Stephen Myers (abolitionist)

Stephen Myers (c. 1800–February 13, 1870) was an abolitionist and agent of the Underground Railroad through the 1830s–1850s. He was also the editor of multiple abolitionist newspapers such as The Northern Star and The Impartial Citizen.

Stephen Myers
Bornc. 1800 (1800)
Albany, New York
DiedFebruary 13, 1870 (aged 69–70)
Albany, New York
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAbolitionist,
Newspaper editor

Birth and early life

Stephen Myers was born a slave in Hoosick, New York around the year 1800. He was supposedly released in 1818 by his owner General Warren. However Warren's identity remains a subject of ambiguity, there are also noted to be no records of Myers' manumission in the Albany County records. After his release he met and married Harriet Johnson in Troy, New York in 1827, and after the wedding they moved into the house at 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany.[1]

Underground Railroad contributions

His major contributions to the Underground Railroad include sending runaway slaves to Canada from Albany. Myers's newspaper the Northern Star also served as another Underground Railroad organization. In the public eye, the paper increased abolitionist rhetoric, but the organization also worked in conjunction with the Vigilance Committee to raise funds and provide safe houses for runaway slaves. During this period of cooperation, Myers and Rev. Torrey of the Vigilance Committee had a slightly hostile relationship. This was due to both sides accusing each other of not providing an adequate amount of aid to slaves attempting to escape. Myers simply responded by saying that he helped many individuals without any aide from the Vigilance Committee. This feud dissipated and Myers eventually became a member of the Albany Vigilance Committee in the 1850s, even becoming the chairman of the organization for approximately 3 years.[2] The fundraising and primary return address for correspondence was run through the Myers's home address which also served as a safe house for slaves during their escape to the North. The odd thing was that Myers having fugitive slaves in his home was not a secret affair, it was simply treated as common knowledge in regards to Myers's involvement with the Underground Railroad.[2] Myers is noted as an important contributor and agent of the Underground Railroad by many different abolitionists including Frederick Douglass.[3][4]

Later life and death

Myers eventually merged the Northern Star with another newspaper known as the True American to create the Impartial Citizen which published out of Syracuse, New York. This paper only lasted for 2 years then eventually became bankrupt in 1851. Myers spent the rest of his life aiding the Railroad and recruiting for the Army to help them get more black volunteers. His wife Harriet died in 1865. Myers himself died 5 years later at his home on February 13, 1870 and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Myers, Stephen (1800-1870)". BlackPast.org. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  2. "The Vigilance Committee in Albany. - Underground Railroad History Project". Underground Railroad History Project. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  3. Ripley, Peter (1991). The Black Abolitionist Papers. Vol. IV. The University of North Carolina Press. pp. 326–330.
  4. Siebert, Wilbur (1898). The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom. New York: Macmillan Company.
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