Augustus West
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Augustus West (March 20, 1814 in Madison County, Virginia – 1887 in Fayette County, Ohio)[1] was an African-American landowner and abolitionist who is known for his mansion and compound in Ohio that served as a successful hiding place for runaway slaves along the underground railroad.[2]
To finance his real estate purchases, West and abolitionist Alexander Beatty concocted a scheme in which Beatty would sell West back into slavery and then aid in his escape, splitting the profits from the sale.[1] In 1837,[1] after three successful scams, West had enough funds to purchase 177 acres of land in Fayette County, Ohio. There he built his mansion as well as a road known as "Abolition Lane"[2] where 12[3] cabins were erected as well as a schoolhouse. Six years after moving to Ohio, he married Harriet Peyton of Culpeper, Virginia.[3] Throughout the 1840s and 50s, these served as shelter for escaped slaves. After the Civil War, they became homes for newly emancipated citizens.[1]
As of February 1999, archaeologists and historians have visited the property in hopes of locating artifacts from the cabins. In 2003, Ohio placed a historical marker at the site of the property to honor Augustus West's humanitarianism.[3]
