Madronia and the Network of Freedom
On April 5, 2011, Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga was added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom sites. Madronia Cemetery is the burial site of Mary A. Brown, wife of abolitionist John Brown. The Network to Freedom sites program is being implemented by the National Park Service to coordinate preservation and education efforts nationwide by integrating local historical places, museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground Railroad. The program is based on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998.
Mary A. Brown was born 194 years ago on April 15, 1817. She bought property in Saratoga in 1881, and lived there briefly before her death. She was interred in Madronia Cemetery. The Saratoga Historical Foundation commemorated her birth date with an event this last Friday, April 15, 2011 at the museum.
There appear to be two photographs of her that are archived at the Library of Congress, and reproduced on various web sites. The one below appears on the Virginia Historical Society web site.
Mary A. Brown and children