The settlement was along the Underground Railway route and fugitives could decide to stay or continue up North after resting. Anti-Abolitionist Aunt Polly was offered land and settled in Africa starting a small farm to sustain herself.
As they escaped, fugitives often passed through her land, she witnessed various attacks by the anti-abolitionists. Realizing that they were not being helped by any external means, Aunt Polly decided to take matters into her own hands to protect, rescue and help runaway slaves.
She dressed herself up as a weak old lady who would not be attacked. For the anti-abolitionists, older people were of no interest and were often left alone. She carried a cloth which she wrapped around her shoulder to hide her butcher knife and a kettle of boiling water. With her kitchen weapons, Aunt Polly managed to fight off several slave capturers along the Underground Railroad.
