Delia Webster

Delia Webster was born December 17, 1817, to Benajah Webster{{efn|Delia's father's name is spelled as Benejah{{cite book|author1=Gerald L. Smith|author2=Karen Cotton McDaniel|author3=John A. Hardin|title=The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia|date=July 16, 2015|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-6066-5|page=521}} and Benajah.{{cite book|author=Randolph Paul Runyon|title=Delia Webster and the Underground Railroad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaUeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA70|date=January 13, 2015|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4841-0|page=70}}{{cite book | author=Frances K. Eisan | title=Saint or Demon? The Legendary Delia Webster Opposing Slavery | publisher=Pace University Press | year=1998 | isbn=0761810331|page=209 }} The History and genealogy of the Gov. John Webster of Connecticut spells his name as Benajah.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/historygenealogy00webs|author=William H. Webster |title=History and genealogy of the Gov. John Webster family of Connecticut, with numerous portraits and illustrations |year=1915 | location=Rochester, New York |publisher= E.R. Andrews Print. Co.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historygenealogy00webs/page/303 303]–304}}}} and his wife, Esther,The Enterprise and Vermonter, Vergennes, VT, 17 Jan 1870 p2 Notice of death for Esther, wife of Benajah Webster in Ferrisburg, VT in Vergennes, Vermont; she was one of ten children.{{cite book | author=Frances K. Eisan | title=Saint or Demon? The Legendary Delia Webster Opposing Slavery | publisher=Pace University Press | year=1998 | isbn=0761810331|pages=34–35 }} Webster attended the Vergennes Classical School. She began teaching school at 12 years of age. Webster was raised near the farm Rokeby, which was used to shelter travelers on the Underground Railroad. The farm has been designated a National Historic Landmark.{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1327495557&ResourceType=District | title=Rokeby | publisher=National Historic Landmarks Program, National Park Service | access-date=May 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924062134/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1327495557&ResourceType=District|archive-date=September 24, 2012}}

In the spring of 1835, she obtained a teaching position. Webster went to Ohio to take classes at Oberlin College, the first integrated college in the United States. The town of Oberlin was a "hotbed of abolitionism" and supporters ran stations on the Underground Railroad, assisting escaped slaves to freedom.{{cite book|author=John E. Kleber|title=The Kentucky encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8eFSK4o--M0C&pg=PA939|access-date=1 May 2013|date=18 May 1992|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-2883-2|page=939}}{{cite book|author=Brad Asher|title=Kentucky|url=https://archive.org/details/kentucky00ashe|url-access=registration|access-date=1 May 2013|date=30 August 2006|publisher=Interlink Books|isbn=978-1-56656-638-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/kentucky00ashe/page/145 145]}}{{cite book|author=Cynthia D. Bittinger|title=Vermont Women, Native Americans and African Americans: Out of the Shadows of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZC6P6mb8KAgC|access-date=1 May 2013|year=2012|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-1-60949-262-5|page=12}}

File:Rev Calvin Fairbank.gif, abolitionist]]

Webster traveled to Lexington, Kentucky in 1843. She decided to stay there to teach art and was a co-founder of the Lexington Female Academy.

Webster's abolitionist efforts in Lexington were described in a 1921 article in Indiana Magazine of History:

She came to be hated by the slave masters as well as feared by them. While nothing could be established against her, she was constantly under suspicion and was subjected to threats intermingled with much persecution. With all this opposition, she continued her work just the same, traveling from one locality to another, always coming in contact with slaves and teaching them the avenues of escape and very frequently aiding them directly in the work herself.{{cite book|author1=George Streiby Cottman|author2=Christopher Bush Coleman|author3=Logan Esarey|title=Indiana Magazine of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3YfAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA281|access-date=1 May 2013|year=1921|page=281}}

File:Lewis Hayden Portrait.png, 19th-century portrait, ex-slave, abolitionist, businessman, Republican Party representative from Boston to the Massachusetts state legislature in 1873.]]

She often worked with Methodist minister, Calvin Fairbank. It was said that "Northern Kentucky suffered greatly for her effective work."{{cite book|author=Robinson|title=Black Movements in America.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TUNduIJq10kC&pg=PA49|access-date=1 May 2013|year=1997|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-91222-8|page=49}}

In 1844, Webster and Rev. Calvin Fairbank assisted three slaves, the Haydens, in their escape to Ohio, where they transported them by wagon. Their role was discovered, and she and Fairbank were arrested. They were tried separately. She was tried and sentenced in 1845, to "2 years hard labor in the Kentucky Penitentiary for aiding and abducting slaves." On February 24, 1845, Webster was pardoned by Governor William Owsley, at the urging of the penitentiary warden, Newton B. Craig. To earn her freedom, she declared that she was not an abolitionist.

