Hello Judy & Others,

If you haven't seen it, a brief overview of UGRR activities in the area where the Piatt family was located may be seen at the link below.

My UGRR research and understanding of the Piatt's and their UGRR activities centered around the wife of Judge Benjamin Piatt, Elizabeth Barnett Piatt. It was her family, the Barnett's, that were anti-slavery and part of the early abolition movement in both their home state of Kentucky & Ohio.

Judge Benjamin Piatt is recorded as having assisted slave owners in the return of escaped runaway slaves even going beyond his role as a Judge sworn to enact the codes of the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1792 & 1850.

Your rememberance " I remember the story of Elizabeth helping slaves. I also remember being told of a white flag on a stick which could be seen at night. In my mind it should have been large enough to be seen from a distance." agrees with the story of there being a "lawn jockey" with arm upraised that would have a flag placed in his hand when Judge Piatt was away from the home and it was safe for runaways to be temporarily housed on the Piatt property.

The Donn Piatt of your postings was a son of Judge Benjamin & Elizabeth Barnett Piatt. Donn Piatt also became a federal Judge.

Thanks for your posting and sharing of those informative links.

Art Thomas