Susan Richardson

Headstone of Susan Richardson, from a bird's eye point of view. Susan played a prominent role in the Galesburg community, where while free from enslavement she spent most of her time. 

Susan Richardson’s commonly known story, passed through generations, is often told as follows: Susan was a runaway slave with her three children, and they resided in Galesburg to seek freedom. She was soon targeted by a slave catcher who captured her three boys and was given the choice to either stay in Galesburg as free or save her children. According to legend, she abandoned her boys and then bought a home in town for $15, became a tailor, and started her own business.

Susan’s commonly known story is a manipulated version of her true identity, which benefits the image of Knox College and Galesburg communities.

Angle of Susan's grave to capture the height of her headstone. Susan became a ‘conductor’ of the Underground Railroad in Galesburg. Susan also helped in establishing Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church at 153 E. Tompkins Street in Galesburg, Illinois. 

Knox College and Galesburg pride themselves on their deep abolitionist roots, claiming to be founded by “anti-slavery social reformers.” The common telling of Susan’s story paints both communities as idealistic and progressive. This is achieved by presenting the idea that Susan chose to stay in Galesburg over saving her children, making Galesburg the better option when comparing the two. Leaving out the true complexity of this situation and slave/slave catcher dynamics dehumanizes Susan and the core of who she is for the image of Galesburg and Knox College to thrive. 

Taking these ideas into consideration reveals buried lines of racism embedded into the history of these communities, which is manifested by the silencing of her voice. Susan’s headstone was donated by Knox Alumni and the Friends of Hope Cemetery in 2004. Giving Susan a proper gravesite manifests a step in a better direction to take a more rightful approach to portray Susan, allowing new conversation to spark. 

However, direct and clear action must be taken to address the chronic unjust representation of who Susan Richardson was and how Galesburg and Knox College thrive off the myth of Susan Richardson.