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John Rankin |  |
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Slaves have been escaping to freedom in the North since before the Revolutionary War. Ohio was a desirable haven, because of the Ordinance of 1787 prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory. Escape became difficult with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, under which slaves captured in free territory could be returned to their masters if ownership could be established My house has been the door of freedom to many human beings but while there was a hazard of life and property, there was much happiness in giving safety to the trembling fugitives. They were all children of God by creation and some of them I believe were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb John Rankin |
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REVERERED JOHN RANKIN 1793-1886 |
| REVERERED JOHN RANKINS HOUSE From 1825 to 1865 Rankin and his wife Jean,, sheltered more than 2,000 slaves escaping to freedom At night Rankin would hang a lantern from a pole to signal the slaves it was safe to cross the Ohio |
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The Rankin House, built in 1828, is located on Liberty Hill. This hill overlooks the Ohio River and Ripley. This vantage point gave it an advantage as a protection for runaway slaves and a view of the river and any approaching bounty hunters. One can view seven bends in the Ohio River from this house |
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In late Febuary of 1838 the Ohio River froze. So a slave woman and her child living near the river in Kentucky decided it was time to escape. Despite the ice breaking up she made it to the Ohio shore line. John Rankin later told the story of courage and victory to Harriet Beecher Stowe which inspired her to create the character of Eliza in the novel Uncle Toms Cabin |
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Rankin Bust Located in Maplewood Cemetery this bust was sculpted by one of Rankins Granddaughters. John and his Wife Jean are both buried here |