An inked manuscript note/document written on a half letter sheet of glazed period paper (5.75’ x 8 inches) by ‘Col. Jack Stone’ to ‘David Putnam’ reading: ‘Transportation Master/of the Underground Railroad/Station/Harmar, Washington Co. Ohio./David Putnam Belpre Friday Morning/Business is arranged for Saturday night/be on the lookout and if practicable let a carriage come to meet the caravan/August, 1843 from Col. Jack Stone.’ It is obvious that Jack, the engineer is bring slaves (‘caravan’) across the river and wants David, the station master to meet them with a carriage. John (Jack) Stone (1795-1884) of Belpre, Ohio was helping slaves to freedom beginning in 1820. In 1845 the Wood Co. Virginia Militia thought to frighten and deter him by placing cannon in Parkersburg across the Ohio River pointing at his home in Washington County, Ohio, which overlooked the Ohio River. Jack was not bothered and built fake cannon from logs and an old wood butter churn, painted it black and pointed it at the Virginia cannon, and caused quite an incident. Stone ferried many Virginia slaves to freedom across the Ohio River before the Civil War. Stone was appointed a Colonel in the Ohio Militia just before the outbreak of the war with Mexico in 1848. He was the son of Revolutionary War Veteran Captain Jonathan Stone. David Putnam Jr. (1808-1892) was born in Fort Harmar, Ohio (now a part of Marietta) the great-grandson of Major General Israel Putnam and great-nephew of General Rufus Putnam. David was the leader of the Underground Railroad in Marietta and grew up with the movement. He owned a mercantile business in Hamar which was quite successful. In 1847, David Putnam was sued by Virginia plantation owner George Washington Henderson. Henderson claimed Putnam had influenced nine of his slaves to run away. David had a house near his where he hid escaping slaves. The suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Columbus, and was dismissed in 1852. Both men were important members of this underground anti-slavery organization. This is a very rare document from this organization that actually uses the name.

Even toning and slight insect damage along left margin with some splits at edges of paper.