According to a 1911 account:

Miss Delia Webster is the lady who was sentenced to the State penitentiary for abducting our silly old servants into Ohio. But the jury of Kentucky noblemen who returned the verdict -- being married men, and long used to forgiving a woman anything -- petitioned the governor to pardon Miss Delia on the ground that she belongs to the sect that can do no wrong -- and be punished for it. Whereupon the governor, seasoned to the like large experience, pardoned the lady.{{cite book|author=James Lane Allen|title=Aftermath, part second of "A Kentucky Cardinal"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z_E2AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA70|year=1911|publisher=Macmillan Co.|page=70}}

File:Delia Webster book.png

Webster went to live with her parents after her release in February 1845.{{cite book|author=Randolph Paul Runyon|title=Delia Webster and the Underground Railroad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaUeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA125|date=January 13, 2015|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4841-0|page=125}} She wrote about the events in Kentucky Jurisprudence: A History of the Trial of Miss Delia A. Webster (1845).{{cite book|author=Delia Ann Webster|title=Kentucky Jurisprudence: A History of the Trial of Miss Delia A. Webster: At Lexington, Kentucky, Dec'r 17-21, 1844 Before the Hon. Richard Buckner on a Charge of Aiding Slaves to Escape from that Commonwealth - with Miscellaneous Remarks Including Her Views on American Slavery|url=https://archive.org/details/kentuckyjurispru00webs|year=1845|publisher=H.W. Blaisdell, Printer}}

She taught school during the three years that she lived with her parents in Vermont, but found the harsh winters harmful to her health. She then went to New York, where she taught school, was involved in the Woman's suffrage movement,{{cite book | author=Frances K. Eisan | title=Saint or Demon? The Legendary Delia Webster Opposing Slavery | publisher=Pace University Press | year=1998 | isbn=0761810331|page=167 }} and sought the salt-water air to heal her bronchitis. Due to her health and at the urgings for her to return, she returned to the south, moving to Madison, Indiana in 1849. Kentucky was just across the Ohio River from her new city.{{cite book|author=Michelle Arnosky Sherburne|title=Abolition & the Underground Railroad in Vermont|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5NV2CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT104|date=August 6, 2013|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated|isbn=978-1-62584-494-1|page=PT 104}} She was a governess to Newton Craig's family for years, traveled with them, and took Craig's son Dillard on a visit to Vermont, where she tutored him.{{cite book|author=Randolph Paul Runyon|title=Delia Webster and the Underground Railroad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaUeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA178|date=January 13, 2015|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4841-0|pages=178, 206, 239–240}}

After she left the employment of the Craigs, Webster went east and socialized with fellow abolitionists. Webster returned to Madison, purchased a house, and lived there for a year before moving to Trimble County. She began working on the Underground Railroad in 1853.

In 1854, Webster bought a 600-acre farm along the Ohio River in Trimble County, Kentucky. The purchase was partly funded from northern abolitionists. Her farm, which she called Mt. Orison,{{cite book | author=Frances K. Eisan | title=Saint or Demon? The Legendary Delia Webster Opposing Slavery | publisher=Pace University Press | year=1998 | isbn=0761810331|page=91 }} became an Underground Railroad station. She hired freed blacks as farm workers. Accusing her of aiding their slaves' escapes, Kentucky slaveowners threatened Webster that she, her crops or her farm might come to harm if she remained in the area.{{cite book|author1=George Streiby Cottman|author2=Christopher Bush Coleman|author3=Logan Esarey|title=Indiana Magazine of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3YfAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA283|access-date=1 May 2013|year=1921|pages=283–286}} There were raids on her farm and threats against her life. Upset about her activities, Craig sought to have her arrested. He was reported to have been annoyed and desired to exact revenge "for being tricked".{{cite book|author1=George Streiby Cottman|author2=Christopher Bush Coleman|author3=Logan Esarey|title=Indiana Magazine of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3YfAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA281|access-date=1 May 2013|year=1921|page=282}}

In 1854, a warrant was issued for her arrest in connection with missing slaves in the area. She was arrested and jailed, but was able to escape. Webster traveled to Madison, Indiana where she was hidden in many city and country locations. She was captured and jailed in Indiana, pending a trial under the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. It was conducted in Madison in late July. Newton Craig was a witness for the prosecution. Judge Walker discharged Webster on May 21, 1854. Craig was shot from behind by a man named Mr. Randall, who was believed to be a laborer on Webster's farm. Craig's wounds were not fatal and he did not pursue prosecution of the gunman. Webster's farm had been looted of about $9,000 in household, farm and personal belongings. When she was unable to make her loan payments, a "Webster Farm Association" was founded by people in the anti-slavery movement from Boston, Massachusetts. With their assistance, she was able to keep the farm.{{Efn|Asher said that there was an $8,000 loss; It was reported to be a $9,000 loss in the Indiana Magazine of History.}}

She continued to operate as part of the Underground Railroad and served as a nurse to wounded soldiers along with Harriet Beecher Stowe during the Civil War.{{cite book|author=Michelle Arnosky Sherburne|title=Abolition & the Underground Railroad in Vermont|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5NV2CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|date=August 6, 2013|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated|isbn=978-1-62584-494-1|pages=PT 105}}

Webster had obtained building materials to build a school on her property. But, in November 1866 her home and the building materials were destroyed in a fire by arsonists. "Over time arsonists destroyed seventeen buildings, four barns, and finally Webster's residence." Without sufficient financial resources, in October 1869 she lost possession of her property.

