New Milford

"Fugitives from slavery in the deep South entered New Milford at several places.  Some were directed from New York State, directly west of New Milford.
It would seem natural that they might have entered through the town of Sherman, although little has been written or recorded as to that being the case.
However, it has been stated that one known station on the system was in Sherman, a short distance north of the center of town in an old colonial residence
lying on the westerly side of the present road leading north from the center toward the New York state line or to Gaylordsville.  This station
was in the Stuart family.  The residence is still standing, a landmark and heritage to be preserved.  James Stuart was reportedly the agent.  It is alleged
that there was small outbuilding on the premises just north of his dwelling where the escapees would be housed and it would seem likely that some
of them would come over the hills to New Milford."  (Dibble 1991: 58-59)

"Thus it is known that New Milford was a center of Underground work;  but whether fugitives came to this town by traveling northward from the
vicinity of Wilton, or eastward via a lateral from the Hudson River line in New York, or both, remains unclear."  (Strother  1962:  123)

Bostwick Place
Grove Street
"Seventy-five years after the Boswick place was erected it became one of the stations on the Underground Railroad.  It is known that there was a hiding
place beneath the floor of the attic.  This compartment could hold two persons, and as it was near a chimney could provide warmth during the cold winter season..."   (Dibble  1991:  58)
"...rooms with hidden or false walls or doors."  (Mandel:  2003)


Wanzer Farm
"Another alleged station in this system was a home in the Lanesville section of this town.  It is located about four miles south of the village center
and has been known as the Wanzer Farm...(they were Quakers)"  (Dibble 1991:  58)

Charles Sabin
"There are several stations here, (New Milford), one of which was the house of Charles Sabin."  (Strother  1962:  123)
Also listed in Appendix 2, Underground Railroad Agents in Connecticut.  (Strother  1962:  210)

Augustine Thayer
Grove Street, along the east side of the river, south of town.
Route 67 - no longer exists - "had tunnels which ran under route 67 and connected to the Phillops' tunnels."  (Mandel: 2003)

"Again, near the village, was the home of Augustine A. Thayer, known to his cronies as "Baccus".  The abolitionists in New Milford were a
small group and not fiven to advertising that they were of that persuasion, although it was generally known who they were and that there were
many more abolitionists in town than would acknowledge the connection.  It is related that the members of the said "Club" were being
regaled with readings from a New York newspaper.  Among the items was a reward of five hundred dollars offered for the apprehension
of two runaway slaves.  It was expressed by one of the men present that it would not surprise him, "if they would be found at that moment
at Baccus' home.  (Dibble  1991:  59-60)

"Another was the home of Augustine Thayer.  He and "his good wife devoted their lives to the Abolition cause.  They helped many poor
slaves on their way, rising from their beds in the night to feed and minister to them and secreting them till they could be taken under the cover
of darkness to Deacon Geradus Roberts' house on Second Hill and from there to Mr. Daniel Platt's house in Washington."  (Strother  1962:  123)

Listed in Apprendix 2, Underground Railroad Agents in Connecticut.  (Strother  1962:  210)

"The route continued from Washington north to Litchfield, then on to Torrington, which was the birthplace of John Brown.  It is reported
that as early as 1837 there was an organization composed of forty members of an antislavery group in the town.  Colebrook and Norfolk
were the actual jumping off places in Connecticut.  From these towns the fugitives crossed the line into Massachusetts, crossed the Housatonic River
to Stockbridge, to Pittsfield, into Vermont, to Bennington, Burlington, Rutland, and on into Canada and freedom.
(Dibble  1991:  60)

Elijah Boardman House

"Uriel Tuttle and Boardman were part purchasers of the Connecticut Reserve and were listed together as putting in $60,000 together,
so obviously they were close business partners and perhaps friends and it follows that if Tuttle was so involved, Boardman was
probably involved too."  (email correspondence)
Tunnels mentioned also.

  Geradus Roberts
Intersection of Route 67 and Grove Street
"...till they could be taken under cover of darkness to Deacon Geradus Roberts' house on Second Hill..."  (Strother  1962:  123)
Also listed in Appendix 2, Underground Railroad Agents in Connecticut.  (Strother 1962:  210)
"Where tunnels that once concealed fugitive slaves extended from the Phillips' house basement."  (Mandel: 2003)


Other areas mentioned
Lanesville Road, south on Route 7.
Phillips Property, associated with the Thayer property, tunnels
Nathaniel Taylor House
Tory Cave?
Gaylordsville - James Stuart House
Marbledale - forge and puddling works
Quaker Meetinghouse - Danbury Center