The Library of Virginia has the records of the Virginia Canals and
Navigations Society.  Here is a link to the catalog record for the
collection:

http://eagle.vsla.edu/cgi-bin/bible.gateway?authority=0107-12980&conf=01
0000++++++++++++++

James R. Greve
Archivist
The Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
(804)692-3752
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-----Original Message-----
From: Julie Rowand [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 9:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Dismal Swamp Canal and the Underground Railroad


Hi all:

I recently joined the list serve.  I am a Visitor Services Specialist at
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.  I am working on a
nomination of the Great Dismal Swamp to the National Park Service's
Underground Railroad Network.  I have found lots of information
regarding the swamp and some information referencing the canal.

Does anyone have any primary sources that would provide a link between
the Dismal Swamp Canal and the Underground Railroad?  I have heard that
a Union officer was using the canal to transport escaped slaves to port
cities or a camp, but I have no documentable source at this time.

The two I have so far are:
   Moses Grandy- a slave who, as a canal boatman, earned enough money to
   purchase his freedom.
   Frank- a slave owned by Joseph Banks, who ran away and was discovered
   working on a flatboat on the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Julie Rowand
Visitor Services Specialist
Great Dismal Swamp NWR
[log in to unmask]
757-986-3705

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