Home of Francis Jackson

Francis Jackson's home occupied one of the buildings on Hollis Street.

NPS Photo/Woods

Quick Facts

Location:

31 Hollis Street

Significance:

Home of abolitionist Francis Jackson

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Private Residence

According to historian William Siebert, Francis Jackson “reserved a room in his house, at 31 Hollis Street, for runaways and aided so many that ‘it would not be easy to number’ them.”¹ In addition to sheltering freedom seekers in his home, Jackson served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the third and final Boston Vigilance Committee created after the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law. His account book provides a powerful resource to understand the broad scope and impact of this group’s assistance to freedom seekers throughout the Fugitive Slave Law years.

Footnote

1. William Siebert, "Underground Railroad in Massachusetts," American Antiquarian Society (April, 1935) 45. https://ipswich.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/underground-railroad-massachusetts.pdf