The William Whitney Home - 317 West Elm Street, Granville - Overview

This office exclusive circa 1830 three bedroom home was the residence of Granville abolitionist William Whitney. The home is a fine example of a center hall, side-gabled, Georgian colonial with its central walnut staircase, and two large living rooms with fireplaces on either side. A dining room with chair moulding and the kitchen complete the first level. The property has a large, private lot.

In the 1830’s and 1840’s Granville was a center of abolitionist activities. One of the more active, and well-known, abolitionists, William Whitney, lived in this home on West Elm Street. Whitney was committed to the cause and was, together with Samual White, Jr., at the head of the column of like minded residents who were marching against slavery when, “the great riot” of Granville broke out. Eggs, stones, and eventually fists were used against the anti-slavery marchers. Fortunately there were no critical injuries.

Shortly after the riot, William Whitney released a pamphlet entitled Granville Mobocracy Exposed, or a Pill for the Dough-faces (Dough-face was a slang phrase meaming a pro-southern northerner).

According to Granville historian Dr. William Utter, Whitney also was an active agent on the underground railroad. The underground railroad, which provided an escape route for slaves prior to the Civil War, had a station in Granville. Many Granville residents hid slaves in their homes and barns to help them avoid detection and continue their flight from slavery.

Sources: Granville, The Story of an Ohio Village by William T. Utter, and Granville, Ohio - A Study in Continuity and Change, Volume III, Granville Historical Society.

 

 

 

 

 

$259,900