Robert E. Fee

Robert E. Fee (1796-1879), an active conductor in Moscow, was a member of Clermont County’s most prominent Underground Railroad family. His father Thomas Sr., brother Thomas Jr., sister Nancy and cousins in nearby Felicity are also documented conductors. Catherine Ebersole, his wife, was the sister of Jacob Ebersole who was also active in Underground Railroad activities.

Fee became involved in the rescue attempt of Fanny Wigglesworth and her four children, who were kidnapped and enslaved. After two unsuccessful attempts, he dedicated himself to helping the enslaved escape to freedom. In 1852, Fee was indicted by Pendleton County, Kentucky Grand Jury for slave stealing, however the Governor of Ohio refused to extradite him to stand trial.

The Kidnapping of Fanny Wigglesworth / Washington Township, Clermont County, Ohio

On October 30, 1842, several men broke into the home of Fanny and Vincent Wigglesworth. They kidnapped Fanny and her four children and enslaved them. They eventually were taken to Platte County, Missouri. Robert E. Fee, of Moscow, became the agent of Vincent Wigglesworth. Fee traveled to Missouri on two occasions for the purpose of bringing the family back home. Two of the kidnappers were indicted by the State of Ohio and the Governor of Ohio executed extradition papers. The two were arrested but soon released. Unfortunately, the Wigglesworth family did not return and their fate remains a mystery.

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