During slavery, the Ohio River was both a symbolic and geographical destination, separation the devastation of slavery and enlightenment of freedom. During this dreadful period, millions of Black who were enslaved escaped to the freedom of the North, using this river, which stretched from Pittsburg to the mighty Mississippi, as a crossing point. Needles to say, the cities that made their home just to the north of this river became Black Mecca, giving both solemn and hospice to the escaped slave. Thought Kentucky was technically a Southern State, the northern part of the state gave refuge to mane run away slaves. This is so prevalent in the state’s history, that a number of memorials have been placed to commemorate its participation in the struggle for freedom.
During my youth, Covington, KY, located in Northern KY and the city I was raised, endured a face-lift much as many cities go through. The stables that used house horses at the end of Scott Street next to the Suspension Bridge have given way to the River Center buildings. The used car lot at the beginning of Madison Street has moved so that Northern Kentucky Convention Center could have parking. Even though Covington, KY has changed its skyline to attract corporate revenue, the city has not abandoned its old world charm. In 1988, Covington adorned its historic Riverside Drive with several statues that commemorated those who have crossed the shores of the Ohio River in the past. Statues depicting John Roebling, designer of the first suspension bridge that connects Covington to Cincinnati and Simon Kenton, pioneer explorer and name sake of Kenton county, in which Covington lies, are just a few of the statues that add to Riverside Drive’s historic aroma. Among these life-size representations of historic Northern Kentucky figures, the statue of James Bradley, a former slave who did who followed his life-long dream to become educated, is one of the most astonishing.
James Bradley started his life as a child in Africa. Early in his life, young James was stolen from his family and brought to the Unites States. Young James arrived in South Carolina and immediately sold to a slave handler who brought him to Pendleton County. Within several months, young James was sold to Mr. Bradley, which whom James gets his surname.
James grew up on the plantation in the Northern Kentucky county of Pendleton, and by the age of eighteen, James managed the plantation. James’ master decided to move his family and the plantation to Arkansas and after the move; James sought out to purchase his freedom. James worked for his master during the day and at night worked for himself, often only able to muster a few hours of sleep during the night. After the death of his master, it took James over five years of working over time, to save seven hundred dollars and purchase his freedom. Once a free man, James crossed the Ohio River at the banks of Covington, KY. It was not too long after he taught himself how to read that James was admitted into Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Being the first African American student admitted to Lane Seminary, James was instrumental in aiding the abolitionists during the infamous Lane Debates of 1834. After the rebellion during the same year, James attended The Sheffield Institute for one year, but nothing is known of James Bradley after that.
The James Bradley Statue, created by George Danhires, is made of bronze and has the dimensions of 49″x29″x53″ with a base of 28″x8’x17″. The statue is placed on an actual park bench over looking the Ohio River on Riverside Drive in Covington, KY. Tourists and residents alike have taken pictures of themselves reading along side of Mr. Bradley or sitting on the park bench next to him. The pages that are in Mr. Bradley’s open book are blank, but they do not symbolize the emptiness of his life, but reinforce that fact that life is like an open book waiting for the written word.
The Harriett Beecher Stowe house is yet another one of Northern Kentucky treasures. This brick townhouse, fashioned in Georgian and Federal styles, is located in Washington, KY. In 1833, when owned by Marshall Key, nephew to Chief Justice John Marshall and brother to Col. Thomas Marshall who served as a Staff Officer under George Washington, his daughter became the pupil of Harriet Beecher (Stowe) (1811-1896), author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Upon a visit, Beecher (Stowe) received the inspiration for the book’s characters, “Uncle Tom” and a “Topsy”. Topsy’s real name was Jane who later married Isham Anderson. Behind the museum is a small brick structure, known as an “Indian Fort.” The Fort helped settlers ward off Indians who often crossed the Ohio River at nearby Maysville. Included in this museum are original mantels, woodworking, floor, doors, slavery artifacts, period furnishings, slave leg irons and Civil War artifacts. This museum is included on the “Underground Railroad Tours.”