Webster moved to Madison, Indiana and returned to teaching. After the war, African American children were not allowed to attend public schools, so she taught children in a school that was established in an African American Baptist Church on 5th Street.{{cite book|author=Mimi O'Malley|title=It Happened in Kentucky, 2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VQfvTMObViIC&pg=PA66|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7627-6885-1|page=66}}{{cite book | author=Frances K. Eisan | title=Saint or Demon? The Legendary Delia Webster Opposing Slavery | publisher=Pace University Press | year=1998 | isbn=0761810331|page=7 }} She wrote and lectured for a time.

Webster died on January 18, 1904, in Iowa, where she lived with her niece, Dr. Alice Goodrich.The Enterprise and Vermonter, Vergennes, VT 28 Jan 1904 p5 Death notice of Delia Webster{{cite book|author=Phyllis Codling McLaughlin|title=Trimble County|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tn7lBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA7|date=February 9, 2015|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated|isbn=978-1-4396-4972-5|page=7}}{{cite web |url=http://vermonthistory.org/research/vermont-women-s-history/database/webster-delia |title=Delia Webster |website=Vermont Historical Society |access-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401061414/http://vermonthistory.org/research/vermont-women-s-history/database/webster-delia |url-status=dead }}{{Efn|Other records incorrectly state{{cite book|author=Randolph Paul Runyon|title=Delia Webster and the Underground Railroad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaUeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA221|date=January 13, 2015|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4841-0|page=221}} that she died in Jeffersonville in 1876.}}

A Kentucky Highway Marker was established to honor Webster, the "Petticoat Abolitionist," in Trimble County at the junction of US 421 and KY 1255.

'Underground railroad' station, a mile west, run by Delia Webster on land bought with funds provided by Northern abolitionists, 1854. Slaveholders filed charges against her. After refusing to leave Ky., she was imprisoned. Following her release she was indicted again by escaped into Indiana. For similar activities in Lexington she had served term in penitentiary, 1844.{{cite book|author1=Melba Porter Hay|author2=Dianne Wells|author3=Thomas H. Appleton|title=Roadside History: A Guide to Kentucky Highway Markers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-bl4FNDXxqQC&pg=PA104|access-date=1 May 2013|date=1 March 2002|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-916968-29-8|page=104}}{{cite web | url=http://travel.nostalgiaville.com/Kentucky/milton/milton64.jpg | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630012014/http://travel.nostalgiaville.com/Kentucky/milton/milton64.jpg | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 30, 2013 | title=Petticoat Abolitionist marker (photo) | publisher=Travel Nostalgiaville | access-date=May 1, 2013 }}

There is also a highway marker at the Trimble county jail at Courthouse Square in Bedford, Kentucky that states she was its most notable resident.{{cite book|author1=Melba Porter Hay|author2=Dianne Wells|author3=Thomas H. Appleton Jr.|author4=Thomas H. Appleton|title=Roadside History: A Guide to Kentucky Highway Markers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-bl4FNDXxqQC&pg=PA223|date=April 6, 2002|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=0-916968-29-4|page=223}}

In 1996, she was honored as one of the Kentucky Women Remembered. Her portrait hangs in the West Wing of the Kentucky State Capitol, along with other noted women of Kentucky.{{cite web|url=http://www.kywomenshistoryproject.com/kentuckywomenrememberedexhibit/ |title=Kentucky Women Remembered Exhibit |website=Kentucky Women History Project |access-date=April 4, 2017}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|author=Delia Webster|title=Kentucky Jurisprudence. a History of the Trial of Miss Delia A. Webster. at Lexington, Kentucky, Dec'r 17-21 1844|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=avx8tgAACAAJ|date=1845|publisher=E.W. Blaisdell|location=Vergennes|isbn=9781275088467|lccn=94840931}}
• {{cite book|author=Helen D. Irvin|title=Women in Kentucky|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uXWNQQAACAAJ|date=1 November 2009|publisher=University Press OF KENTUCKY|isbn=978-0-8131-9345-8}}
• {{cite book|author=Richard D. Sears|title=The Kentucky abolitionists in the midst of slavery (1854-1864): exiles for freedom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gsB2AAAAMAAJ|access-date=1 May 2013|date=August 1993|publisher=Edwin Mellen Press|isbn=978-0-7734-9309-4}}

• [https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/rbc/rbcmisc/lst/lst0093/lst0093.pdf A history of the trial of Miss Delia A. Webster at Lexington, Kentucky], written by Webster herself
• {{Find a Grave|123607370|Delia Ann Webster}}

{{Underground Railroad}}

{{Kentucky Women Remembered|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Webster, Delia Ann}}

Category:1817 births

Category:1904 deaths

Category:Underground Railroad people

Category:People from Vergennes, Vermont

Category:Prisoners and detainees of Kentucky

Category:Recipients of gubernatorial pardons in Kentucky