In the heart of Cincinnati's historic College Hill, the Samuel and Sally Wilson House emerges as a poignant relic from a transformative era. Erected in 1849, this Greek Revival residence serendipitously evolved into a haven on the Underground Railroad, providing refuge for fugitive slaves until 1852. The Wilson family, initially drawn to College Hill for its educational allure, left an enduring imprint on American education, religion, politics, and civic life. Notably, Mary Jane Wilson Pyle, Harriet Nesmith Wilson, and Joseph Gardner Wilson were fervent abolitionists, actively supporting those in pursuit of freedom. Located at 1502 Aster Place, their home is one of only two in Cincinnati acknowledged on the National Historic Places list for its Underground Railroad connections. Now a private residence, it silently encapsulates the fortitude and resilience of a family committed to justice, serving as a tangible link to a pivotal epoch in the United States' struggle against slavery. You can learn more about the underground railroad in the video.
Landmark Name
Location
Year Established
Significance
Samuel and Sally Wilson House
1502 Aster Place, Cincinnati, Ohio
1849
A registered historic building that served as a station on the Underground Railroad.
Architectural Style
Historic Uses
Notable Residents
Contributions
Greek Revival
Single Dwelling
Ten members of the Wilson family, including four adult children, three grandchildren, and an aunt
Made important contributions to the history of the community through their leadership in American educational, religious, political and civic events.
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Located in the historic College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, the Samuel and Sally Wilson House stands as a testament to a bygone era marked by the resilience of a family committed to the abolitionist cause. The neighborhood, experiencing a transformation from the 1840s to the 1870s, attracted affluent merchants and businessmen, culminating in the establishment of a prestigious rural village adorned with large homes on spacious lots. The educational magnetism of two colleges in College Hill drew the attention of abolitionist Presbyterian educators, including Samuel and Sally Wilson.
The Wilsons, staunch Presbyterians with abolitionist views, had faced criticism in Reading, Ohio, for their principled stance. Undeterred, they seized the opportunity presented by the educational institutions in College Hill. Two of their seven children had previously attended the Cary Academy in the neighborhood, setting the stage for a deeper connection. In 1848, their daughter Mary became a charter faculty member at the Ohio Female College in College Hill, a pioneering institution that admitted women and employed female faculty.
In 1849, the Wilsons constructed their Greek Revival home in College Hill, marking the beginning of its transformation into a pivotal station on the Underground Railroad, offering sanctuary to fugitive slaves until at least 1852. This residence housed ten family members, including four adult children, three grandchildren, and an aunt. In the embrace of these walls, the Wilson family made enduring contributions to the community's history, leaving an indelible mark on American educational, religious, political, and civic events.
The abolitionist fervor of three Wilson siblings—Mary Jane Wilson Pyle, Harriet Nesmith Wilson, and Joseph Gardner Wilson—is chronicled in numerous sources. Mary, widowed in 1848, had been a dedicated teacher at the College since then. Meanwhile, Harriet, the youngest daughter, dedicated three decades to teaching in local public schools, residing in the Wilson house from 1849 until her remarkable longevity, passing away at the age of 95 in 1920. Joseph, the youngest son, a local professor, lived at home until 1852, contributing to the Underground Railroad efforts by collecting apparel and obtaining disguises for runaway slaves.
While the identities of the other four adults in the household during the Underground Railroad era remain elusive in existing documentation, historical records from the Cincinnati Historic Society affirm that the entire Wilson family actively participated in the abolitionist movement. They provided essential aid to Blacks seeking freedom, supplying not only food, clothing, and shelter but also a crucial hiding place.
The enduring significance of the Wilson house is underscored by its distinction as one of only two properties in Cincinnati with a National Historic Place listing specifically acknowledging its role in the Underground Railroad. The other notable property is the Harriet Beecher Stowe house in Walnut Hills. Today, the Samuel and Sally Wilson House, located at 1502 Aster Place in Cincinnati, Ohio, stands as a private residence, not open to the public, preserving within its walls a rich tapestry of history—a tangible link to the bravery and resilience of those who fought against the institution of slavery in the United States.
