America’s First Black-Founded Town Challenged Slavery from the Illinois Frontier in the 1830s

New Philadelphia, Illinois

Most towns in the 1830s had one thing in common: white founders. But tucked away in western Illinois, a free Black man named Frank McWorter had different plans.

Here’s how New Philadelphia became the nation’s first town founded by a free African American.

From Slave to Entrepreneur

Frank was born to Juda, a young enslaved woman from West Africa. His father was likely George McWhorter, the white man who owned them both.

In 1795, McWhorter moved to Kentucky and brought 18-year-old Frank with him.

Four years later, Frank married Lucy, an enslaved woman from a nearby farm. His owner let him work for others and keep some money.

During the War of 1812, Frank worked in a saltpeter mine making gunpowder. This work helped him save money to buy his family’s freedom.

Buying Freedom for His Family

Frank bought Lucy’s freedom in 1817 for $800 while she was pregnant. This made sure their child would be born free.

Under slavery laws, children became whatever their mother was. Two years later in 1819, Frank bought his own freedom for $800 and became known as “Free Frank.”

Over many years, Frank and his family spent about $500,000 in today’s money to buy freedom for 15-22 enslaved family members.

He made dangerous trips back to Kentucky to buy relatives. He always risked being caught and sold back into slavery even though he was legally free.

The Journey to Illinois

In 1830, Free Frank, Lucy, their son Frank, and their free-born children Squire, Commodore, and Lucy Ann packed wagons and left Kentucky for Illinois, a free state.

The trip was dangerous because slave catchers could destroy freedom papers and sell them back into slavery. Illinois made formerly enslaved people pay a $1,000 bond to enter the state.

The family started their farm in Hadley Township near woods, a spring, and running creek.

Planning a New Town

In 1836, Frank bought 42 acres in Pike County from the federal government for $100. This land had been set aside for War of 1812 veterans. Frank mapped out 144 lots in a 12 by 12 square with 22 crossing streets.

He thought the location would do well from trade on the planned Illinois and Michigan Canal, finished in 1848. The town was 20 miles from Missouri, a slave state. This made it perfect for helping escaped slaves reach freedom further north.

Creating a Mixed Community

Frank sold lots to both Black and white people. This created amazing racial mixing during a time of hate.

At its peak in 1865, New Philadelphia had 160 people in 29 households. African Americans made up 30% of the population.

Black farmers worked next to white farmers, and their children went to school together and families went to the same church. The community stayed mixed even though Illinois had strict laws limiting African American rights.

Only the cemetery was separated, which was normal for 1800s communities.

Life in New Philadelphia

The town had what people needed: a post office, blacksmith shop, church that was also a school, hotel, and two shoemakers.

People grew corn, wheat, and other crops, while craftsmen provided special skills to help the frontier community.

Underground Railroad Activities

Family stories say freedom seekers arriving in New Philadelphia could get shoes and a horse. “Those McWorter boys would help you get to Canada,” according to oral history.

The community used secret signals like letting dogs chase chickens to warn people to hide. Freedom seekers sometimes swam across the Mississippi River to reach the town.

Legal Recognition and Rights

In 1837, Free Frank asked Illinois lawmakers to officially change his last name to McWorter so former slave owners couldn’t claim his Illinois property.

He dropped the “h” from his former owner’s name McWhorter.

The lawmakers passed a special law making “Frank McWorter” his legal name. This gave him rights normally kept for white men in Illinois.

This let him file lawsuits and legally marry Lucy after over 40 years together. But he still couldn’t vote.

Decline and Disappearance

In 1869, the railroad went around New Philadelphia instead of through it. The tracks went north to Baylis rather than taking the straight path between Naples, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri. Some historians think this detour was because of racism.

The railroad bypass hurt the town’s economy badly. Within eleven years, only 81 people remained. By the 1950s, all signs of the town had disappeared under farm fields.

Visiting New Philadelphia

The New Philadelphia National Historic Site is located about 4 miles east of Barry, Illinois, off U.S. Route 36 in Pike County.

A portion of I-72 in Pike County has been designated the Frank McWorter Memorial Highway.

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