Stephen Myers

Stephen Myers (c. 1800-February 13, 1870) was born into slavery when what some called “the peculiar institution” still existed in the State of New York. Slavery was abolished in New York in 1827. Thereafter, Myers became active in assisting freedom seekers to make their way to Canada. He also joined the organized abolition movement and helped to establish many of the Colored Men’s Conventions of the 1830s and later. Myers campaigned for voting rights through the New York State Suffrage Association. He also advocated for equal access to schools for African Americans, once suing the Albany schools over segregation. He was the superintendent of a “colored school” in the 1840s. Myers also promoted various economic development projects for African Americans, and, during the Civil War, he recruited soldiers for the United States Colored Troops.
In addition to being a “station master” and a member of the Albany Committee of Vigilance, Myers promoted abolitionism as a newspaper publisher. The Northern Star and Freeman’s Advocate, his most well-known publication, was an important voice in the crusade for freedom and black rights. Myers either published or edited at least seven other newspapers between 1842 and 1859. Myers traveled widely to promote the causes of freedom and justice. He shared the platform with notable abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass. Myers was instrumental in founding the Florence Farming Association around 1848 near Florence, New York, so that free blacks could own land and farm.
Extensive efforts have been made to restore the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Historic Site at 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany. The Myers Residence has become a center for promoting many efforts to help the public understand the Underground Railroad and abolitionism and relate that history to important issues of justice and freedom today.
Myers died on February 13, 1870, having witnessed not only the emancipation of the enslaved in the United States (the 13th Amendment) but also the passage of the 14th Amendment, which gave the ex-slaves the status of legal personhood, and the passage of the 15th Amendment (voting rights for African American males).
Stephen Myers accomplished as much as he did because his wife Harriet maintained their home when her husband was working as a steward on steam ships that plied the Hudson River, in which capacity he aided freedom seekers, or was on one of his many abolitionist speaking trips. Stephen and Harriet Myers had five children. Stephen Myers died on February 13, 1870 and is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.
The Underground Railroad History Project of the (New York) Capital Region nominated Stephen Myers. Additional information regarding Stephen Meyers and the many projects that his life has inspired can be found at undergroundrailroadhistory.org.
Milton C. Sernett PhD, National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Committee
In addition to being a “station master” and a member of the Albany Committee of Vigilance, Myers promoted abolitionism as a newspaper publisher. The Northern Star and Freeman’s Advocate, his most well-known publication, was an important voice in the crusade for freedom and black rights. Myers either published or edited at least seven other newspapers between 1842 and 1859. Myers traveled widely to promote the causes of freedom and justice. He shared the platform with notable abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass. Myers was instrumental in founding the Florence Farming Association around 1848 near Florence, New York, so that free blacks could own land and farm.
Extensive efforts have been made to restore the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Historic Site at 194 Livingston Avenue in Albany. The Myers Residence has become a center for promoting many efforts to help the public understand the Underground Railroad and abolitionism and relate that history to important issues of justice and freedom today.
Myers died on February 13, 1870, having witnessed not only the emancipation of the enslaved in the United States (the 13th Amendment) but also the passage of the 14th Amendment, which gave the ex-slaves the status of legal personhood, and the passage of the 15th Amendment (voting rights for African American males).
Stephen Myers accomplished as much as he did because his wife Harriet maintained their home when her husband was working as a steward on steam ships that plied the Hudson River, in which capacity he aided freedom seekers, or was on one of his many abolitionist speaking trips. Stephen and Harriet Myers had five children. Stephen Myers died on February 13, 1870 and is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.
The Underground Railroad History Project of the (New York) Capital Region nominated Stephen Myers. Additional information regarding Stephen Meyers and the many projects that his life has inspired can be found at undergroundrailroadhistory.org.
Milton C. Sernett PhD, National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Committee