Freedom Lies Across the River

Slavery, manumission, the Baptist Church, and the Underground Railroad have been a major part of American History. The future without slavery began in the Northwest Territory only after an Ordinance was issued, which declared the new western lands of the United States to be free of slavery. Subsequently, the southeast corner of the region became the State of Ohio in 1803, which was an undeveloped frontier until 1800. This area became Lawrence County, Ohio, the closest "free" area north of the Ohio River to the old south slavery. Limited trails led west, but three ended at the Ohio River in Lawrence County. Manumitted Blacks settled in the county where they began the oldest Black Church in Ohio. They also created and maintained a "Black" trail of freedom, often called the Underground Railroad. Despite restricting Black Laws and the harassment by local slave catchers, these people risked their lives to live in an area where they could aid other people in escaping slavery. Freedom Lies Across the River is a story of the Black freedom of this region. It provides the reader with numerous maps and an extensive appendix to help them trace their own connections to the area.