John Brown on Liberia Stamp in 2013

John Brown, the famous abolitionist, was named the first Postmaster of Randolph Township, Pennsylvania by President John Quincy Adams in 1828 and later reappointed by President Andrew Jackson until leaving in 1835. During this time he opened a tannery on his farm which was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. It is estimated that he was to have helped 2,500 enslaved people on their journey to Canada by transporting them in the wagon he used to move the mail. His role as the Postmaster was one of the many ways Brown contributed to his community before becoming widely known for his efforts to end slavery in the United States.

Randolph Township, PA