William Still (1821-1902)
In 1847 Still found a job as a clerk and janitor for the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery. He soon began aiding
fugitive slaves, often sheltering them until they could find their way further north. One fugitive was his older brother, Peter, who had been left behind when his mother escaped forty years earlier. These experiences led William to save careful records about the people he helped. Later Still purchased real estate, opened a store selling stoves, and later founded a successful coal business. All the records he wrote and saved of all the fugitive slaves he helped is the a major reason we know so much about the UGRR.
fugitive slaves, often sheltering them until they could find their way further north. One fugitive was his older brother, Peter, who had been left behind when his mother escaped forty years earlier. These experiences led William to save careful records about the people he helped. Later Still purchased real estate, opened a store selling stoves, and later founded a successful coal business. All the records he wrote and saved of all the fugitive slaves he helped is the a major reason we know so much about the UGRR.