Jermain Wesley Loguen, born into slavery in 1813, rose to become one of the most influential abolitionists in American history. Known as the “King of the Underground Railroad,” Loguen’s fearless dedication to helping enslaved Africans escape to freedom made him a central figure in the abolitionist movement.
Early Life in Slavery
Born in Davidson County, Tennessee, to Cherry, an enslaved African woman, and David Logue, his enslaver, Jermain Wesley Loguen’s early years were marked by cruelty. His mother had been free but was kidnapped and sold into slavery, a fate that would tragically mirror her son’s own. Despite the oppressive conditions of slavery, Loguen exhibited a strong desire for freedom from an early age. At 21, with the help of his mother, Loguen escaped bondage by stealing his enslaver’s horse and fleeing north via the Underground Railroad.
His escape led him to Canada, where he changed his name from Logue to Loguen to sever ties with his enslaver. In Canada, Loguen began to rebuild his life, gaining an education and becoming a prominent advocate for freedom. He learned to read, attended the Oneida Institute in New York, and eventually became a teacher, opening schools for Black children in New York State.
The Underground Railroad and Activism
In 1841, Loguen moved to Syracuse, where he and his wife, Caroline Storum Loguen, transformed their home into a station on the Underground Railroad. Publicizing their address in local newspapers, the Loguens openly defied the Fugitive Slave Act, providing food, shelter, and assistance to runaway slaves. The Loguens even created a special “fugitive chamber” in their home to hide escaping slaves and ensure their safety.
Due to their efforts, Syracuse was known as the “great central depot on the Underground Railroad,” and Loguen became one of its most notable conductors. His actions were instrumental in making Syracuse a key site on the path to freedom, and he earned the title of “King of the Underground Railroad” for his dedication to helping escaped people escape to Canada.
One of the most significant moments in Loguen’s abolitionist career came in 1851 during the Jerry Rescue. On October 1, 1851, William Henry, also known as Jerry, a fugitive slave, was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in Syracuse. The law, which required the return of runaway slaves to their owners, sparked outrage among abolitionists in the city. When news of Jerry’s arrest spread, hundreds of abolitionists—Black and white— demanded his release.
Loguen, deeply involved in the abolitionist movement and an active member of the effort to free Jerry, was present at the scene. He and a group of abolitionists stormed the police station, broke in, and freed Jerry, helping him escape safely to Canada. This brave act went against federal law and shocked the nation.
Loguen, deeply involved in the abolitionist movement, played a key role in the effort to free Jerry. Alongside a determined group of abolitionists, Loguen helped lead a bold raid on the police station, breaking in and successfully freeing Jerry, who was then safely escorted to Canada.
In the wake of the Jerry Rescue, Loguen and other key figures in the abolitionist movement faced serious legal repercussions. Loguen was accused of assaulting a federal marshal and inciting the violence that led to the storming of the jail. Fearing the possibility of arrest and potential return to slavery, Loguen fled to Canada, where he found refuge and continued his abolitionist work.
While in Canada, Loguen took the opportunity to write letters to both District Attorney and New York Governor, denying the charges made against him. He expressed his willingness to face trial, but only if he could be assured that he would not be captured and returned to slavery. However, neither letter received a reply.
As time passed and the legal pressure on the participants in the Jerry Rescue case subsided, Loguen returned to Syracuse and resumed his work on the Underground Railroad.
In contrast with many other fugitives, Loguen declined to ensure his safety by purchasing his freedom, or to allow others to purchase it for him, arguing that to do so would compromise his manhood and his “God-given gift of freedom.”
In March 1860, Loguen received a letter from Sarah Logue, the wife of his former enslaver, demanding that he return to her as a slave or pay $1,000 in compensation for her “loss.” Shocked by the boldness of her request, Loguen responded with an equally audacious and harsh letter. He refused her demand outright, making a powerful stand against slavery and affirming his unwavering commitment to freedom. You can read his full letter here.
Church Work and Family
Jermain Wesley Loguen’s activism extended beyond the Underground Railroad into his work as a church minister. He became an elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and, in 1868, was appointed bishop. His ministry became a platform for furthering the cause of abolition and justice.
Loguen and his wife, Caroline, raised six children, many of whom would go on to have notable careers. Their daughter, Sarah Loguen Fraser, became one of the first African-American female doctors, while Amelia Loguen Douglass, their other daughter, married the son of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Loguen passed away in 1872, but his legacy lived on through his family and the many lives he touched through his work on the Underground Railroad.
Legacy and Recognition
Jermain Wesley Loguen’s impact on the abolitionist movement and the fight for freedom is detailed in his autobiography, The Rev. J. W. Loguen, as a Slave and as a Freeman. In honor of his work, Loguen was inducted into the National Abolition Hall of Fame in Peterboro, New York, in 2011, cementing his legacy as a leading figure in the fight for freedom and justice.
Sources:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-liberator-wretched-woman-reply-from/25857868/
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/loguen.jermain.wesley.html
