NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Church Creek, MD – The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Smith Chapel Cemetery in Foristell, Missouri, as one of 19 new listings, from the 47th round of applications, representing sites and programs in 10 states across the United States. These new listings, alongside more than 780 sites, facilities, and programs already in the Network, provide insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery and allies who assisted them. Smith Chapel Cemetery, an African American burial ground in Missouri, was established in 1871 by nine formerly enslaved individuals in St. Charles County in Missouri. At least three men were freedom seekers and members of the Smith Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church associated with this graveyard. The cemetery is the final resting place for Smith Ball (1833- 1912), Benjamin Oglesby (1825-1901), and Martin Boyd (1826-1912), all of whom escaped enslavement and joined the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War.

In 1864, Smith Ball (1833-1912) made his way to St. Charles on February 28th and enlisted in the 68th U.S. Colored Troops. Benjamin Oglesby (1825-1901) fled his enslaver and enlisted on February 14, 1864, in the U.S. 56th U.S. Colored Troops. On October 31, 1864, Martin Boyd (1826-1912) took steps towards freedom and joined the Union troops guarding Fort Peruque, enlisting in the 49th U.S. Colored Troops. After the Civil War, upon returning home to their families, these veterans along with Oglesby’s son-in-law Jackson Luckett, Nathaniel Abington, Austin “Oss” Pringle, David Bird, Thomas McClean, Mark Robinson, and Claiborne Richards, were the first trustees of the Smith Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church at Snow Hill.

This one-acre of land included a one-room black schoolhouse named Douglass and a small Church building for worship. Though the schoolhouse has been relocated to Oglesby Park, and the church building no longer stands, Smith Chapel Cemetery remains an important landmark for many of the descendants of the freedom seekers and their families today.

“For the past 25 years, our national program has been devoted to safeguarding and documenting stories of freedom.” says Robin Krawitz, acting National Program Manager.”Today, we stand at a pivotal moment that signals the dawn of a fresh chapter in our quest to honor the courage and tenacity of countless known and unknown freedom seekers across a myriad of sites, programs, and facilities. In this latest round of nominations, we shine a spotlight on 14 distinctive locations, and 5 new programs, illuminating the brave odysseys of those who pursued their freedom and the allies who stood by them. Welcoming these 19 new additions to our extensive collection of over 780 listings, we are reminded that the pursuit of freedom is a mosaic imbued with bravery, resilience, and interracial solidarity. Together, we persist in unraveling and commemorating the profound heritage of the Underground Railroad, inspiring future generations to champion the principles of liberty and justice for all.”

The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom serves to honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, which continues to inspire people worldwide. The Network currently represents over 780 locations in 40 states, plus Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. Through its mission, the Network to Freedom helps to advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression.