Eliza strained forward as her legs churned beneath her, the underbrush tearing at her long skirts. The small boy in her aching arms whimpered, sensing a danger he couldn’t see.
“Hush, chile,” she gasped in a whisper. “Mama’s gone keep you safe.”
Eliza dared a quick glance behind her. She could see nothing of the slave catchers who’d found her hiding place, a house near the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. She’d slipped out the back door and into the woods as they approached the front. But they would surely guess her run for freedom, and their long legs, unencumbered by skirts, would quickly bring them close.
Eliza dared not slow her pace toward the northern side of the river, where she and her baby had a chance to be together. Though her master had been kind, he was planning to sell her son. Eliza could not let that happen; her two older children had already died.
Finally, Eliza could see glimmering flecks through the trees as morning light danced on the water. But this was not what she’d planned. Eliza had expected to walk across the mile-wide river on ice, given the winter season. Instead she found the ice broken up into mammoth chunks, drifting slowly on the current.
With a prayer on her lips, Eliza made the choice to cross anyway, jumping from ice cake to ice cake. Sometimes the cake on which she stood sunk beneath the surface of the water. Then Eliza would slide her baby onto the next cake and pull herself on with her hands. Soon her skirts were soaked and her hands numb with cold. But Eliza felt God upholding her; she was confident he’d keep them safe.
On the northern bank stood William Lacey, one of those who watched the river for escaping slaves in order to help them. Time and again he thought the river would take the woman and child, but she miraculously reached the bank, heaving for breath and weak from cold and exhaustion.
When she’d rested for a few moments, the man helped her to a house on the edge of town. There she received food and dry clothing before being taken to another home and then another, along the Underground Railroad. Finally she reached the home of Quakers, Levi and Catherine Coffin, in Newport, Indiana.[1]
By the time Eliza arrived on their doorstep in 1838, the Coffins had been helping escaped slaves for more than a decade. In fact, the following year they would build a house specifically designed for their work as station masters on the Underground Railroad.
In the basement they constructed a spring-fed well, to conceal the enormous amount of water needed for their many guests. On the second floor, they built a secret room between bedroom walls, just four feet wide. Up to fourteen people could hide in the long, narrow room.
Eliza Harris was only one of more than a thousand slaves (some say 3,000) that stayed in the Coffin home on their way to Canada. Had the Coffins (or others) been caught helping runaway slaves, they would have owed a $1000 fine (which few could afford) and would have spent six months in jail (which meant no income for the family during that time). Slave hunters were known to issue death threats as well.
But the Coffins held strong convictions concerning slavery. In the 1870s Levi wrote in his memoirs, “I . . . risked everything in the work—life, property, and reputation—and did not feel bound to respect human laws that came in direct contact with the law of God.”[2]
For the introduction of Coffin’s book, William Brisbane[3] wrote the following about Levi and two other abolitionists:
“In Christian love they bowed themselves before their Heavenly Father and prayed together for the oppressed race; with a faith that knew no wavering they worked in fraternal union for the enfranchisement of their despised colored brethren, and shared together the odium attached to the name of abolitionist, and finally they rejoiced together and gave thanks to God for the glorious results of those years of persevering effort.”[4]
Should we face such hatred and endangerment in our day, may we stand in the midst of it like Levi and Catherine Coffin—steadfast and unmovable in the power of God.
Addendum:
In 1854 the Coffins visited Canada and happened to encounter a number of former slaves they’d helped. Eliza Harris was one of them–settled in her own home, comfortable and contented.
Her story may sound familiar because Harriet Beecher Stowe, a friend of the Coffins, included the slave’s harrowing escape in her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
[1] Now called Fountain City
[2] https://www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/levi-catharine-coffin-house/
[3] a doctor, minister, author, and South Carolina slaveholder who turned abolitionist and moved north where he freed his slaves
[4]https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/coffin/coffin.html
Other sources:
http://www.womenhistoryblog.com
http://www.rialto.k12.ca.us/rhs/planetwhited/AP%20PDF%20Docs/Unit%206/COFFIN1.PDF
https://mrlinfo.org/famous-visitors/Eliza-Harris.htm
Art & photo credits: http://www.nypl.getarchive.net; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.flickr.com (2); http://www.slr-a.org.uk; http://www.wikimedia.org.
