Watch the video created by Sydney Spier, a Roslyn Landmark Society 2025 Gardiner Young Scholar, here.
Oftentimes when people are asked where the “Underground Railroad” was, they will immediately tell you that it was in the southern states of America. But contrary to this popular belief, the network continued far up North to New York and even on Long Island– including a stop at the Roslyn Grist Mill. Established in the 18th century, the Underground Railroad was a network series of passageways, secret routes, and safe houses to help guide runaway African American slaves to freedom.
The ultimate goal was to enable escape into either free northern states or Canada. So, how did Roslyn become involved? From 1849 to 1916, the Grist Mill located in Old Northern Blvd in Roslyn was owned and operated by members of the Hicks Family, specifically Benjamin D. Hicks. The Hicks family shared a long history of aiding runaway slaves. Benjamin Hicks and local Quakers assisted escapees by leading them at night to an awaiting boat behind the mill. During high tide, the boat would quietly set sail and carry these passengers across the Long Island Sound.
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