Person Information

Biography

William Orvall Duvall was an abolitionist, lecturer, and organizer for the Western New York anti-slavery society, and supporter of the underground railroad. His home on an island in the Seneca River near Port Byron. His home was so well-known as a haven for African Americans that neighbors dubbed it "Hayti," a name that it retains today. 

Duvall married Eliza Cobb and they had four children: Henry C (born in 1837), Catherine E. (born in 1839), William O. Duvall (born in 1842), and Laura T. Duvall (born in 1843).

Duvall was a strong Whig supporter and began a correspondence with William Henry Seward in 1838. He tried to secure Port Byron votes for Seward and he urged Seward to come out publicly as an abolitionist candidate. Duvall signed at least two antislavery petitions sent to Congress. 







Found in 18630804FMS_AWS1. Lives in Mentz, NY

Letter References

Letter from Samuel Blatchford to William Henry Seward, March 17, 1852

Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, December 3, 1848

Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, October 22, 1848

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
William Orvall Duvall was an abolitionist, lecturer, and organizer for the Western New York anti-slavery society, and supporter of the underground railroad. His home on an island in the Seneca River near Port Byron. His home was so well-known as a haven for African Americans that neighbors dubbed it "Hayti," a name that it retains today. Duvall married Eliza Cobb and they had four children: Henry C (born in 1837), Catherine E. (born in 1839), William O. Duvall (born in 1842), and Laura T. Duvall (born in 1843). Duvall was a strong Whig supporter and began a correspondence with William Henry Seward in 1838. He tried to secure Port Byron votes for Seward and he urged Seward to come out publicly as an abolitionist candidate. Duvall signed at least two antislavery petitions sent to Congress. Found in 18630804FMS_AWS1. Lives in Mentz, NY
Citation Type: 
Unpublished Manuscript
Book or Monograph Title: 
Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, African American life
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Cayuga County Historian's Office
Year: 
2004-2005
Citation Notes: 
Sponsored by Auburn Historic Resources Review Board Cayuga County Historian’s Office Funded by Preserve New York (Preservation League of NYS and NYS Council on the Arts) Coordinated by Historical New York Research Associates page 244 http://www.cayugacounty.us/portals/0/history/ugrr/report/PDF/5n.pdf
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Unpublished Manuscript
Book or Monograph Title: 
Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, African American Life
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Sponsored by Auburn Historic Resources Review Board Cayuga County Historian’s Office Funded by Preserve New York (Preservation League of NYS and NYS Council on the Arts) Coordinated by Historical New York Research Associates
Year: 
2004-5
Start Page: 
244
Citation Notes: 
http://www.cayugacounty.us/portals/0/history/ugrr/report/PDF/5n.pdf
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Unpublished Manuscript
Book or Monograph Title: 
Sites Relating to the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism, African American Life
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Sponsored by Auburn Historic Resources Review Board Cayuga County Historian’s Office Funded by Preserve New York (Preservation League of NYS and NYS Council on the Arts) Coordinated by Historical New York Research Associates
Year: 
2004-5
Start Page: 
244
End Page: 
245
Citation Notes: 
http://www.cayugacounty.us/portals/0/history/ugrr/report/PDF/5n.pdf