How do we know that John B. Edwards and Lydia Edwards were involved in the underground railroad?

As Gerrit Smith's agent in the City of Oswego, John B. Edwards wrote frequently to Smith. His letters contain many references to helping fugitives.

Before the Civil War, John B. Edwards and Lydia Hall Edwards lived in a house on West Third Street where they befriended many people fleeing from slavery. Born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, on May 23, 1802, John B. Edwards moved to Lyons, New York in 1807, where he became first a laborer, then a sub-contractor, and finally a superintendent on the Erie Canal. In 1824, he came to Oswego to supervise construction of a hydraulic canal, and he remained in the city to construct and maintain docks and piers. For 43 years, beginning in 1831, he also supervised Gerrit Smith's harbor and real estate investments.
He held many public offices, including president of the village, alderman, president of the Oswego County savings bank, and trustee of the orphan asylum and the public library. He was a member of the Methodist church and tried always to infuse his business dealings with his sense of morality. Lydia M. Hall was born in Norway, New York, May 28, 1806, and married John B. Edwards in 1826. They had four children before Lydia's death in 1856. In 1836, John B. Edwards bought land on West Third Street, block 139, lot 108 (146 East Third Street). He owned this property until 1882. Here he and Lydia raised their family, and he they sheltered many fugitives from slavery. On July 17, 1847, for example, Edwards wrote to Smith that "Nine poor fugitives from slavery's prison left this port last evening for Canada. They were I am told in much fear that pursuer's were after them. They said that they left in a company of 100 and that about 60 of their number were captured before they got out of the slave states." On April 29, 1852, Edward reported that "the Fugitive Slave Dorsey came to me today with your letter. I have put him aboard of a vessel bound for Canada and gave him a $1.00." On March 19, 1860, Edwards explained that "the young colored man that was at your house last week arrived at my house last evening. I shall keep him a few days to recuperate." Lydia Edwards died on January 20, 1856. Her husband was devastated. He reported to Gerrit Smith that there is "a great void in my household. The great companion of my life is gone from it." (January 21, 1856) Two years later, he married Julia M. Imlay. John B. Edwards lived until age 93 and died on November 5, 1895. He and both his wives are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Oswego.

Sources:

Breitbeck, Helen. "John B. Edwards House." Architectural Survey Form. Heritage Foundation of Oswego.
Engle, Kevin. "John B. Edwards" and "Information on John B. Edwards." Unpublished papers, Special Collections, Penfield Library. These include copies of deeds, assessment records, census materials, cemetery records, and city directories.

Gionta, Mary Ann. [John B. Edwards]. Unpublished papers, Special Collections, Penfield Library. Includes list of Edwards' correspondence with Gerrit Smith in Smith Papers, Syracuse University.
History of Oswego County, New York (Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1877), 187.
Gerrit Smith Papers. Byrd Library. Syracuse University.

 

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