The Underground Railroad in Southfield and the Extraordinary Story of John Sella Martin

Born in 1832, he was enslaved by 11 different enslavers before fleeing Alabama, reaching Southfield via the Underground Railroad in 1857. Here, he was sheltered and educated by local abolitionist minister, J.S.T. Milligan for six weeks before continuing his amazing life journey. This is the story of John Sella Martin, who became a highly regarded orator and minister, anti-slavery activist, colleague of Frederick Douglass and one of the most important forces in the anti-slavery movement in America and England.

Presenters: Leslie Pielack and Joy Young, Oakland County Underground Railroad Research Project

Photo of John Sella Martin in 1862, courtesy Library of Congress/Lincoln Papers