It was on the underground railroad that slaves traveled from the South.
The Underground Railroad helped fugitive slaves travel north to reach places of sanctuary in free states and Canada.
The river is actually flowing North, so runaway slaves from the South would be traveling up the river.
To get to New York, more a stopping-off point than a destination, the runaway slaves traveled mostly by night and often in disguise, leaving loved ones behind.
During this time, slaves escaped from the South and travelled to the North on the 'Underground Railroad'.
Other escaped slaves traveled to non-slave Colonies (and later states) to the North, often via the Underground Railroad.
Only slaves travel to other parts of the island, and their actions are not followed in the books.
"He wants you to walk the road that so many slaves and prisoners have already traveled in the last few months-in the form of sacrifice."
Between 1839 and 1847, the Wheatons operated their house as a station on Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves travel to Canada.
To me," he said, "what it represents is the dark waters slaves traveled on.