September 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.