National Abolition Hall of Fame – 2026 Induction

Four 19th century abolitionists will be inducted into the Abolition Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Peterboro. To honor the three-year Commemoration of the Abolition of Enslavement in New York State by the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York, NAHOF has selected four prominent NYS abolitionists for this year’s induction class. Since the 2026 theme of the commemoration focuses on New York as a hotbed of abolition, it seemed appropriate to honor the careers of these dedicated abolitionists whose work was carried out primarily in this state. The honorees are: William Wells Brown (1814-1884) Brown was a formerly enslaved person from Kentucky and Missouri who made his way to freedom in the North. Relocating to Buffalo he operated a steamship that carried freedom seekers to safety in Canada. Brown became one of the most prominent authors and orators in the anti-slavery movement. His narrative, entitled William Wells Brown: A Fugitive Slave, was an immediate success and brought the horrors of enslavement to the forefront of American consciousness. He later worked in Boston and in England. His fictional account of the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings relationship, in which he wrote about the victimization of black women, was the first novel written by an African American to be published. William Jay (1789-1858) The son of American Founding Father John Jay, William served as a judge for twenty-two years, until he was removed from the bench in 1842 because of his anti-slavery views. His career in abolition activities began in the late 1820’s when he started to organize other Westchester, NY abolitionists to aid freedom seekers escaping slavery and free black people who were wrongfully imprisoned and at risk of being sold into slavery. He provided shelter for freedom seekers as they made their way north. He helped to found the American Anti-Slavery Society, edited its publications, and served on its Executive Committee. He also co-founded the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. He worked against the gag rule adopted by Congress and worked with many prominent abolitionists, forging an enduring and productive bond with Gerrit Smith. John Jay II (1817-1894) Jay’s abolition career was inspired by the work of his father, William Jay, and his grandfather. As a college student he engaged with other abolitionists. He began to practice law and soon put all of his professional energy toward the cause of abolition by defending freedom seekers who had escaped the south via the Underground Railroad. He won freedom for several individuals and helped them settle into their new life afterwards. Jay became increasingly involved in the Underground Railroad, and worked closely with Stephen and Harriet Meyers’ Albany network. He also became involved in political action with the anti-slavery Free Soil Party and was one of the founders of the Republican Party. John Jay II worked tirelessly to not only end the practice of enslavement, but also to end racist practices and discrimination in society. Samuel Ringgold Ward (1817-1866?) Ward escaped from enslavement on the eastern shore of Maryland. He was a celebrated orator and pastored many upstate New York churches. As a lecturer for the American Anti-Slavery Society, he traveled to numerous locations to speak out against enslavement. He had connections with Gerrit Smith and Frederick Douglass, and lived in Peterboro for a time. He was nominated to be Smith’s vice-presidential running mate on the Liberty Party ticket in 1848, becoming the first African American man nominated for a national political office. Ward visited many states to condemn the Fugitive Slave Law and was a participant in the Jerry Rescue in Syracuse in 1851. Ward was also the editor of abolitionist newspapers throughout his life, and he published his autobiography. He later moved to England, where he raised money for the abolitionist cause in America. Ward eventually settled in Jamaica, where he died. The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road in Peterboro in the building in which the New York Anti-Slavery Society was organized on Oct. 22, 1835. Peterboro was the home of famed abolitionist Gerrit Smith. For more information visit NationalAbolitionHallofFameandMuseum.org, email [email protected] or call 315-308-1890. Source: The Eagle News Online https://www.eaglenewsonline.com/cazenovia_republican/abolition-hall-of-fame-announces-2026-inductees/article_d6e7582d-c0eb-4ba7-9bce-d85f86f34ff2.html