The Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad
By Donald Earl Papson - Founding President,
North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association
SWEET CANAAN'S HAPPY LAND
Oh, my brother, did you come for to help me?
Pray and give me your right hand.
Oh, my sister, did you come for to help me?
Pray and give me your right hand.
Oh, the land I am bound for,
Sweet Canaan's happy land,
I am bound for,
Sweet Canaan's happy land,
I am bound for,
Sweet Canaan's happy land.
Pray give me your right hand.
-Negro Spiritual
Between 1830 and 1860, thousands of enslaved Americans escaped to Canada seeking the sweetness of freedom. Like a majestic maple tree, the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad spread its branches across Northeastern New York, Vermont and Canada. Its main branch reached up through the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain to Quebec. Side branches extended East to New England and West to Ontario. Its trunk was the mighty Hudson River. The roots of this great tree of liberty were embedded in the South....more
To learn more about our region's involvement in the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad go to People and Places |
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