Isabelle Hanning ’25, history and literature, has found her passion in uncovering and honoring the legacy of Black figures within the Underground Railroad, specifically in Ohio. Through her work on a class project and participation in Capital University’s Summer Scholars program, her research has not only deepened her understanding of this pivotal period but has also inspired her to bring to light the often-overlooked stories of Black figures who played crucial roles in Ohio’s history.
Last spring, Hanning’s mentor, Andrew Carlson, Ph.D., professor and chair of history, invited her to join a collaborative class project to create a documentary about a Black figure involved in the Underground Railroad. The project, which brought together three history majors, including Hanning, and several film majors, centered on Joshua McCarter Simpson, an abolitionist from Zanesville, Ohio - her hometown.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Zanesville, Hanning said that despite the town’s significant role in the Underground Railroad, Simpson’s legacy was not taught in schools. This realization motivated her to ensure that stories like his receive the recognition they deserve. “Simpson wrote three books, but no one hears about that. He helped a lot of people,” she said.
As she delved into research for the documentary, Hanning discovered information about Simpson that few knew before - such as his birthplace and writings previously inaccessible to the public. The research quickly expanded beyond the initial scope, and the students realized they were uncovering a much larger story. The project grew into not just a documentary, set for release in December, but also a book compiling Simpson’s collected works.
“I realized that there are so many stories, not just Simpson’s, but countless other Black figures that no one hears about,” said Hanning. “People were risking their lives if they got caught and they still did it, they still helped others.”
Recognizing her opportunity to contribute to the historical record, she decided to focus her efforts on highlighting the contributions of Black communities in Ohio for Capital University’s Summer Scholars.
“When I applied, I didn’t expect to get accepted, but when I did, I was so happy to make an impact in a way that I couldn’t have done before,” said Hanning.
Throughout her research, Hanning encountered challenges in finding accurate information. She observed that many accounts of the Underground Railroad disproportionately highlighted the contributions of white abolitionists like Levi Coffin, often called the “president of the Underground Railroad.” While Coffin’s role is frequently celebrated, Hanning found that these narratives often overshadowed the contributions of free Black communities who supported one another in their fight for freedom.
To counteract these biases, Hanning shifted her approach, focusing on oral histories and documentation written by the Black figures themselves. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 led to the destruction of much of the physical documentation related to the Underground Railroad, making oral histories a crucial source for reconstructing the past.
“In my research, I decided that it would be important to look at the demographics of Ohio, so I looked at census data. I was able to find data for counties for four decades: 1820, 1840, 1850, and 1860,” said Hanning.
Her findings revealed that Hamilton County consistently had the highest concentration of Black communities in each decade, demonstrating how freedom seekers moved to places where they could find support and build communities. For example, Hanning discovered that Cincinnati was home to significant Black settlements like Little Africa, known as the “Gateway to Freedom” for those who came up through Kentucky.
“These Black figures were risking their lives to help others,” said Hanning, emphasizing the courage and commitment of those who built churches, homes, and schools to support their communities. “Education was a big thing. The first way to resist being mistreated is knowing how to read, how to write, and how to proclaim your thoughts.”
“Joshua McCarter Simpson was quoted in one of his books, ‘If you have two coats, sell one coat and buy yourself an education.’ He walked 150 miles on foot from Stockport, Ohio, to Oberlin, Ohio, to get a basic high school education. He went to Oberlin Institute and then he came to Zanesville,” she said.
Hanning believes that the stories of Black communities in Ohio, particularly those connected to the Underground Railroad, are vital parts of history that have been lost over time.
“Columbus was huge on the Underground Railroad. I think it’s so interesting to see such a big part of our history, a struggle that many Black citizens went through, just buried over time,” said Hanning. “I want to bring that to light in every single way.”
For more information about Capital University’s Summer Scholars program, visit http://5umy.xyschool.net/academics/experiential-learning/undergraduate-research/summer-scholars-program/.