From the Inside Out 
You have beautifully demonstrated here, Nancy, that we can learn so much and be inspired by the brave deeds of people from the past, doing God’s work fearlessly. It makes me all the more anxious to speak truth to power, all to bring God’s kingdom closer to earth.
Blessings, my friend!
Amen, Martha! May we act and speak with courage, as God places us in circumstances to do so.
As we face so many things in today’s world which are blatantly contrary to God’s laws this quote especially spoke to me: “I . . . risked everything in the work—life, property, and reputation—and did not feel bound to respect human laws that came in direct contact with the law of God.” And I very much appreciated learning how the Lord used the Coffins to fulfill His ultimate plan of safety for Eliza.
The Coffins’ faith, courage, strength, and perseverance do provide much for us to emulate! I was introduced to them at the Underground Railroad Museum here in Cincinnati, and became curious to learn more. Quite a bit is available on the internet, including the entirety of Levi’s Reminisces.
Sobering, suspenseful, and inspiring. Thank you for bringing Eliza’s escape alive for us in this way. May we each rise by grace to the needs before us.
You’re welcome, Laurie. With you I want to rise by God’s grace to meet the needs before us, overwhelming though they may be. ‘Reminds me of that story of the little boy throwing beached starfish back in the ocean, and a man telling him, “Why bother? With so many, you can’t possibly expect to make a difference.” And the boy’s response: “It makes a difference to this one!”
wow what a story of compassion and courage. Guess the invitation to us is would we do the same? Trust God enough to jump over the river or risk our family and income and freedom to help slaves escape? Lord I hope I would. Grant we both live out our conviction and beliefs in our present age!
Amen, Jean, to your closing statement. We can pray to that end!
I thought I recognized the story from “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – and “The King and I.” (“Run, Eliza, run!”)
This is so similar to the story of the Ten Boom family a century later and a continent away, as they hid Jews from the Nazis in a secret room in their home. It seems every generation has an opportunity for Christ-followers to choose between the laws of man and the Law of God. May we be prepared to make the right choice.
I didn’t make the connection between the Coffins and the ten Boom family. But you’re right: there are definite similarities. Amen, Annie to your closing statement. Lord, make us strong and courageous for You and in the service of Your people!
Thank you for sharing Eliza’s story and the story of the Coffin’s obedience to God and not man. I love what you share, Nancy!
Thank you, Pam. I greatly enjoy learning and sharing about these heroes of faith that aren’t so well known. They provide me with encouragement and I pray others find the same as they read.
This story read like a fast-paced, tense adventure novel! I’m sure I learned about the Underground Railroad in grade-school history but I couldn’t have explained it until now. Eliza’s successful escape against the odds and the decades-long existence of the Railroad demonstrate the power of God, even in the worst of times. I hope you keep unearthing these stories, Nancy.
Amen, Dave: God’s power is ALWAYS at work, even in the worst of times. That’s an important truth to keep in mind. I’m so glad you appreciate these heroes-of-the-faith stories. I ENJOY unearthing them!
amazing, awesome bravery and courage. i could feel myself cheering her on as you told Eliza’s story …
Eliza, and so many like her who traveled the Underground Railroad, exhibited extraordinary courage and faith in God, as did all the station masters like the Coffins and the conductors who secretly moved runaways from house to house. The system functioned for 65 years–from about 1800 to 1865. Thousands of people must have been involved!
This was so interesting, Nancy! May we be like the Coffins if faced with a dilemma like this in our future!
Indeed, Jerralea! So glad you found the post interesting.
Hi Nancy?
This is always an example of living active faith. May we have that when the time comes Thanks,
Gary
I pray so too, Gary!
This true story is a tremendous example for us today. We’re facing more and more in our culture and in our laws that go against God’s laws. May all of us who follow Christ be willing to follow Him to the extent that the Coffins did. Blessings, Nancy! Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome, Patty, and AMEN to your comments about our culture and what we may be called to do!