Category Archives: Underground Railroad

Mrs. Aiton Times Two – Nancy Hunter Aiton and Mary Briggs Aiton

Posted on September 11, 2019 by lois

In June of 1925, Miss Margaret Aiton of Minneapolis donated “some twelve letters” to the Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota History Magazine described the gift as follows: “Some twelve letters written by Jane Williamson, Sister of the missionary Dr. Thomas S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Hunter, Dakota Mission, Hazlewood Mission, Hugh Doak Cunningham, Jane Smith Williamson, Kaposia Village, Lac Qui Parle Mission, Lydia Pettijohn Huggins, Marilla Hancock Holiday, Marion Robertson Hunter, Martha Houghton Hancock, Mary Napexni, Mary Smith Briggs Aiton, Minnesota Historical Society Photo Purge, Moses Newton Adams, Nancy Hunter Aiton, Nancy Jane Williamson, Nancy Rankin Adams, Sarah Rankin Hancock, Traverse des Sioux, Underground Railroad, Willie Hancock, Women in Minnesota | Leave a comment

Ann “Nancy” Margery Rankin Adams – Living Life with Moses

Posted on September 2, 2019 by lois

One of the challenges of writing about the “soul sisters” is that several of them are completely silent. They left behind no written record, no letters, no diary, no journal, and no memoir of their years with the Dakota mission. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agnes Johnson Hopkins Pond, Dakota Mission, Jane Smith Williamson, Kaposia Village, Lac Qui Parle Mission, Lucy Spooner Drake, Margaret Poage Williamson, Mary Ann Clark Longley Riggs, Mary Spooner Worcester, Moses Newton Adams, Nancy Rankin Adams, Sarah Rankin Hancock, Traverse des Sioux, Underground Railroad, Women in Minnesota | Leave a comment

Life of a Legend – The Story of Jane Smith Williamson – Part XI

Posted on November 26, 2017 by lois

While the mission attempted to deal with the fear that overwhelmed the community after the attacks at Okoboji, Iowa, and Springfield, Minnesota, Jane’s family continued to go through changes and adjustments. In September 1857, Jane’s niece, Nancy Jane Williamson, 17, … Continue reading →

Posted in Elizabeth Williamson Hunter, Jane Smith Williamson, Martha Williamson Stour, Martha Williamson Stout, Nancy Hunter Aiton, Nancy Jane Williamson, Underground Railroad, Women in Minnesota | Leave a comment

Life of a Legend – The Story of Jane Smith Williamson – Part I

Posted on August 17, 2016 by lois

Finally – my desk is cleared; my notes and papers are filed; other projects are under control and I can return to Dakota Soul Sisters. I’ve met so many people over the past two years who have told me how … Continue reading →

Posted in Jane Smith Williamson, Ohio, Ripley, Underground Railroad | 1 Comment

Life of a Legend – Introduction to the Story of Jane Smith Williamson

Posted on March 25, 2014 by lois

All of the missionary women whose stories have been recorded in Dakota Soul Sisters to this point came to the Dakota mission when they were young. Most were new brides; others were single women who came to experience the adventure … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Woolworth, Jane Smith Williamson, Jeff Williamson, John LaBatte, Kaposia Village, Lac Qui Parle Mission, Mary Ann Clark Longley Riggs, Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society Photo Purge, Minnesota History, Ohio, Stephen Osman, U.S. Dakota War of 1862, Underground Railroad, Women in Minnesota | 1 Comment

Fearless Fanny – The Story of Fanny Huggins Pettijohn – Part I

Posted on November 15, 2013 by lois

One of the most rewarding things about investigating the women whose stories are told in Dakota Soul Sisters is uncovering details about their lives and personalities that are not always immediately evident in the readily accessible historic records. All I … Continue reading →

Posted in Dakota Mission, Fanny Huggins Pettijohn, Lac Qui Parle Mission, Lydia Pettijohn Huggins, Minnesota History, Underground Railroad, Women in Minnesota | 1 Comment

Margaret’s Ohio Home

Posted on August 10, 2012 by lois

On Christmas Eve 1831, Dr. Thomas Williamson signed the papers to buy a lovely home in Ripley, Ohio for his wife Margaret and their growing family. Thomas was a well-respected physician, the son of a Presbyterian pastor, and Margaret was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dakota Mission, Margaret Poage Williamson, Ohio, Underground Railroad, Women in Minnesota | Leave a comment