Richard Dillingham facts for kids

Richard Dillingham (born June 18, 1823 – died June 30, 1850) was a Quaker school teacher from Peru Township, Ohio. He believed that all people should be free.

In 1848, Richard Dillingham was arrested in Tennessee. He was trying to help three enslaved people escape to freedom. He was found guilty and sent to the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville. Sadly, he died there from a serious illness called cholera.

Many people saw Dillingham as a hero for the abolitionist cause. This was a movement to end slavery. Famous people like novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, fellow Quaker Levi Coffin, and poet John Greenleaf Whittier honored him. Whittier even wrote a poem called The Cross about him.

A Brave Plan to Help Others

Richard Dillingham was in Cincinnati in December 1848. Some formerly enslaved people asked him for help. They wanted him to go to Nashville, Tennessee, to help their family members escape. These family members were enslaved by a harsh owner.

The Journey to Nashville

Dillingham knew this was a very dangerous mission. Still, he agreed to go. When he arrived in Nashville, he secretly met the enslaved people he planned to help. They made a careful plan for their escape.

The Escape Attempt

At the agreed time, the group left the city. The three enslaved people rode in a rented carriage with a free Black man driving. Dillingham rode on horseback nearby. It seemed like their path to freedom was clear.

Betrayal and Arrest

However, their plan was ruined by someone Dillingham had trusted. This person betrayed him. The entire group was stopped and arrested. This happened when they reached the bridge over the Cumberland River.

Life in Prison

Richard Dillingham was accused of helping enslaved people escape. He was found guilty and given a three-year prison sentence. He was moved from the local jail to the state prison.

Hard Labor and Illness

In prison, Dillingham had to do hard work, like sawing rocks. He was only allowed to write to his friends once every three months. His letters were checked by the prison warden. His health began to suffer, and he felt very sad.

Helping Others in Need

After nine months, Dillingham was given a new job. He became the steward, or helper, in the prison hospital. He did a good job and the prison officials were happy with his work.

The Cholera Outbreak

In the summer of 1850, a serious illness called cholera spread through the prison. Many prisoners became sick and died. Richard Dillingham worked hard to give out medicine. He cared for his fellow prisoners tirelessly. He saw many people die and be buried in a single day.

Dillingham's Final Days

Eventually, Richard Dillingham also became sick with cholera. He was attacked by the illness on a Sunday morning. He died that afternoon and was buried a short time later.

Where He Rests

The exact spot where Richard Dillingham was buried is not known today. He was buried in a cemetery on the prison grounds. Over time, the city of Nashville grew, and buildings were built over the cemetery site.