4. High Street District/Bayly Cabin

Lizzy Amby’s Escape to Freedom

One of the oldest buildings in Cambridge, the Bayly home was built sometime in the mid-18th century and moved to Cambridge. Based on archaeology and analysis by architectural historians, the one-room cabin behind the house appears to have initially functioned as a storehouse or shed; however, late 19th century artifacts suggest the cabin served as a home for at least some period of time. Due to the multiuse function of out buildings with enslaved workers, use of the cabin as seasonal and/or temporary sleeping quarters during the mid-19th century should not be ruled out.

On October 17, 1857, Lizzie Amby, a woman enslaved by Dr. Alexander Bayly, left the Bayly House with her husband, Nat, and ran off with 13 others from Cambridge. They used safe houses, temporarily stopping to rest and gather supplies and money as they made their way north along the Underground Railroad. At one stop, an abolitionist asked Nat if Lizzie would fight for her freedom; he replied, “I have heard her say she would wade through blood and tears for her freedom.” We know that they arrived safely in New York because Nat wrote a letter, dated June 10, 1858, to his mother in Baltimore letting her know they were doing well.