Laura Smith Haviland
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| Laura Smith Haviland | |
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 Haviland with "Iron Arguments" (slave irons)
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| Born | December 20, 1808 Kitley Township, Ontario |
| Died | April 20, 1898 Grand Traverse County, Michigan |
| Occupation | abolitionist, suffragette, temperance worker |
| Spouse | Charles Haviland,Jr (1800-1845) |
| Parents | Daniel Smith (1785-1845) Sene Blancher Smith (1787-1845) |
| Children | Harvey S.Haviland (1826-1847) Daniel S. Haviland (1828-1917) Ester M. Haviland (1830-1900) Joseph Blancher Haviland (1835-?) Laura Jane Haviland (1837-1898) Almira Anne Haviland (1839-1913) Lavina A Haviland (1844-1845) |
Laura Smith Haviland was one of the most important women in the history of the Underground Railroad. She helped guide thousands of slaves to freedom. She wrote:
- "It is due to my parents to say, if I have been instrumental, through the grace of God, to bless his poor and lowly of earth, by adapting means to ends in relieving suffering humanity, it is largely owing to their influence."[1].
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[edit] Early Years
Laura was born on December 20, 1808 in Kitley Township, Ontario. Her parents were Daniel Smith(1785-1845), an approved minister in the Society of Friends, and Sene Blancher Smith(1787-1845).[2] She grew up in the Society of Friends, which is also know as Quakers. In 1815, they moved to Cambria, Niagara County, Western New York.
She loved to read and became especially interested in a book written by John Woolman about the slave trade. About the book she wrote:
- "My sympathies became too deeply enlisted for the poor negroes who were thus enslaved for time to efface."[1]
At age sixteen, Laura met Charles Haviland,Jr(1800-1845),[2] a young man who was a devout quaker and whose father and mother were both acknowledged ministers in the Society of Friends. Charles and Laura were married November 11, 1825.[1] Laura gave birth to a son, Harvey S.Haviland(1826-1847), and then another son, Daniel S. Haviland(1828-1917).[2] In September, 1829, Laura and Charles, with their two sons, moved to Raisin, Lenawee County in the Michigan Territory, within three miles of her parents.[1] Laura had five more children, Ester M. Haviland(1830-1900), Joseph Blancher Haviland(1835-?), Laura Jane Haviland(1837-1898), Almira Anne Haviland(1839-1913) and Lavina A Haviland(1844-1845).[2] She raised her family in a small log cabin.
[edit] Life's work
Laura's family, along with others, joined Elizabeth Margaret Chandler, who had organized the Logan Female Anti-Slavery Society, the first anti-slavery organization in the state of Michigan.[3] Due to both Laura’s and Charles’s active involvement in the anti-slavery movement, they decided to leave the Society of Friends, and join an antislavery group of Methodists called the Wesleyans.[4]
Laura and Charles had many concerns for the children who were orphaned in the county. In one of their most significant accomplishments, they founded a school,the Raisin Institute in 1837, and demanded that it be open to all, regardless of race, creed, or sex. It was the first integrated school to open its doors to blacks and anyone else who just wanted to learn in Michigan.[4]
The couple also created the first Underground Railroad station in Michigan[5] The station aided escaped slaves into Canada to regain their freedom. All of their help to the slaves put the Havilands at great risk because they were in violation of the Fugitive Slave Law. Over the years an estimated 40,000 to 100,000 slaves passed through their stop on the Underground Railroad.
Laura also founded a school with her sister in Toledo, Ohio as well as a school and church in Windsor, Canada.
In 1845 and epidemic of erysipelas killed her mother and father, her husband, her sister, and her baby. At age thirty-six she was a widow with seven children to take care of.[6]
Even though she faced terrible losses in her personal life she was able to keep helping the antislavery cause. In about 1846 she was even placed on a wanted poster with a $3,000 prize due to her efforts. Although, many southerners were upset at what she was doing she still traveled around the country for her cause.
She traveled to Washington, DC and Kansas to aid refugees and help to establish educational institutes for them. She became a representative for the Freedman’s Aid Bureau, and was paid for the first time for her work.[5] Laura worked along side Sojourner Truth while working at the Freedmen's Hospital in Washington D.C. They went to get some needed supplies and Laura suggested they take a street car back. Sojourner said:
- "As Mrs. Haviland signaled the car, I stepped to one side as if to continue my walk and when it stopped I ran and jumped aboard. The conductor pushed me back, saying, "Get out of the way and let this lady come in.' I said I am a lady too. We went with no further opposition til we were obliged to change cars. A man coming out as we were going into the next car, asked if 'niggers were allowed to ride.' The conductor grabbed me by the shoulder and jerking me around, ordered me to get out. I told him I would not."
- "Mrs. Haviland took hold of my other arm and said, 'Don't put her out.' The conductor asked if I belonged to her. 'No,'replied Mrs. Haviland, 'She belongs to humanity.[6]"
Laura Smith Haviland not only combated slavery, she had concern for all of the disavantaged. She became an outspoken advocate for the suffrage movement, and was a leader in organizing the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Michigan.[3]
[edit] In her honor
Laura Haviland died on April 20,1898 in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.[2] She is buried next to her husband in the Raisin Valley Cemetery in Adrian, Michigan. In honor of her efforts, two cities have been named for her; Haviland, Kansas and Haviland, Ohio. A statue of Laura Haviland stands in front of the city hall in Adrian, Michigan.[6] It has an inscription that reads:
- "A Tribute to a Life Consecrated to the Betterment of Humanity."
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Laura Haviland Page. Life's Work. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e Laura Smith Haviland Page. Rootsweb, World Connect. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
- ^ a b Laura Haviland Page. Michigan Women's Hall of Fame site. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
- ^ a b Laura Haviland Page. History rootsweb. Retrieved on October 9, 2006.
- ^ a b Laura Haviland page. Learning to Give. Retrieved on January 6, 2006.
- ^ a b c Laura Haviland page. Haviland history. Retrieved on January 6, 2006.
[edit] External links
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Haviland, Laura Smith |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | abolitionist, suffragette |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 20, 1808 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Kitley Township, Ontario |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 20, 1898 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Grand Traverse County, Michigan |
