In researching their new book, “Slavery, Friends, and Freedom in Bucks County,” authors Pat Mervine and Joe Coleman have uncovered dozens of untold stories about Bucks County people and places involved with the Underground Railroad. They have been able to link Bucks County to daring escapes, challenges to the Fugitive Slave Act, and even an infamous Supreme Court decision, all of which made national headlines. Of wider interest to all of Southeastern PA are the federal laws and events that sparked an influx of border crossings of freedom seekers, federal marshals, and kidnappers, the growth of the abolition movement, and our state’s resistance to social injustice. These stories have surprising relevance to events happening today. The book, “Slavery, Friends, and Freedom in Bucks County,” will be available for purchase; the full purchase price of $30 goes to the African American Museum of Bucks County’s Capital Campaign. Pat’s book will be our selection for the TPUUF book discussion in September and Pat will join us in-person for the discussion!
