The Porter Family

The Porter Family
by Clara


This is a letter from the Douglass' to the Porters. Frederick Douglass would often send notes to the Porters about freedom seekers he would soon be sending to their house for safekeeping.

The wealthy Porter family lived on South Fitzhugh Street in Rochester, New York, were known for their unique anti-slavery strategies. Samuel Drummond Porter was the head of the household. Not all of Samuel's sisters were as involved with the abolition movement as he and his nearby sister, Maria G. Porter who lived along the Erie Canal and who was the oldest of he and his five other sisters. The age line of the Porter siblings are: Maria, Samuel, Mary Jane, Laura, Elizabeth, Almira, and Almira. The first Almira died at the age of one.

Rochester was an anti-slavery city and was home to ordinary citizens, though many of them were great abolitionists, such as: Fredrick Douglass, Amy Post, Isaac Post, Maria Porter, Samuel Porter, and Harriet Tubman. Although Harriet did not live in Rochester, she made many trips there because of her Underground Railroad duties. Though not all of these abolitionists were very well known, all of these people were highly involved participants of the Underground Railroad.

Often times, Fredrick Douglass would send freedom seekers to Samuel Porter. Fredrick Douglass chose to bring freedom seekers to the Porter home because they would give the freedom seeker the money, if needed, to them for the passage of Canada. The next stop along the railroad would often be Samuel's sisters home; Maria Porter. Famous conductors on the Underground Railroad, such as, Fredrick Douglass or Harriet Tubman would also lead freedom seekers to Maria's household.

Samuel and his wife Susan Porter found many different ways to support the abolition movement. Together, they raised money to support the freedom seekers passing through Rochester and on to Canada. Also their wealth allowed them to use the money that they possessed if needed urgently. The average amount of money to support a freedom seeker would be, $ 250.

Samuel Porter and his sister Almira highly supported Fredrick Douglass. When Fredrick first moved to Rochester he was publishing The North Star, an anti-slavery newspaper. Then, when he left the Garrisonian's and joined the Liberty Party his title changed to the Douglass Monthly. The Porters helped Douglass when he had financial difficulties by helping with the process of publishing the newspaper. Another act of kindness made by the Porters was that when Annie, Fredrick's youngest child died in 1860, Samuel took her into his own family plot. Mount Hope Cemetery, the burial ground that Fredrick Douglass wanted her to be buried in would not allow African American customers. So Porter gave the permission necessary for Annie to rest in their plot until Mt. Hope Cemetery allowed Annie to rest in peace.

Susan Porter took part in many anti-slavery groups. Anti-slavery groups would fundraise freedom seekers, sew quilts for the Underground Railroad, support petitions, and maybe other forms of protest. Each of these topics would happen in different anti-slavery groups. One of the anti-slavery societies that Susan took part in was the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society. Also the Porters edited two books for the Society. Then in 1851, Susan along with Maria Porter founded the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Sewing Society. Susan was elected the first president for the society. And then, in 1853 Susan and Samuel Porter became a member of the Western New York Anti-Slavery Society. Samuel was elected twice for president for the society.

Samuel was acquainted with Susan B. Anthony, when he accompanied her to sell tickets for John Brown's Memorial Service. The Porters raised money to support John Brown's family.

Samuel Porter's death occurred in the Civil War. He fought in the 108th regiment. He died with four wounds; in the Battle of Wilderness, he was wounded and killed. Samuel was wounded three other times at the Battle of Antietam, at the Battle of Gettysburg and at Bristoe Station. He died in the fight for the Union in the war to end slavery.

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