Posts tagged Huron University College

Hirim Wilson is a central figure in the research done by Huron University College’s Promise Land Project, specifically in the Historians Craft. Utilizing the skills necessary as a historian we have been continuing the transcription of his letters as well as placing his life in the context of African American history. A wonderfully short biography of Hirim Wilson is available at the Oberlin University website here.

For our purposes the following post will follow the theme of the Lane Rebels and their connection with Canada. As an active abolitionist Wilson partook in the Slavery Debates which took place over 18 days at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio beginning in February, 1834. The abolitionist cause did not begin in Ohio, but this was still one of the foundational debates which took place and caused quite a stir amongst the local magistrate. The school board as well as local citizens were concerned about this “radical” expression of abolitionism and silenced any further debates. Hirim with about 40 to 50 other students left the college and formed an agreement with the newly founded Oberlin College.

The conditions for their joining the college were as follows: 1) Oberlin accepts students of any colour, 2) the college respect Freedom of Speech, and 3) that the city not interferes with the affairs of the school. It was here under the guidance of professor of theology Charles Finney that a young Wilson would receive his theological degree. With a small capital of twenty-four dollars Finney sent Wilson to Upper Canada in 1836 to investigate the situation with the escaped slaves.

By 1850 the Fugitive Slave Act was in effect and many of the free slaves in Ohio were in serious harm. With such close proximity to Upper Canada it became a safe haven for many fugitives. Unlike the earlier Fugitive Slave Act’s slave-owners could enter different states and could force the assistance of local authorities. By this point Wilson had established many different educational institutions for fugitive slaves and blacks; with the aid of Oberlin graduates and others teachers were available for the growing populous in Canada.

The following is part of a serious on Hirim Wilson.

One of our first hands-on experiences with the practice of history was at the our trip to Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin College is important to our research because the archivist at the College provided us with the primary source documents for our research and transcription purposes. Our class’s relationship with the Oberlin College Archives is a reciprocal one, as they provide us with the documents for our research purposes and in turn we aim to provide them with accurate, completed transcriptions.

This is a good example of how historiography works. Uncovering the past does not just occur in isolation, rather it is a collaborative effort in the community of historians. The work accomplished completed provides a foundation for not only our research into the life of Hiram Wilson and the abolitionist movement in Southern Ontario and Northern Ohio, but future research as well.

The following photos are of the History 3801 class at the Oberlin College Archives.