Among these prominent white citizens were Jesse Baldwin and Benjamin Douglas."Īs in many other cities and towns in the North, Middletown had businesses that depended upon slavery to keep up good business, and keep the economy going strong. "With the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, the need for the underground railroad increased. "Several Middletown citizens, both white and black, served as underground railroad conductors, sheltering slaves who were fleeing the South in search of freedom in Canada or elsewhere," according to Wesleyan Connection. Following this, in 1834, both the "Colored Female Anti-Slavery Society," and the "Middletown Anti-Slavery Society" were formed, the latter being formed by Jesse Baldwin.Īccording to Wesleyan Connection, Baldwin, among other prominent citizens-like Middletown' Mayor Benjamin Douglas, also actively took part in the Underground Railroad.
In 1828, the American Methodist Episcopal Zion church formed an Anti-Slavery organization that met at the home of George Jeffrey. In 1818, Connecticut passed laws that allowed for the full, gradual emancipation of all its slaves - these laws did not take effect in Middletown until 1830.
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