In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, information began to appear in the local press of individuals who participated in the networks of assistance for the freedom seekers whose journeys brought them through Paterson. These first hand accounts were published into the 1910s. Written by white men, these lists were predominately focusing on the activity of other white men. The attribution made it into a county history. In 1901, historian William Nelson included his observations. In a chapter about the treatment of the enslaved in New Jersey in the early 18th century, Nelson observed, “This town was a well-recognized “station” on the road by which runaway slaves from the South were helped on their way to Canada and freedom. John Avison, Darius Wells, Isaac Van Blarcom, Henry M. Low, Josiah P. Huntoon, Nathaniel Lane, and Alexander H. Freeman were among the anti-slavery men in Paterson early in the present century, who were ready to take great risks to aid the fugitives on their flight toward the North star.” It was repeated in the 1920 history by William Nelson and Charles A. Shriner, titled “History and Paterson and Its Environs (The Silk City).” Two African American operatives were also identified. William Van Rensalier’s descendants have stories of participation and John Kline, and his family, also were noted participants. The individuals whose history is described below are the ones with the most documentation uncovered to date. It is anticipated that the others in the lists of participants will be explored, and other names will surface.