For John P. Parker, the price for his freedom was $1,800 of hard-earned cash payable to his owner. In the early nineteenth century this was no pittance. Born a slave in Virginia in 1827, Parker made several attempts to escape until he was finally able to purchase his freedom from his owner in Mobile, Alabama. He was permitted to earn the money by working in a foundry during the time period when the slaves were allowed to sleep. By doing this, he not only earned the cash he needed but also learned a trade that would be his livelihood.
By 1849, he had moved to Ripley, working in his own foundry by day and helping slaves escape from Kentucky by night. He was also an inventor, receiving patents for his soil pulverizer and tobacco presses. The picture at the beginning of this blog is one of a series of oil paintings depicting his life, on display at home along the riverfront in Ripley. As an Underground Railroad conductor, he would slip back into slave territory and help freedom seekers make their way across the Ohio River.Here are the other paintings in the series:
Here are pictures of two other URR conductors (from the Rankin House exhibit):
Today I made it to Cincinnati (81 miles – one of my longest rides so far this trip). Tonight I am staying with friends in Cold Spring, Kentucky – just across the river. Tomorrow I will visit the URR sites in the city before heading north. Much of the route for the next 50 miles is on rails-to-trails, so it should be some good riding. I have now travelled 1,331 miles since leaving Pensacola on April 6. Owen Sound, Ontario is getting closer every day!
Check back tomorrow and keep those contributions coming – thank you!
Large versions of all my blog pics can be found at my photo gallery
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3 comments:
Pat, we will miss you at Radio Live Thursday night. Will this be the first you've missed? Radio Live is fun but I'll bet riding that bike is more fun! We appreciate you doing this to help raise money for WUWF.
Bill and Kathleen McBride
Absolutely amazing photos and background stories. You are going to have to write that book!
Pat, one last ditty...Cervantes is now in flames (East and West) of Palafox. Its kind of like a cross. I don't know how you will bear it, but know this...you are my brother. PS:The train station is not safe, but don't worry, we'll find a way to straighten out this madness.
John
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